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‡ These authors were co-chairs of this guideline update and contributed equally to this work.
Glen J. Pearson
Correspondence
Corresponding author: Dr Glen J. Pearson, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 8440-112th St NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2B7, Canada. Tel.: +1-780-407-2044; fax: +1-780-407-6452.
Department of Medicine and Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital and Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The 2021 guidelines primary panel selected clinically relevant questions and produced updated recommendations, on the basis of important new findings that have emerged since the 2016 guidelines. In patients with clinical atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, most patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and those with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 5 mmol/L, statin therapy continues to be recommended. We have introduced the concept of lipid/lipoprotein treatment thresholds for intensifying lipid-lowering therapy with nonstatin agents, and have identified the secondary prevention patients who have been shown to derive the largest benefit from intensification of therapy with these agents. For all other patients, we emphasize risk assessment linked to lipid/lipoprotein evaluation to optimize clinical decision-making. Lipoprotein(a) measurement is now recommended once in a patient's lifetime, as part of initial lipid screening to assess cardiovascular risk. For any patient with triglycerides ˃ 1.5 mmol/L, either non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or apolipoprotein B are the preferred lipid parameter for screening, rather than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We provide updated recommendations regarding the role of coronary artery calcium scoring as a clinical decision tool to aid the decision to initiate statin therapy. There are new recommendations on the preventative care of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Health behaviour modification, including regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet, remain the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention. These guidelines are intended to provide a platform for meaningful conversation and shared-decision making between patient and care provider, so that individual decisions can be made for risk screening, assessment, and treatment.
Résumé
Le panel principal responsable des lignes directrices 2021 a sélectionné des éléments cliniquement pertinents et a soumis des recommandations actualisées, basées sur de nouvelles découvertes d'importance apparues depuis les lignes directrices de 2016. Ainsi, le traitement par statine reste recommandé pour les patients atteints d'athérosclérose clinique, d'anévrisme de l'aorte abdominale, pour la plupart des patients diabétiques ou atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique, et chez ceux dont le cholestérol à lipoprotéines de basse densité est ≥ 5 mmol/l. Nous avons introduit la notion de seuils pour le traitement des lipides/lipoprotéines afin d'intensifier le traitement hypolipidémiant avec des agents non-statiniques, et nous avons identifié les patients en prévention secondaire distingués comme ayant tirer le plus grand bénéfice de l'intensification du traitement avec ces agents. Pour tous les autres patients, nous mettons l'accent sur l'appréciation du risque par le biais de l'évaluation des lipides/lipoprotéines afin d'optimiser la prise de décision clinique. Le dosage de la lipoprotéine (a) est maintenant recommandé une fois dans la vie d'un patient, dans le cadre du dépistage initial des lipides pour évaluer le risque cardiovasculaire. Pour tout patient présentant des taux de triglycérides ˃ 1,5 mmol/l, l'apolipoprotéine B ou le cholestérol lié aux lipoprotéines autres que celles de haute densité sont les indices lipidiques à privilégier pour le dépistage, plutôt que le cholestérol à lipoprotéines de basse densité. Nous proposons des recommandations actualisées concernant le rôle du score calcique des artères coronaires en tant qu'outil de décision clinique pour aider à la décision d'administrer un traitement par statine. Il existe de nouvelles recommandations concernant les soins préventifs des femmes souffrant de troubles hypertensifs de la grossesse. Le changement de comportement en matière de santé, incluant l'exercice physique régulier et une alimentation saine pour le coeur, reste la pierre angulaire de la prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires. Ces lignes directrices visent à fournir une plateforme pour une discussion constructive et une prise de décision partagée entre le patient et le prestataire de soins, afin que des décisions individuelles puissent être prises pour le dépistage, l'évaluation et le traitement des risques.
The 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) dyslipidemia guidelines have been updated to reflect new clinical trial and epidemiologic evidence published since the previous guidelines in 2016.
The primary panel posed a number of population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes (PICO) questions to develop recommendations and inform clinical practice on the basis of a detailed literature review. The PICO format is a common standard used for guidelines development, to aid clinicians in determining whether the recommendations apply to their own patients with outcomes relevant to their practice. Initially, 13 different PICO questions were posed and then rated on the basis of the availability and significance of new evidence and importance to be included in the updated guidelines. The primary panel members voted on the initial 13 PICO questions formulated (see Supplemental Appendix S1Supplemental Appendix S1, S2, S3 etc. Please check throughout.?>), resulting in the identification of 6 key PICO questions, which are included in this update. Using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) standards, individual studies and composite literature were reviewed for each PICO question with regard to the quality of the available evidence and the presence of publication or interpretive bias. We have included the updated recommendations within this update, and the results of voting on each recommendation are shown in Supplemental Appendix S2. For recommendations to go forward a two-thirds voting majority was required. Individuals with conflicts of interest were recused from voting on relevant recommendations.
