Effect of statin add-on therapy on cardiovascular mortality.

Introduction: Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains a leading cause of mortality despite statin therapy. Statin add-on lipid-lowering therapies have been investigated for CV risk reduction, but their effect on CV mortality has not been reviewed.

Methods: This review describes CV outcomes trials of add-on therapies to statins, highlighting findings related to the primary composite CV endpoints and the more patient-centric endpoint of CV-related mortality.

Lipoprotein(a): An important piece of the ASCVD risk factor puzzle across diverse populations.

Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is an independent, genetic risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) that impacts ~1.4 billion people globally. Generally, Lp(a) levels remain stable over time; thus, most individuals need only undergo Lp(a) testing through a non-fasting blood draw once in their lifetime, unless elevated Lp(a) is identified.

NLA scientific statement on statin intolerance: a new definition and key considerations for ASCVD risk reduction in the statin intolerant patient.

Although statins are generally well tolerated, statin intolerance is reported in 5-30% of patients and contributes to reduced statin adherence and persistence, as well as higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This Scientific Statement from the National Lipid Association was developed to provide an updated definition of statin intolerance and to inform clinicians and researchers about its identification and management. Statin intolerance is defined as one or more adverse effects associated with statin therapy which resolves or improves with dose reduction or discontinuation and can be classified as a complete inability to tolerate any dose of a statin or partial intolerance with inability to tolerate the dose necessary to achieve the patient-specific therapeutic objective.

Estimating health state utilities associated with a rare disease: familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS).

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disorder with no currently approved therapies. Treatments are in development, and cost-utility analyses will be needed to examine their value. These models will require health state utilities representing FCS.

Managing dyslipidemia for CVD prevention: A review of recent clinical practice guidelines.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and the American College of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline is a comprehensive, practical tool that can be used to diagnose and manage dyslipidemia, a major risk for the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Effective therapies are available to improve lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular events.

Managing hypertriglyceridemia: What can we learn from cardiovascular outcomes trials?

Cardiovascular (CV) risk remains in some patients who are treated with statins. Evidence supports a role for triglycerides (TGs) in CV disease. TG-lowering agent outcomes studies have been inconsistent, but eicosapentaenoic acid significantly reduced coronary events in hypercholesterolemic patients who were treated with statins.

Medical management of acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Recent updates to clinical guidelines and pharmacological indications have added to the complexity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management. Advanced practice nurses working with ACS patients need clear and up-to-date information to optimize patient care.

Purpose: To provide a practical overview of the management of ACS from patient presentation through to long-term secondary prevention based on recent guidelines and randomized controlled trials, with particular emphasis on medical management.