Vascular Health and Risk Management (Jul 2022)
PCSK9 Inhibitors in the Management of Cardiovascular Risk: A Practical Guidance
Abstract
Xiaoming Jia,1 Mahmoud Al Rifai,1 Anum Saeed,2 Christie M Ballantyne,1 Salim S Virani1,3 1Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 2Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; 3Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USACorrespondence: Salim S Virani, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA, Tel +1 713-440-4410, Email [email protected]: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are potent medications in the toolkit for treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These agents have been well studied in clinical trials supporting their efficacy in dramatically reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and impact on cardiovascular outcomes. Since the approval of commercial use for PCSK9 inhibitors in 2015, we have also gained significant experience in the use of these therapeutics in the real-world setting. In this article, we review current guideline recommendations, clinical trial evidence on efficacy and safety as well as data on cost-effectiveness, prescription and adherence. We focus primarily on the monoclonal antibody class of PCSK9 inhibitors in this review while also touching on other types of therapeutics that are under development.Keywords: PCSK9 inhibitor, CVD prevention, lipids