We have introduced the concept of “treatment thresholds” for intensifying lipid-lowering therapy with nonstatin lipid-lowering agents on the basis of new evidence with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and icosapent ethyl (IPE). Because of the increased focus on apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in this update, values for ApoB and non-HDL-C have been modified (from previous versions of these guidelines) to accurately represent the same percentile equivalents as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) for all recommended thresholds (see Supplemental Appendix S3). The goal of the process was to produce an objective, nonbiased document on the basis of the best available evidence to allow clinicians and patients to make collaborative treatment decisions. These guidelines are not absolute, but are to be used in the context of one-on-one discussion between practitioner and patient and consideration of the patient's values and preferences. Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease (ASCVD), and these guidelines inform risk assessment, treatment, and surveillance options for at-risk populations. These guidelines were undertaken under the auspices of the Guideline Committee of the CCS without any support or involvement from outside groups, including industry.
Definitions
ASCVD refers to all clinical conditions of atherosclerotic origin, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), stable or unstable angina, coronary artery disease documented using angiography, coronary or other arterial revascularization (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, femoral popliteal bypass graft surgery, etc), stroke, transient ischemic attack, documented carotid disease, peripheral artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Statin-indicated condition refers to any condition for which pharmacotherapy with statins is indicated, and consists of all documented ASCVD conditions, as well as other high-risk primary prevention conditions in the absence of ASCVD, such as most patients with diabetes, those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and those with an LDL-C ≥ 5.0 mmol/L or a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This concept was first introduced in the 2016 guidelines and continues to be used in this update.
Primary prevention refers to all efforts aimed at either populations or individuals to prevent or delay the onset of ASCVD.
Secondary prevention refers to the efforts to treat known, clinically significant ASCVD, and to prevent or delay the onset of disease manifestations.
Overview of the Management of Dyslipidemia in Primary Prevention
Screening
We determined that there was insufficient new evidence to recommend major changes to the approach of risk assessment in primary prevention. We continue to recommend lipid/lipoprotein screening (in either fasting or nonfasting state) for men and women older than 40 years of age or at any age with one of the specific conditions listed in Table 1. The nonfasting state is recommended (except for individuals with known triglycerides > 4.5 mmol/L) because it leads to minimal changes in relevant lipid levels and has no effect on apolipoprotein levels compared with the fasting state.
Table 2 provides a summary of the recommendations for how to screen patients. We maintain the recommendation for regular CV risk assessments using a validated risk model in Canada (either the Framingham Risk Score [FRS] or the Cardiovascular Life Expectancy Model [CLEM]) every 5 years for men and women aged 40-75 years to guide preventive care through shared decision-making with the patient. Among individuals 30-59 years of age without diabetes, the presence of a history of premature CV disease (CVD) in a first-degree relative (ie, 55 years or younger in male relatives and 65 years or younger in female relatives) increases an individual's calculated FRS percent risk by approximately twofold.
Table 1Who to screen for dyslipidemia in adults at risk
Who to screen
Men 40 years of age or older; women 40 years of age or older (or postmenopausal) • Consider earlier in ethnic groups at increased risk such as South Asian or indigenous individuals All patients with any of the following conditions, regardless of age • Clinical evidence of atherosclerosis • Abdominal aortic aneurysm • Diabetes mellitus • Arterial hypertension • Current cigarette smoking • Stigmata of dyslipidemia (corneal arcus, xanthelasma, xanthoma) • Family history of premature CVD
Nonfasting lipid testing is recommended in most adults for screening; however, for individuals with a history of triglyceride levels > 4.5 mmol/L, measurement of fasting lipid levels are recommended.
Nonfasting lipid testing is recommended in most adults for screening; however, for individuals with a history of triglyceride levels > 4.5 mmol/L, measurement of fasting lipid levels are recommended.
† It is now generally preferable to follow non-HDL-C or ApoB levels over LDL-C when interpreting lipid results, particularly when TG are ≥ 1.5 mmol/L.
Health behaviour modifications remain the cornerstone of chronic disease prevention, including CVD. Data from the INTERHEART study indicate that, in addition to the traditional risk factors (abnormal lipid levels, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes), abdominal obesity, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and psychosocial factors are modifiable risk factors for MI worldwide in both sexes and at all ages.
