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Research Summary
In a study published in Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, researchers investigated the use of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and lifestyle changes in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who had high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
Key Findings
- Out of 1091 ASCVD patients with high LDL-C levels, 51% were not using LLT upon admission to the hospital.
- At discharge, 91% of patients were prescribed statins and 87% were given advice on lifestyle changes and/or medication.
- High-intensity statins were prescribed to 63-92% of patients, depending on their specific ASCVD diagnosis.
- However, 25% of patients on high-intensity statins were still not reaching target cholesterol levels.
Practical Implications
These findings highlight the need for improved management of ASCVD patients with high LDL-C levels. Practical solutions include:
- Ensuring that all eligible patients receive appropriate LLT upon admission to the hospital.
- Emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and providing guidance on nutrition to all ASCVD patients.
- Optimizing the dosage of statins to ensure that patients achieve their target cholesterol levels.
- Considering the use of additional medications such as ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) for patients who do not reach target levels with statins alone.
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