Improving Outcomes for Patients with Severe Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) elevation, is a major driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Lipid-lowering therapies (mainly in combination with statins) are the primary treatment approach to lower LDL-C and reduce CVD risk. However, intensive statin therapy lowers CVD risk only by ~50%, leaving many patients at excessively high residual CVD risk.

Ezetimibe, which reduces absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, reduces LDL-C levels by an additional 20%-25% and modestly improves clinical outcomes when added to statin therapy. Recently approved PCSK9 inhibitors also produce robust LDL-C reduction when co-administered with statins and have been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with ASCVD. Improving Outcomes for Patients with Severe Hypercholesterolemia will explore all of these treatment options and their safety/efficacy profiles, while also providing participants with insights on practical applications in clinical practice to improve the outcomes of their patients with severe or difficult-to-treat hypercholesterolemia.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES - At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

- Evaluate the extent of residual CVD risk to which ASCVD patients are exposed, and treat additional CVD risk elements as appropriate
- Conduct appropriate diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia and implement appropriate treatment and rationale for cascade screening of the families
- Differentiate the clinical properties of new and emerging pharmacologic approaches to reduce LDL-C and lower CVD risk
- Analyze the potential utility of new LDL-C lowering agents used in combination with statins to reduce CVD risk in patients who have ASCVD