Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Two studies presented at the virtual American College of Cardiology Scientific Session highlight new options for LDL cholesterol reduction in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

A pooled analysis of three phase 3 trials assessing inclisiran found that the agent safely lowered LDL in patients with several conditions including atherosclerotic CVD, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD risk equivalents, according to data presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session.

Tolerability and safety of evolocumab (Repatha, Amgen) in patients with severe familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

The FDA has approved bempedoic acid for reducing LDL as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic CVD, according to the agency’s website and an alert from Esperion Therapeutics.

Genetic determinants of LDL levels may increase the risk for CVD among patients with hypercholesterolemia, according to a study published in JAMA Cardiology.

Evolocumab effectively lowered plasma LDL in patients with homozygous or severe heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, according to long-term data from the TAUSSIG trial published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Healio and Cardiology Today compiled a list of the most-read articles on updates in genetics and CVD published in 2019.

The cornerstone of CV prevention is risk assessment because patients at higher risk for atherosclerotic events typically derive a higher absolute benefit from preventive therapies.

by Dharmesh Patel, MD, MBBS, FACC, FACP, FASPC, FNLA

A global consortium of representatives from more than 40 countries issued a call to action to address gaps in screening and guideline-based care for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.