Evidence from other large prospective cohort studies have also shown that combining low-risk health behaviours that include achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, consuming a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption to no more than moderate, and ensuring a sufficient duration of sleep are associated with benefit for the primary prevention of CVD.
Healthy lifestyle factors in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease among men: benefits among users and nonusers of lipid- lowering and antihypertensive medications.
We continue to recommend a Mediterranean dietary pattern, which has evidence of CV outcome benefit in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, other dietary patterns that share important features such as the Portfolio dietary pattern,
Effect of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods given at 2 levels of intensity of dietary advice on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial.
Diet quality as assessed by the healthy eating index, the alternate healthy eating index, the dietary approaches to stop hypertension score, and health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Dietary therapy using these means can be considered to augment drug therapy with statins; however, their benefits have been shown in terms of surrogate CV measures such as blood pressure and lipoproteins.
We also continue to recommend that all adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week. It might also be beneficial to add muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least 2 days per week. Regular exercise has beneficial effects on diabetes risk, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia, and improves plasma levels of HDL-C.
The absolute risk reduction is thus dependent on the baseline risk and the baseline LDL-C, because statin treatment will provide a greater absolute LDL-C lowering in those with higher baseline values. Therefore, we continue to recommend initiation of statin therapy for: (1) all high-risk patients (≥ 20% 10-year risk); or (2) intermediate-risk patients (10%-19.9%) when LDL-C is ≥ 3.5 mmol/L (or ApoB ≥ 1.05 g/L or non-HDL-C ≥ 4.2 mmol/L). In addition, among intermediate-risk individuals with several additional risk factors as evaluated in Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) 3
(men 50 years of age or older or women 60 years of age or older with 1 additional risk factor including low HDL-C, impaired fasting glucose, increased waist circumference, cigarette smoking, hypertension) the evidence remains in favour of statin initiation to reduce the risk of CV events. The presence of other risk modifiers in intermediate-risk individuals also favours the use of statins (eg, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥ 2.0 mmol/L, family history of premature coronary artery disease, high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] ≥ 50 mg/dL [≥100 nmol/L] or coronary artery calcium score [CAC] > 0 Agatston units [AU]).
For most low-risk subjects (FRS < 10%), health behaviour modification without pharmacotherapy is still recommended; however, the exceptions would be: (1) low-risk individuals with an LDL-C ≥ 5.0 mmol/L (or ApoB ≥ 1.45 g/L or non-HDL-C ≥ 5.8 mmol/L) who have a statin-indicated condition (likely a genetic dyslipidemia such as FH); or (2) individuals with an FRS of 5%-9% with an LDL-C ≥ 3.5 mmol/L (or ApoB ≥ 1.05 g/L or non-HDL-C ≥ 4.2 mmol/L), especially with other CV risk modifiers (eg, family history of premature coronary artery disease, Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL [or ≥ 100 nmol/L] or CAC > 0 AU) because the proportional benefit from statin therapy will be similar to that in other treatment groups. Treatment of this group would follow the intermediate risk approach. The treatment approach recommended for primary prevention patients is outlined in Figure 1. Finally, evidence continues to show the benefits of maintaining low levels of atherogenic lipoproteins throughout life and at any age and any level of risk. Even among primary prevention individuals at low 10-year risk, the benefit of lipid-lowering can be substantial, especially when LDL-C ≥ 3.5 mmol/L.
Figure 1Treatment approach for primary prevention patients (without a statin-indicated condition*). Statin-indicated conditions consist of all documented ASCVD conditions, as well as other high-risk primary prevention conditions in the absence of ASCVD, such as most patients with diabetes, those with chronic kidney disease, and those with an LDL-C ≥ 5.0 mmol/L. Screening should be repeated every 5 years for men and women aged 40-75 years using the modified FRS or Cardiovascular Life Expectancy Model (CLEM) to guide therapy to reduce major CV events. A risk assessment might also be completed whenever a patient's expected risk status changes. ApoB, apolipoprotein B; ASCVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; AU, Agatston units; BAS, bile acid sequestrant; CAC, coronary artery calcium; CAD, coronary artery disease; CV, cardiovascular; FHx, family history; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; HTN, hypertension; FRS, Framingham Risk Score; IFG, impaired fasting glucose; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Lp(a), lipoprotein(a); mins, minutes; Rx, treatment; yrs, years. * Calculate risk using the FRS—refer to the iCCS available on the App Store or on Google Play.
