Control of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease in Real-Life Practice: The DAUSSET Study in French Cardiologists

Establishing a multi-specialty consensus in the clinical need for hypercholesterolemia management and its implication for patients access to innovative therapies

BACKGROUND

Increased level of blood LDL-C has a causal and cumulative effect on advancing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). European guidelines for treating high LDL-C levels have been recently updated. However, in France, several challenges (e.g., physician and patient awareness, healthcare management) limit the application of management guidelines. The aim of this study was to understand the current opinions and perceived unmet clinical needs in recognising and managing hypercholesterolemia as an ASCVD risk factor, and to explore consensus around factors that support the effective management of elevated LDL-C.

METHODS

An expert group of cardiologists, endocrinologists, biology/genetics researchers, and a health technology assessments expert, from France was convened. The current management of hypercholesterolemia and barriers to achieving LDL-C goals in France were discussed and 44 statements were developed. Wider consensus was assessed by sending the statements as a 4-point Likert Scale questionnaire to cardiologists and endocrinologists across France. The consensus threshold was defined as ≥75%.

RESULTS

A total of 101 responses were received. Consensus was very high (>90%) in 25 (57%) statements, high (≥75%) in 18 (41%) statements and was not achieved (<75%) only in 1 (2%) of statements. Overall, 43 statements achieved consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on consensus levels, key recommendations for improving current guidelines and approaches to care have been developed. Implementation of these recommendations will lead to better concordance with international treatment guidelines and increase levels of education for healthcare practitioners and patients. In turn, this will improve the available treatment pathways for cardiovascular diseases, potentially creating improved patient outcomes in the future.

Evaluation of hypercholesterolemia management in at-risk patients by cardiologists in France: a case vignette-based study

Aim: This online interactive survey investigated lipid-lowering approaches of French cardiologists in high- and very high-cardiovascular risk patients with hypercholesterolemia. Materials & methods: Physicians assessed three hypothetical patients at three clinic visits, and selected the patients' cardiovascular risk category, target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and treatment. Results: A total of 162 physicians completed 480 risk assessments; 58% of assessments correctly categorized the hypothetical patients. Most physicians chose the correct LDL-C target for one of the very high-risk patients, but higher-than-recommended targets were selected for the other very high-risk patient and the high-risk patient. Statins were the most commonly chosen treatment. Conclusion: French cardiologists often underestimate cardiovascular risk in patients with hypercholesterolemia, select a higher-than-recommended LDL-C target and prescribe less intensive treatment than that recommended by guidelines.

Efficacy and safety of inclisiran a newly approved FDA drug: a systematic review and pooled analysis of available clinical studies

Study objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety profile of treatment with inclisiran, a drug that has been recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Design

A systematic literature search was conducted in order to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect on lipoproteins and the safety profile of inclisiran.

Results

Data were pooled from 5 RCTs, which included 4226 subjects. Meta-analyses of data suggested that the multiple-dose regimens of inclisiran yielded a significant reduction in serum levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (MD = -78.23%, 95%CI: -86.74, -69.71) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -45.48%, 95%CI: -50.36%, -40.61%) throughout the studies. Furthermore, treatment with inclisiran significantly affected total cholesterol (MD = -13.67%, 95%CI: -20.78%, -6.57%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 8.29%, 95%CI: 4.66%,11.93%), non-HDL cholesterol (MD = -39.45%, 95%CI: -43.6%, -35.31%), apolipoprotein B (MD = -34.58%, 95%CI: -38.78%, -30.78%) and lipoprotein(a) (MD = -20.9%, 95%CI: -25.8%, -15.99%). Multiple-dose regimens of inclisiran were associated with increased risk of injection-site reactions (any reaction: OR = 5.86, 95%CI: 3.44, 9.98; mild reactions: OR = 5.19, 95%CI: 1.68, 16.07; moderate reactions: OR = 13.37, 95%CI: 3.17, 56.46), and bronchitis (OR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.26), while the incidence of the pre-specified exploratory CV endpoint significantly decreased at 18 months (OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.58, 0.94).

Conclusion and relevance

Inclisiran has favourable effects on serum lipid levels and an acceptable safety profile. Further well-designed RCTs are needed to explore its longer-term safety.