Early add-on therapy with PCSK9 inhibitor appears safe in patients post heart attack (Common alirocumab with high statin use = 2X greater reduction in plaque measures)

Medical Xpress / American College of Cardiology's 71st Annual Scientific Session / JAMA ^ | Apr. 4, 2022 | Lorenz Räber et al

[ConservativeMind]

Compared with a placebo, the addition of the injectable cholesterol-lowering drug alirocumab to high-intensity statin treatment in patients who have had a heart attack resulted in twofold greater reductions in three key measures of plaque vulnerability that signal risk for future cardiac events, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 71st Annual Scientific Session.

The trial is the first to examine the effect of the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab on "vulnerable plaques" (fatty deposits in arteries that are considered likely to cause future cardiac events) using three imaging tests that assess the probability of future cardiac events in patients recovering from a heart attack. The study met its primary endpoint—a reduction in percent atheroma volume (PAV), which is a measure of cholesterol plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.

"Following early initiation of alirocumab on top of high-intensity statin therapy in a high-risk population with acute myocardial infarction, we observed a twofold regression of coronary atherosclerosis and stabilization of high-risk plaques when compared with treatment with statins alone," said Lorenz Räber, MD.

Most heart attacks are caused by cholesterol deposits in the coronary artery that are covered by a thin, fibrous cap. A rupture in this cap can potentially lead to a coronary blockage that results in a heart attack.

About 1 in 5 people who have had a heart attack will be readmitted to the hospital with a second cardiac event within five years.

PCSK9 inhibitors boost the ability of the liver to clear low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—or "bad" cholesterol—from the body, thereby lowering levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

"These findings provide insights to support more-frequent, early and targeted use of alirocumab on top of high-intensity statin therapy in patients who have had a heart attack and are at risk for a second one," Räber said.

[ConservativeMind]

This is another soft plaque reduction option.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This potentially high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to implement for your benefit.

Now keeping a new list (“Common/Top Issues”) for conditions expected to only concern at least 1% of the population. Ask to be on either the “Common/Top Issues” or “Everything” list.

Please email or private message me if you want on or off of a list and of which list you desire.