We continue to recommend statin initiation for the following high-risk conditions (ie, “statin-indicated” conditions, even in the absence of a previous CV event: (1) CKD (except for patients receiving chronic dialysis) defined as patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and those with preserved estimated glomerular filtration rate in whom CKD is on the basis of an increased urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (≥ 3 mg/mmol) for at least 3 months’ duration; (2) diabetes mellitus in patients 40 years of age or older or 30 years of age or older with 15 or more years’ duration of diabetes, or the presence of microvascular complications; (3) abdominal aortic aneurysm > 3.0 cm or previous aortic aneurysm surgery.
Established ASCVD is also a statin-indicated condition, which is discussed in more detail later in these guidelines. The treatment approach for patients with a statin-indicated condition is summarized in Figure 2.
Figure 2Treatment approach for patients with a statin-indicated condition. ABI, ankle-brachial index; ACR, albumin to creatinine; ApoB, apolipoprotein B; ASCVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9; Rx, treatment; TIA, transient ischemic attack.
All of the recommendations from the previous dyslipidemia guidelines that remain unchanged are provided in Supplemental Appendix S5.
New areas of focus
The review of literature and evidence assessment identified several areas for new and/or updated recommendations for primary prevention, specifically in: (1) the preventive care of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; (2) the importance of lipoprotein measurement including non-HDL-C, ApoB, and Lp(a) in assessing CV risk; (3) the role of CAC as a clinical decision-making tool for determining the need to initiate statin treatment; (4) the CV benefit of IPE in patients with triglycerides ≥ 1.5-5.6 mmol/L and a previous CV event or with diabetes and additional risk factors; and (5) the lack of CV benefit of omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources or other formulations/supplements.
Overview of the Management of Dyslipidemia in Secondary Prevention
Health behaviour interventions
We continue to recommend health behaviour interventions to optimize CV health in all patients with a previous ASCVD event (refer to the Health behaviour interventions in the section on Overview of the Management of Dyslipidemia in Primary Prevention). In secondary prevention, limiting sedentary behaviour can be additive to regular physical activity with respect to the reduction of ASCVD events. A certified exercise physiologist might be of value to provide advice and follow-up. Cardiac rehabilitation has been clearly shown to be of benefit in this patient population and remains a cornerstone of management.
Stone J Canadian Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Translating Knowledge Into Action. 3rd Ed. Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation,
Winnipeg2009
Relevant recommendations from the previous dyslipidemia guidelines that remain unchanged are provided in Supplemental Appendix S5.
New areas of focus
Several areas were reviewed by our group that directly affect the care and management of patients with previous ASCVD events and have led to new or updated recommendations, specifically: (1) the role of nonstatin therapies to reduce ASCVD events; (2) the most appropriate lipid/lipoprotein threshold for the intensification of therapy in the management of dyslipidemia; and (3) the lack of CV benefit of omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources or other formulations/supplements.
PICO Questions, Evidence Review, and New Recommendations
PICO 1: Do pregnancy-related conditions (hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other related complications) identify women at increased risk of premature CVD warranting lipid screening?
Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and delivery of a low birth weight infant are associated with a higher lifetime risk of developing CV risk factors (hypertension; type 2 diabetes mellitus; dyslipidemia, especially hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C; metabolic syndrome; and subclinical atherosclerosis) and overt ASCVD.
The strongest and most abundant evidence linking pregnancy events and ASCVD is for preeclampsia, in which there is a twofold relative risk of developing premenopausal ASCVD, with onset at 10-15 years after delivery
compared with women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. This risk is highest if preeclampsia is recurrent (ie, 28% lifetime risk of ASCVD, or within 25 years after delivery
), or if associated with preterm delivery (before 37 weeks’ gestation) and other adverse conditions (chest pain, dyspnea, low platelet count, elevated liver enzymes, intrauterine growth restriction) or severe complications (eclampsia, stroke, myocardial ischemia, hepatic rupture, acute kidney injury with need for hemodialysis).
2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.
have recommended performing lipid and metabolic screening in postpartum women who have had these complications, although whether specific thresholds warranting pharmacotherapy differ from those typically used in the general population is not known. Although it is true that these women have a low absolute risk of ASCVD over the short term, the postpartum period might represent “a teachable moment” to engage young women in CV prevention and might result in long-term benefits through health behaviour interventions with or without pharmacological intervention. Treatment decisions should be guided on the basis of lifetime risk in conjunction with patient values and preferences.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and subsequent cardiovascular disease: current national and international guidelines and the need for future research.
