Effectiveness of a combination of ezetimibe and statins in patients with acute coronary syndrome and multiple comorbidities: A 6-year population-based cohort study

Is it Time for Single-Pill Combinations in Dyslipidemia?

Despite the availability of lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) that are safe and effective, the overall rate of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control at a population level in real-life studies is low. Higher-intensity treatment, earlier intervention, and longer-term treatment have all been shown to improve outcomes. However, in clinical practice, actual exposure to LLT is a product of the duration and intensity of, and adherence to, the treatment. To increase exposure to LLTs, the European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommended a stepwise optimization of LLTs by increasing statin intensity to the maximally tolerated dose, with subsequent addition of ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. Evidence from randomized controlled trials performed in a range of patients suggested that adding ezetimibe to statins rather than doubling the statin dose resulted in significantly more patients at LDL-C goal and significantly fewer patients discontinuing treatment because of adverse events. In addition, data showed that combination treatments effectively increased exposure to LLT. Despite these data and recommendations, optimization of LLT is often limited to increasing statin dose. Therapeutic inertia and poor treatment adherence are significant and prevalent barriers to increasing treatment exposure. They are known to be influenced by pill burden and complexity of treatment. Single-pill combinations provide a strategic approach that supports the intensification of treatment without increasing pill burden or treatment complexity. Single-pill combinations, compared with free associations, have been shown to increase the adherence to LLT and the percentage of patients at LDL-C goal.

Efficacy of Statin/Ezetimibe for Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Asian Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Several clinical trials have investigated the effect of statin/ezetimibe combination therapy on secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the Asian population.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to summarize study results regarding the effect of statin/ezetimibe combination therapy on lipid parameters and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) biomarkers in ASCVD patients from Asian countries.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for relevant papers published from 2008 to June 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that (1) were conducted in ASCVD patients in Asian countries; (2) examined the effects of statin/ezetimibe combination therapies compared with a control group; and (3) reported sufficient data on lipid parameters and HsCRP biomarkers. The results were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models. Funnel plots and Egger's regression test were used to assess publication bias.

RESULTS

Twenty-four RCTs were reviewed and 20 were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 4344 participants were included (n = 2197 in the intervention group and n = 2147 in the control group), and the intervention durations ranged from 6 weeks to 3.6 years. Ezetimibe coadministered with statin therapy, compared with control treatment, significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; n = 20 studies) [WMD  - 0.39 mmol/L, 95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.05; p < 0.001], triglycerides (TG; n = 18 studies) [WMD - 0.23 mmol/L, 95% CI - 0.33 to - 0.13; p < 0.001], and total cholesterol (TC; n = 17 studies) [WMD - 0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI - 0.45 to - 0.17; p < 0.001). Although the effect of statin/ezetimibe combinations on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; n = 17 studies) [WMD 0.02 mmol/L, 95% CI - 0.05 to 0.09; p < 0.001) was very minimal and no effect was observed on HsCRP levels (n = 11 studies).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that statin/ezetimibe combinations reduced LDL-C, TC, and TG levels but had minimal effects on HDL-C and no effect HsCRP biomarkers in ASCVD patients. The statin/ezetimibe therapy enabled a more effective reduction in LDL-C levels; however, the duration of the treatment was suboptimal.

Lipid-lowering drug prescriptions in a group of Colombian patients

Introduction.

Lipid-lowering drugs, especially statins, have shown great relevance in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

Objective.

To determine the prescription patterns of lipid-lowering drugs and the variables associated with their use in a Colombian population.

Materials and methods.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. From a drugdispensing database of approximately 4.5 million Colombian health system affiliates, patients of all ages and both sexes treated with lipid-lowering agents (statins, fibrates, ezetimibe) were identified between January and March, 2017. Demographic, pharmacological and co-medication variables were included.

Results.

In total, 103,624 patients were identified as being treated with lipid-lowering agents. The average age was 67.5 years, and 49.8% were 65 years or older. Women comprised 58.0% of the patients. Statins were the most used (n=96,910; 93.5%), and atorvastatin (n=80,812; 78.0%) and lovastatin (n=12,621; 12.2%) were the most frequent. The mean atorvastatin dose was 30.3 mg/day, and 49.9% of its users received presentations of 40 mg or more. A total of 9,258 (8.9%) patients received fibrates, and only 780 (0.8%) were taking ezetimibe. Of this population, 94.9% were treated with lipid-lowering monotherapy, and 97.3% (n=100,813) had co-medication for their comorbidities, with the most frequent being antihypertensive (89.1%), antiplatelet (57.8%), antidiabetic (31.5%) and antiulcerative agents (34.2%).

