The role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is well recognized, and statin therapy represents the standard of care for LDL-C lowering and reduction of cardiovascular risk. However, many patients fail to achieve LDL-C goals, while others are intolerant to statins due to side effects. Unfortunately, until recently, the efficacy of other non-statin LDL-C-lowering agents was limited, achieving an LDL-C reduction of no more than 20%. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors represent a new class of LDL-lowering agents, producing large reductions in LDL-C. The present review aims to provide the current clinical and scientific data pertaining to this promising new class of LDL-C-lowering agents.
Author(s): Constantine E. Kosmas, MD, PhD, and Eddy DeJesus, MD