Among women who have had a pregnancy complication such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight infant, or placental abruption, we recommend screening with a complete lipid panel in the late postpartum period, because these women have a higher risk of premature CVD and stroke with onset 10-15 years after index delivery (Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence).
2.
We recommend counselling women who have any of these pregnancy-related complications of the increased lifetime risk of ASCVD, and reinforcing the importance of healthy behaviours (ie, maintaining a healthy body weight, 150 weekly minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity, avoiding tobacco consumption, no more than moderate alcohol consumption, stress management, and adopting a healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet (Strong Recommendation; Low-Quality Evidence).
3.
To assist with decisions about lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy in this patient population, we recommend favouring CV age, over 10-year risk calculators (Strong Recommendation; Low-Quality Evidence).
Values and preferences. Although much of this observed risk among women who have had a pregnancy-related complication might be due to conventional ASCVD risk factors, complications such as preeclampsia might lead to ASCVD through accelerated vascular aging or other pathways warranting additional future research.
There is insufficient evidence to guide decisions about use of lipid-lowering therapy in women on the basis of pregnancy factors alone. The American Heart Association 2019 CV prevention guidelines
2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.
consider preeclampsia a risk enhancer warranting early screening, healthy behaviour interventions, and possibly shifting of risk category from borderline to intermediate risk (ie, eligible for statin or other lipid-lowering therapy).
We suggest individual discussions about statin or other lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy, considering each patient's lifetime risk/individual risk factors along with severity and recurrence of pregnancy complications (in particular preterm preeclampsia with adverse conditions), balanced against the potential side effects and harms of long-term therapy. Although statins were previously considered teratogenic on the basis of earlier animal studies, this has not been consistently shown in recent human studies.
A part of the observed increase in risk of congenital malformations might be due to underlying medical conditions rather than treatment with statin therapy itself.
Furthermore, there appears to be a differential effect on the basis of the type of compound, with most cases of congenital malformations being seen among infants whose mothers took lipophilic compounds (eg, atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin) as opposed to hydrophilic compounds (eg, pravastatin, rosuvastatin).
Therefore, in women who are reproductive age and who are eligible and considering statin therapy for ASCVD risk reduction on the basis of CV age or lifetime risk of ASCVD, we suggest the use of hydrophilic compounds over lipophilic compounds because of easier passage through the placenta with the latter molecules. It should be noted that for most reproductive women who take statin therapy for primary prevention of ASCVD, an effective birth control method is recommended with interruption of therapy before a planned pregnancy or at the time of an unplanned positive pregnancy test. These treatments can be resumed after delivery, when breastfeeding is completed. Referral to a specialist in obstetrical medicine or in fetal-maternal medicine should also be considered in the management of statin and nonstatin therapies in pregnant women or in women planning pregnancy.
PICO 2a: Is there evidence to promote non-HDL-C over ApoB or ApoB over non-HDL-C for screening and treatment purposes?
Previous versions of these guidelines have used LDL-C as the primary laboratory measurement for considering initiation of statin treatment and as a treatment target in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk individuals. Beginning with the 2012 guidelines, it has been recommended that non-HDL-C and ApoB could be used as alternate targets to LDL-C in any individual with triglyceride level > 1.5 mmol/L.
2012 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult.
The rationale for this is that above this level of triglyceride, some cholesterol in LDL particles is replaced by triglyceride, which promotes production of more atherogenic small dense LDL particles,
In addition, other particles, such as remnants of chylomicrons and very LDL-C, as well as Lp(a), all accumulate in the artery wall and contribute to atherogenesis, whereas HDL-C does not. Therefore, estimation of the concentration of all atherogenic particles requires a broader focus than a measurement of LDL-C. Non-HDL-C (indirectly) and ApoB (directly) provide a more accurate assessment of the total concentration of atherogenic particles than LDL-C. Non-HDL-C and ApoB are, for this reason, both better predictors of CV event risk and benefit of lipid-lowering therapy compared with LDL-C.
A meta-analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B as markers of cardiovascular risk.
Association of LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels with risk of cardiovascular events among patients treated with statins: a meta-analysis.
