Patients who receive a prescription for statin therapy often remain at increased cardiovascular risk due to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Organizations such as the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and National Lipid Association have developed algorithms to guide the management of patients with LDL-…

Mateo is a 68-year-old male treated with moderate-intensity statin therapy who needs treatment intensification for secondary prevention. Treatment options are discussed based on clinical trials such as IMPROVE-IT, ODYSSEY Long Term, FOURIER, and GLAGOV.Kirjoittanut Annenberg Center for Health Sciences

Jessica is a 24-year-old with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia with LDL-C hyperlipidemia despite high-intensity statin therapy. The benefits and limitations of the addition of ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor are discussed.Kirjoittanut Annenberg Center for Health Sciences

Anisa is a 54-year-old with hypertension and stage 3 chronic kidney disease (but not diabetes mellitus) and LDL-C <190 mg/dL despite high-intensity statin therapy. Results of clinical trials show that reducing atherogenic lipoproteins to very low levels (LDL-C <50 mg/dL) is beneficial in reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event compared to highe…

Harry is a 72-year-old with diabetes and hypertension but no primary event with LDL-C 110 mg/dL and 1-year ASCVD risk score of 43%. Although he is a candidate for high-intensity statin therapy, atorvastatin 10 mg daily is the highest dose he tolerates.Kirjoittanut Annenberg Center for Health Sciences