Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Flash Back and Vision Ahead

Dyslipidemia is the most common modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). There is unequivocal evidence that Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) is the main culprit. Statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/ Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are used to target LDL-C. Statin is always utilized as the first line therapy and they decrease LDL-C by approximately 1 mmol/l (40 mg/dL). If the LDL goals are not achieved ezetimibe is used and this decreases LDL-C by 15-20%. Bempedoic acid can also be utilized to lower LDL-C before initiating PCSK9 inhibitors but this is not available in India as yet. PCSK9 inhibitors decrease LDL-C by 1 to 1.5 mmol/l (40-60 mg/dL) on top of all lipid lowering therapy and with this very low LDL-C level targets of 150 <150 mg/dL. Inclisiran which blocks the synthesis of PCSK9 is emerging as very exciting molecule for the future. It decreases LDL-C by 50% which remains there for six months after a single injection of 300 mg.