On the basis of these previous recommendations, non-HDL-C is now routinely reported across Canada at no additional cost, on the basis of the simple calculation of total cholesterol minus HDL-C. ApoB is also available as an insured laboratory test in all provinces except Ontario. Levels of non-HDL-C and ApoB are not significantly changed in the postprandial state in individuals with triglycerides < 4.5 mmol/L, whereas LDL-C can be lowered by up to 10% because of triglyceride enrichment of LDL-C.
it is now generally preferable to follow non-HDL-C or ApoB levels over LDL-C when interpreting lipid results, particularly when triglyceride levels are ≥ 1.5 mmol/L. A recent survey conducted by the Canadian Association of Medical Biochemists and the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemistry indicates that patients across Canada can now present to laboratories nonfasting and receive a complete lipid profile.
Non-HDL-C or ApoB for predicting CVD risk
In population studies, non-HDL-C and ApoB can be considered as equivalent markers of total atherogenic lipoproteins and lipid-related CV risk and this applies to most individuals.
Publications since the 2016 update of these guidelines indicate a subgroup of individuals, estimated at between 8% and 23%, have discordance between ApoB and non-HDL-C levels in whom ApoB might be the better predictor of risk for coronary calcification
Optimal strategies for monitoring lipid levels in patients at risk or with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with statistical and cost-effectiveness modelling.
however, showed an overall similar ability of non-HDL-C and ApoB to predict risk, but confirmed both of these measures to be superior to LDL-C. Recent consensus statements have concluded that non-HDL-C is currently a more practical choice because it incurs no additional expense to the patient or health care system.
Quantifying atherogenic lipoproteins: current and future challenges in the era of personalized medicine and very low concentrations of LDL cholesterol. A consensus statement from EAS and EFLM.
In Canada, the approach has been to allow clinicians to use either non-HDL-C or ApoB as their preferred parameter for assessment of risk and achievement of treatment targets, depending on their comfort level with the two measurements, availability of ApoB testing in their region, and when there might be a concern about discordance between the two measurements, as indicated previously. In the current guidelines, we are continuing this recommendation, while strongly urging the routine use of either non-HDL-C or ApoB instead of LDL-C as the lipid level of interest in initial lipid screening and as a treatment target in all patients with triglyceride level > 1.5 mmol/L.
RECOMMENDATION
4.
We recommend that for any patient with triglycerides > 1.5 mmol/L, non-HDL-C or ApoB be used instead of LDL-C as the preferred lipid parameter for screening (Strong Recommendation, High-Quality Evidence).
PICO 2b: Is there evidence to support measurement of Lp(a) to improve risk stratification and dyslipidemia management in patients with and without previous CV events?
Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle in which ApoB is covalently bound to a plasminogen-like molecule called apolipoprotein(a).
Plasma concentrations of Lp(a) are not influenced by age, sex, fasting state, inflammation, or lifestyle factors, but are largely controlled by a single gene locus, LPA on chromosome 6, and are highly (> 90%) heritable.
Individual values are generally stable throughout life, thus, repeat measures are not required for risk assessment.
Mendelian randomization studies have clearly shown that genetic variants in the LPA locus uniquely regulating Lp(a) levels are robustly associated with coronary heart disease risk, thereby strongly suggesting a causal association between Lp(a) and CVD.
Among 7524 subjects in the Copenhagen Heart Study followed for 17 years, subjects with an Lp(a) concentration between 30 and 76 mg/dL had a 1.7-fold hazard ratio (HR) for MI and those with an Lp(a) level > 117 mg/dL had an adjusted HR of 2.7.
Among 6086 patients with a first MI and 6857 control participants from the INTERHEART study who were stratified according to ethnicity and adjusted for age and sex, Lp(a) concentrations > 50 mg/dL were associated with an increased risk of MI (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-1.67), independent of established CVD risk factors including diabetes mellitus, smoking, and high blood pressure.
An Lp(a) level > 50 mg/dL (> 100 nmol/L) is found in approximately 20% of individuals of European and South Asian descent, 40% of African American individuals, and fewer than 10% of East Asian individuals.
Individuals with extreme elevations in Lp(a) have been shown to be at markedly high risk, with an event rate similar to that for other genetic dyslipidemias for which family screening is recommended (ie, heterozygous FH). As such, Lp(a) is a common but as yet not routinely measured ASCVD risk marker.
Elevated Lp(a) level also increases the risk of recurrent ASCVD in a dose-dependent manner.
Among 58,527 subjects from the Copenhagen General Population Study, 2527 subjects aged 20-79 years with a history of ASCVD and elevated Lp(a) were followed over a median of 5 years.
