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Pradhan A, Bhandari M, Vishwakarma P, Singh A, Perrone MA, Sethi R. Bempedoic Acid: An Emerging Therapy for Uncontrolled Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:jcdd10050195. [PMID: 37233162 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10050195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a silent epidemic, which is progressing relentlessly across the globe. Developing countries such as India have a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and consequently a huge burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ASCVD. Low-density lipoprotein is regarded as the primary culprit in the genesis of ASCVD, and statins are the first line therapy for LDL-C lowering. Statin therapy has unequivocally demonstrated the benefit of lowering LDL-C in patients across the spectrum of CAD and ASCVD. Muscle symptoms and worsening of glycemic homeostasis could be challenges with statin therapy, especially with the use of high doses. A large fraction of patients are also unable to achieve their LDL goals with statins alone in clinical practice. Moreover, LDL-C goals have become aggressive over years, necessitating a combination of lipid lowering therapies. PCSK-9 inhibitors and Inclisiran have emerged as robust and safe lipid-lowering agents, but parenteral administration and high cost precludes their widespread use. Bempedoic acid is a novel lipid-lowering agent working upstream of statins by inhibiting the enzyme ATP citrate lyase (ACL). The drug produces an average LDL lowering of 22-28% in statin-naïve patients and 17-18% when given to preexisting statin users. Because skeletal muscles lack the ACL enzyme, there is minimal risk of muscle-related symptoms. In combination with ezetimibe, the drug synergistically reduced LDL-C by 39%. Moreover, the drug has no adverse effect on glycemic parameters and lowers hsCRP (inflammation) like statin. The series of four randomized CLEAR trials, involving >4000 patients, have shown consistent LDL lowering across the spectrum of ASCVD patients with or without background therapy. The large and only cardiovascular outcome trial of the drug (CLEAR Outcomes) has recently demonstrated a 13% reduction of MACE at 40 months. Rise in levels of uric acid (four times) and acute gout (three times) are more common compared to placebo with the drug, owing to competitive renal transportation by OAT 2. In a nutshell, Bempedoic acid represents a value addition to the inventory of dyslipidemia management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshyaya Pradhan
- Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Monika Bhandari
- Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Pravesh Vishwakarma
- Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Abhishek Singh
- Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Marco Alfonso Perrone
- Department of Cardiology and CardioLab, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Rishi Sethi
- Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
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Hiremath J, Mohan JC, Hazra P, Sawhney JS, Mehta A, Shetty S, Oomman A, Shah MK, Bantwal G, Agarwal R, Karnik R, Jain P, Ray S, Das S, Jadhao V, Suryawanshi S, Barkate H. Bempedoic Acid for Lipid Management in the Indian Population: An Expert Opinion. Cureus 2023; 15:e35395. [PMID: 36987470 PMCID: PMC10040092 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid-lowering is a central theme in the management of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), with statins being currently used as the first-line lipid-lowering agent (LLAs). Bempedoic acid (BA) has been recently approved for lipid management in ASCVD/HeFH patients. This expert opinion paper brings out the essential concept to assess the current place of BA in the Indian population. Here we highlight that the majority of the patients with clinical ASCVD may not be receiving the optimal dose of statin, thereby failing to achieve their lipid targets. The addition of BA to statin results in a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) along with substantial reductions in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. For patients who do not achieve LDL-C targets, BA can be an effective add-on alternative to choose among non-statin LLAs. BA is a good choice for statin-intolerant cases, especially in combination with ezetimibe. Given the lack of effect of worsening hyperglycemia or any increase in the occurrence of new-onset diabetes, BA can be used without hesitation in patients with diabetes. The small risk of hyperuricemia could be mitigated with appropriate patient selection and monitoring of serum uric acid levels in patients at high risk of hyperuricemia. We believe BA is an excellent non-statin therapy that is efficacious, well-tolerated, and cost-effective for lipid management in ASCVD, HeFH, and statin-intolerant patients in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J C Mohan
- Cardiology, Jaipur Golden Hospital, Jaipur, IND
| | - Prakash Hazra
- Cardiology, Apollo Clinic Hospitals, Ballygunge, Kolkata, IND
| | - Jp S Sawhney
- Cardiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, IND
| | | | - Sadanand Shetty
- Cardiology, Sadanand Healthy Living Center (P) Ltd. Sion (East), Mumbai, IND
| | | | - Mahesh K Shah
- Cardiology, MK's Heart Care, Vile Parle, Mumbai, IND
| | - Ganapathi Bantwal
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, IND
| | | | - Rajiv Karnik
- Cardiology, Dr. Karnik's Cardiac Clinic, Mulund West, Mumbai, IND
| | - Peeyush Jain
- Cardiology, Fortis-Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, IND
| | - Saumitra Ray
- Cardiology, Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital, Kolkata, IND
| | - Sambit Das
- Endocrinology, HiTech Medical College and Hospitals, Bhubaneshwar, IND
| | - Vibhuti Jadhao
- Global Medical Affairs, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mumbai, IND
| | | | - Hanmant Barkate
- Global Medical Affairs, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mumbai, IND
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