Factors correlated with non-early achievement of target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level using PCSK9 inhibitors

The international guidelines recommend a target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level of < 55 mg/dL in very-high-risk patients with dyslipidemia, which were defined as those with history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), chronic coronary syndrome with multivessel disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, familiar hypercholesterolemia, recurrent coronary artery disease, or polyvascular disease. In addition, an early reduction in LDL-c levels is recommended especially for ACS. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been reported to be very effective for an early reduction in the LDL-c level, but some patients showed non-early reduction. We investigated the factors correlating with non-early lowering LDL-c levels using PSCK9 inhibitors in very-high-risk patients. We enrolled consecutive patients with dyslipidemia who received evolocumab due to very-high-risk. We divided them into the early achievement of the target LDL-c level (EAC) group whose LDL-c level decreased to < 55 mg/dL 1 month later and the non-EAC group. We investigated the various factors possibly correlated with non-EAC. The non-EAC group comprised 25 patients (35.2%). A univariable analysis revealed that a body mass index (BMI) > 23.9 kg/m², history of ACS, LDL-c > 144 mg/dL, and high-intensity statins were related to the non-EAC group. A multivariable analysis showed that a history of ACS was negatively and LDL cholesterol level > 144 mg/dL positively correlated with non-EAC. In conclusion, we induced PSCK9 inhibitors more aggressively in ACS, and we should pay attention to the patients with higher baseline LDL-c levels during the follow-up.