The adjusted major adverse CV events (MACE) incidence rate ratios were 1.28 (95% CI, 1.03-1.58) for subjects with an Lp(a) level of 10-49 mg/dL (18-104 nmol/L), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.12-1.85) for 50-99 mg/dL (105-213 nmol/L), and 2.14 (95% CI, 1.57-2.92) for those with Lp(a) ≥ 100 mg/dL (≥ 214 nmol/L).
In the randomized, controlled Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk (FOURIER) and Study to Evaluate the Effect of Alirocumab on the Occurrence of Cardiovascular Events in Patients Who Have Experienced an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ODYSSEY OUTCOMES) trials, high levels of Lp(a) were associated with an increased risk of recurrent CVD events in patients with established CVD irrespective of LDL cholesterol.
Although these new data support the potential role of Lp(a) as a target of treatment in the future, there remains no evidence from RCTs that specifically lowering Lp(a) level leads to reductions in CV outcomes. It should also be noted that commonly used lipid-lowering therapies (ie, statins and ezetimibe) do not appreciably lower Lp(a) levels. The only available lipid-lowering therapies that lead to substantial lowering of Lp(a) include PCSK9 inhibitors, niacin, and apheresis, but relatively limited evidence exists for their use in patients with a high Lp(a) level. Newer investigational agents, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs are currently being evaluated for CVD risk reduction in this patient population. Accordingly, Lp(a) is not currently considered a treatment target and repeat measures are therefore not indicated.
Lp(a) testing is available across Canada, and is currently an insured laboratory test in most provinces, with the exception of Ontario and Manitoba.
RECOMMENDATION
5.
We recommend measuring Lp(a) level once in a person's lifetime as a part of the initial lipid screening (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
6.
For all patients in the setting of primary prevention with a Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL (or ≥ 100 nmol/L), we recommend earlier and more intensive health behaviour modification counselling and management of other ASCVD risk factors (Strong Recommendation; Expert Consensus).
Values and preferences. There is a large body of evidence supporting the potential causal association between Lp(a) and future ASCVD.
The high prevalence of elevated Lp(a) level, the strength of association with incident and recurrent ASCVD events, and the potential to improve CV risk stratification, strongly justify universal screening to identify individuals with very high levels. Identification of high levels of Lp(a) is a useful consideration for shared decision-making in subjects across all ASCVD risk categories, but especially in younger patients, particularly those who have a very strong family history of premature ASCVD. Although further evidence that directly lowering Lp(a) level reduces ASCVD risk is pending, the finding of high Lp(a) should alert primary care practitioners to more actively pursue an overall ASCVD event risk assessment, including careful discussion of current health behaviours, consideration of age-appropriate vascular imaging studies for detecting early evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis in select individuals (eg, CAC score), and earlier introduction of statin or other lipid-lowering therapy, especially in intermediate-risk individuals and/or low-risk individuals with moderate elevations of LDL-C between 3.5 and 5 mmol/L.
In the setting of secondary prevention, the presence of a high Lp(a) level is strongly predictive of recurrent events, and suggests the need for intensification of LDL-lowering therapy, including use of PCSK9 inhibitors. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggests that treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors post ACS in patients with high Lp(a) reduces MACE independent of LDL-C lowering.
When clinicians are uncertain of the implications of elevated Lp(a), consultation with a lipid specialist might be considered.
PICO 3: In primary prevention, what is the evidence for CAC score to improve risk assessment? Specifically, should low CAC (or CAC = 0) score be used to avoid statin therapy in select individuals?
For primary prevention, most guidelines are on the basis of the concept of ASCVD risk assessment to help determine appropriateness and intensity of ASCVD risk factor modification. The primary prevention RCTs on which the recommendations are based, however, use clinical descriptors to identify patients eligible for study and, as a result, the patients eligible for the proven therapy. None of the algorithms available, including the FRS used in Canada, have been used to determine eligibility for any of the successful, primary prevention lipid-lowering trials. Even so, there is evidence to suggest that use of such algorithms is effective on a population level, more so than identification of patients on the basis of trial eligibility criteria.
Statin use in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease according to 5 major guidelines for sensitivity, specificity, and number needed to treat.
Despite this clinical utility, it has been repeatedly shown that typical ASCVD event risk algorithms can lead to substantial over- or underestimation of ASCVD event risk,
and consequently, inappropriate risk factor management. Additionally, the value of these algorithms for predicting the presence and burden of atheroma is poor.
Is there a role for coronary artery calcium scoring for management of asymptomatic patients at risk for coronary artery disease?: Clinical risk scores are not sufficient to define primary prevention treatment strategies among asymptomatic patients.