Conclusions.

Atorvastatin is currently the most frequently used lipid-lowering drug in this group of Colombian patients, especially in monotherapy and at doses close to the defined daily dose. Only half received high-intensity doses. New studies are required to verify the efficacy of these therapies.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target achievement in patients surviving an acute coronary syndrome in Hong Kong and Taiwan - findings from the Dyslipidemia International Study II

BACKGROUND

Individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular events following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Effective management of hyperlipidemia, an associated risk factor, is essential for improving outcomes. We aimed to quantify the extent of hyperlipidemia and its treatment in ACS survivors in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

METHODS

The multinational, observational Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS) II included patients hospitalized for an ACS. Lipid levels and use of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) were evaluated at baseline and 4 months post-discharge. The proportions of patients attaining the recommended LDL-C target for individuals at very high cardiovascular risk (<70 mg/dL) was assessed and potential predictors of this outcome evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 270 patients were enrolled, 125 (46.3%) of which were being treated with LLT prior to hospitalization. Of these, 28.8% had an LDL-C level < 70 mg/dL, compared to only 6.9% of those not being treated. Statin monotherapy was the most commonly employed LLT, with a mean atorvastatin-equivalent dosage of 14 mg/day. By 4-month follow-up, target attainment had risen to 45.1% for patients treated with LLT at baseline, and 43.3% for those who had not been treated. LLT was being used by 88.4% of patients at follow-up, with a mean atorvastatin dosage of 18 mg/day. Use of statins in combination with ezetimibe/other non-statin was scarce. No predictors of LDL-C target attainment were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalized with an ACS, rates of LDL-C target achievement were poor. While LLT was widely employed, statin intensity was low and combination therapy underused, indicating scope for improvement.

2018 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology, Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine and Taiwan Society of Cardiovascular Interventions for the management of non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

In Taiwan, the incidence of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) continues to increase in recent years. The purpose of this guideline is to help health care professionals in Taiwan to use adequate tests and treatments for management of NSTE-ACS. For rapid diagnosis, in addition to history and physical examination, 0/3 h rapid diagnosis protocol with high sensitivity cardiac troponin assay is recommended in this guideline. Dual antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies are important parts in the initial treatment. Risk stratification should be performed to identify high risk patients for early coronary angiography. Through evaluation of the coronary anatomy and other clinical factors, the decision for coronary revascularization, either by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting, should be decided by the heart team. The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy should be given for at least 12 months after discharge. Other secondary preventive medications are also recommended for long term use.

Real-world cardiovascular disease burden in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

Based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) rates range between 9 and 15 events per 1000 person-years, ischemic stroke between 4 and 6 per 1000 person-years, CHD death rates between 5 and 7 events per 1000 person-years, and any major vascular event between 28 and 53 per 1000 person-years in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We reviewed global literature on the topic to determine whether the real-world burden of secondary major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) is higher among ASCVD patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase using MeSH/keywords including cardiovascular disease, secondary prevention and observational studies. Studies published in the last 5 years, in English, with ≥50 subjects with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or on statins, and reporting secondary MACEs were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of each included study.

RESULTS

Of 4663 identified articles, 14 studies that reported MACE incidence rates per 1000 person-years were included in the review (NOS grades ranged from 8 to 9; 2 were prospective and 12 were retrospective studies). Reported incidence rates per 1000 person-years had a range (median) of 12.01-39.9 (26.8) for MI, 13.8-57.2 (41.5) for ischemic stroke, 1.0-94.5 (21.1) for CV-related mortality and 9.7-486 (52.6) for all-cause mortality. Rates were 25.8-211 (81.1) for composite of MACEs. Multiple event rates had a range (median) of 60-391 (183) events per 1000 person-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review indicates that MACE rates observed in real-world studies are substantially higher than those reported in RCTs, suggesting that the secondary MACE burden and potential benefits of effective CVD management in ASCVD patients may be underestimated if real-world data are not taken into consideration.