Strategies to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets in high-risk patients

Abstract

Several options exist in very-high risk patients who do not achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets despite treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg, including switching to rosuvastatin 40 mg, adding ezetimibe or adding a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor. Taking into account the safety, LDL-C lowering capacity, effect on cardiovascular events and cost of these available options, switching to rosuvastatin 40 mg appears to represent the most attractive strategy. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to confirm the effects of this strategy on LDL-C levels given the limited available data.

Keywords:

• Atorvastatin
• rosuvastatin
• ezetimibe
• PCSK9 inhibitors
• low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets

This article refers to:

LDL cholesterol levels after switch from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin

Transparency

Declaration of funding

The contents of the paper and the opinions expressed within are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

C.M. and K.T. have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article.

CMRO peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgments

None reported.