Lipid highlights from the 2024 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions included positive outcomes for bempedoic acid in statin-intolerant patients and a inclisiran-first strategy for patients with atherosclerosis. The presentations are reported by Dr Erin Michos, associate director of preventive cardiology, Johns Hopkins University. Dr Michos begins with an update of the CLEAR Outcomes trial, which examined bempedoic acid, a nonstatin inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, in patients who had cardiovascular disease or were at high risk of developing it. The trial found that bempedoic acid safely reduced cardiovascular events by 13% compared with placebo — findings of particular value for patients unable or unwilling to take guideline-recommended doses of statins. Commendably, the trial enrolled 48% women and 17% Hispanic/Latinx persons. Dr Michos also reports on a trial investigating an inclisiran-first strategy vs usual care in patients with atherosclerosis. The reduction in LDL cholesterol was 60% for patients in the inclisiran upfront arm vs only 7% for patients provided with usual care. In closing, Dr Michos discusses the TACTIC trial, which was an evaluation of a technology-assisted web application used to qualify patients for nonprescription statin administration.
--
Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director of Women's Cardiovascular Health Research, Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim; Edwards Lifesciences; Esperion; Merck; Medtronic; New Amsterdam; Novo Nordisk; Novartis; Pfizer