An expert opinion paper on statin adherence and implementation of new lipid-lowering medications by the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy: Barriers to be overcome

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother. 2020 Apr 1;6(2):115-121. doi: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvz079.

Abstract

Benefits and safety on statins have been well-established over 20 years of research. Despite this, the vast majority of patients are not adequately treated and do not achieve the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target levels. This is mainly due to poor adherence, which is associated with dangerous and sometimes fatal outcomes. To increase adherence and prevent worse outcomes, a combination therapy with lower dosage of statins and new lipid-lowering drugs may be used. However, the implementation of new lipid-lowering drugs in European countries is still at the beginning. For these reasons, the aim of this position paper is to give an up-to-date indication from the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy in order to discuss the barriers towards statins adherence and new lipid-lowering drugs implementation in Europe.

Keywords: Ezetimibe; Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; PCSK9 inhibitors; Position paper; Statin intolerance; Statins adherence.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / diagnosis
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Dyslipidemias / mortality
  • Ezetimibe / adverse effects
  • Ezetimibe / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Medication Adherence*
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • Ezetimibe