PCSK9 inhibitors seem to benefit those with high cardiovascular risk

PCSK9 inhibitors appear to lower nonfatal myocardial infarction in adults with high or very high cardiovascular risk but not in those with low or moderate risk, according to a new study published in The BMJ.

Results from 14 randomized controlled studies informed this network meta-analysis measuring the effect of ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes in 83,660 adult patients regardless of statin use.

The researchers also found that initiating ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors as an add-on in patients receiving maximally tolerated statin therapy or in patients who cannot tolerate statins seems to have no significant effect on cardiovascular mortality nor on death for any other reason.

Prescribing ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors “should be considered among appropriate candidates with very high or high cardiovascular risk patients to achieve desired cardiovascular benefits,” the authors wrote.