Application of the 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guidelines to nationwide data of patients with a recent myocardial infarction: a simulation study

Eur Heart J. 2020 Oct 21;41(40):3900-3909. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa034.

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the proportion of patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) who would be eligible for additional lipid-lowering therapy according to the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias, and to simulate the effects of expanded lipid-lowering therapy on attainment of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target as recommended by the guidelines.

Methods and results: Using the nationwide SWEDEHEART register, we included 25 466 patients who had attended a follow-up visit 6-10 weeks after an MI event, 2013-17. While most patients (86.6%) were receiving high-intensity statins, 82.9% of the patients would be eligible for expanded lipid-lowering therapy, as they had not attained the target of an LDL-C level of <1.4 mmol and a ≥50% LDL-C level reduction. When maximized use of high-intensity statins followed by add-on therapy with ezetimibe was simulated using a Monte Carlo model, the LDL-C target was reached in 19.9% using high-intensity statin monotherapy and in another 28.5% with high-intensity statins and ezetimibe, while 50.7% would still be eligible for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. When use of alirocumab or evolocumab was simulated in those who were eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors, around 90% of all patients attained the LDL-C target.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that, even with maximized use of high-intensity statins and ezetimibe, around half of patients with MI would be eligible for treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors according to the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines. Considering the current cost of PCSK9 inhibitors, the financial implications of the new guidelines may be substantial.

Keywords: ESC/EAS guidelines; Ezetimibe; LDL cholesterol target; PCSK9 inhibitors; Statins; Treatment goals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticholesteremic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Atherosclerosis*
  • Cardiology*
  • Dyslipidemias* / drug therapy
  • Dyslipidemias* / epidemiology
  • Ezetimibe / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction* / drug therapy
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • Ezetimibe