Reduction of High Cholesterol Levels by a Preferably Fixed-Combination Strategy as the First Step in the Treatment of Hypertensive Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and High/Very High Cardiovascular Risk: A Consensus Document by the Italian Society of Hypertension

STRUGGLE FOR. Italian-Polish-Spanish-Uzbek-Vietnamese Expert Forum Position Paper 2023 for better control of classical modifiable risk factors in clinical practice

The progress in pharmacotherapy that has been made in recent years, including the introduction of very effective and safe lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs, has not yet translated into the expected universal control of blood pressure, lipid disorders and diabetes. In the STRUGGLE FOR Italian- -Polish-Spanish-Uzbek-Vietnamese Expert Forum Position Paper 2023, experts from five countries recounted several points about the paradigms of cardiological and cardiometabolic care for better control of classical modifiable risk factors in the year 2023. It is believed herein, that the need to intensify treatment, actively search for patients with cardiovascular risk factors, especially with arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, should go hand in hand with the implementation of the latest therapy, based on single pill combinations including proven, effective antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic molecules, many of which are listed in the present document. There is a need to use both new technological concepts, completely new drugs, as well as novel treatment concepts such as metabolic treatment in coronary artery disease, try to intensify the fight against smoking in every way, including the available range of drugs and procedures reducing the harm. This approach will provide substantially better control of the underlying cardiovascular risk factors in countries as varied as Italy, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Related Medical and Lifestyle Interventions Among Italian Cardiovascular Specialists: A Proof-of-Concept Study

INTRODUCTION

Physicians and researchers in the cardiovascular field are constantly engaged in the promotion of guidelines-directed preventive measures, but whether they are themselves adherent to the same recommendations was only sporadically examined.

AIM

To assess awareness of self-exposure to cardiovascular risk factors and related management among cardiovascular specialists.

METHODS

During the National Conference of the Italian Society of Hypertension (October 2022), a pilot observational study on consecutive volunteer cardiovascular specialists was conducted. Participants underwent standard sitting and standing blood pressure (BP) measurements and answered a questionnaire regarding modifiable/non modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and related treatments. Based on self-declarations and actual measurements, BP was classified as optimal, normal, high-normal BP, and new hypertension in untreated participants, and as treated/untreated pre-existing hypertension. Controlled hypertension was defined as BP < 140/90 mmHg; age-adjusted lower targets were also applied, according to guidelines.

RESULTS

In total, 62 participants (30 F, mean age 43.2 ± 14.8 years) were enrolled; 79% reported regular physical activity; 53% of women and 38% of men were on a low-salt diet. After smoke (19.4%), dyslipidemia was the second most common risk factor (17.7%), often occurring with high BP (26.3%) and left untreated (36.7%). Pre-existing hypertension (11.3%) was often uncontrolled (57.1%) and associated with non-adherence to guidelines-directed lifestyle recommendations. About one in 12 participants was unaware of having high measured BP values.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the specific professional exposure, a margin for improvement in self cardiovascular risk factors awareness and management remains in this exploratory sample of cardiovascular specialists. This pilot research anticipates forthcoming, larger studies during national and international conferences.

Bempedoic Acid’s Use as an Adjunct in Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood as fatty streaks, progresses with age, and lifestyle influences the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Over time, with significant narrowing of the blood vessels, blood flow into the coronary arteries is compromised, resulting in various symptoms of coronary heart disease. Many drugs are used in clinical practice to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in patients with CAD. This review aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of a non-statin novel lipid-lowering drug, bempedoic acid (BDA), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) citrate lyase inhibitor, in lowering serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels among patients with CAD. BDA is a new drug that recently got approval for clinical use. Following its discovery, BDA has been researched in order to investigate its role in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. A search for studies was conducted using databases such as PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar up until April 30, 2022. This systematic review has followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

A total of 11 studies were finalized to explore the role of BDA alone or as an adjunct in lowering serum LDL-C levels in high-risk patients under maximally tolerated statins, statin-intolerant groups, or treatment with other lipid-lowering drugs. These studies are three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one pre-proof RCT, two systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and five narrative review articles. This review included 8465 participants from recently conducted RCTs and systematic reviews. Another 14014 participants, enrolled for the Cholesterol Lowering via Bempedoic Acid, an Adenosine Triphosphate-Citrate Lyase-Inhibiting Regimen (CLEAR) Outcomes clinical trial, were also included. BDA in combination with ezetimibe showed good evidence of LDL-C lowering effect. Patients on maximally tolerated statin failing to achieve desired LDL-C when treated in combination with BDA showed a significant decrement in serum LDL-C levels, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), and triglyceride. BDA use showed no adverse side effects. The most common side effect seen in several trials was the rise in serum uric acid level. When treating patients with BDA, baseline uric acid levels should be obtained and regular monitoring of uric acid should be done. The CLEAR Outcomes trial, scheduled to be completed by December 2022, will provide further information on BDA. BDA appears to be a promising alternative to currently available secondary lipid-lowering agents.