Impact of coronary artery calcium on coronary heart disease events in individuals at the extremes of traditional risk factor burden: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
Atheroma burden, the substrate that portends CV events, directly predicts ASCVD event risk in a graded fashion. This has been shown over decades with invasive angiography and more recently with coronary computed tomography, including noncontrast CAC scoring, the latter being highly applicable for assessment of patients who are asymptomatic, and possible candidates for primary prevention.
Prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease and adverse events among symptomatic patients with coronary artery calcification scores of zero undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography: results from the CONFIRM (Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation for Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter) registry.
Accordingly, the literature is replete with clinical studies reinforcing the concept that directly assessing the presence of atheroma, through CAC scoring, significantly improves the appropriate selection of patients who are likely to benefit from lipid modifying therapy.
Race/ethnicity and the prognostic implications of coronary artery calcium for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality: the Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium.
Noncontrast CAC measurements are sensitive, reproducible, and can be performed rapidly with an average radiation dose of 0.89 mSv (compared with background annual radiation exposure of approximately 3.0 mSv). Evidence for improved C-statistic/net reclassification index after adjustment for standard risk factors (FRS) has been shown in multiple studies.
10-Year coronary heart disease risk prediction using coronary artery calcium and traditional risk factors: derivation in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) with validation in the HNR (Heinz Nixdorf Recall) study and the DHS (Dallas Heart Study).
The clinical decision-making utility of CAC measurements is best shown in middle-aged, intermediate-risk populations in whom the presence or absence of coronary artery calcification results in reclassification into higher or lower risk populations. A CAC measurement > 0 AU confirms the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. Increasing scores are directly proportional to increased ASCVD event risk.
Reclassification of coronary heart disease risk in a primary prevention setting: traditional risk factor assessment vs. coronary artery calcium scoring.
A CAC measurement > 100 AU is associated with a high risk (> 2% annual risk) of an ASCVD event within 2-5 years and is generally an indication for intensive CV risk factor modification, including treatment of LDL-C. CAC > 300 AU places the patient in a very high risk category with a 10-year risk of MI/CV death of approximately 28%.
ACCF/SCCT/ACR/AHA/ASE/ASNC/NASCI/SCAI/SCMR 2010 appropriate use criteria for cardiac computed tomography. A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, the American College of Radiology, the American Heart Association, the American Society of Echocardiography, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.
A CAC measurement of 0 AU, however, has a very high negative predictive value for ASCVD events in asymptomatic, low-risk adults within 2-5 years (negative predictive value, 95%-99%).
All-cause and cause-specific mortality in individuals with zero and minimal coronary artery calcium: a long-term, competing risk analysis in the Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium.
Ten-year association of coronary artery calcium with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA).
it is not indicative of a 0 event rate. This is likely because noncalcified soft plaque might be present; not all ASCVD events are mediated by vascular atheroma and atheromas might also progress in an unpredictable fashion. The variability in the development of clinical ASCVD with a CAC score of 0 AU is particularly evident in persons younger than 50 years of age, those with a strong family history of premature CVD events, or in the setting of severe CVD risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, poorly controlled hypertension, and in those with lifelong, genetic dyslipidemias (FH or elevated Lp[a]).
Significance of a positive family history for coronary heart disease in patients with a zero coronary artery calcium score (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).
Coronary artery calcium scoring in low risk patients with family history of coronary heart disease: validation of the SCCT guideline approach in the coronary artery calcium consortium.
These are patient categories that in general would warrant aggressive ASCVD risk factor modification, even if CAC = 0 AU, to enhance the likelihood of maintaining as low an atheroma burden as possible over a lifetime. Conversely, if such high-risk patients do have CAC > 0 AU, this might provide a strong rationale for adherence to aggressive CVD risk factor modification,
Impact of coronary artery calcium scanning on coronary risk factors and downstream testing the EISNER (Early Identification of Subclinical Atherosclerosis by Noninvasive Imaging Research) prospective randomized trial.
The identification of calcified coronary plaque is associated with initiation and continuation of pharmacological and lifestyle preventive therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The effects of statins on the progression of atherosclerosis cannot be assessed through serial CAC scores alone because it does not assess the status of noncalcific plaque. Therapy does not reduce and might even increase CAC scores despite regression of noncalcific plaque components.
Accordingly, repeat CAC scanning is not recommended unless risk factor modification has been deferred through patient-physician shared decision-making.
Although CAC provides direct evidence of atherosclerotic plaque and a quantitative assessment of risk of attendant ASCVD events, controversy exists because of a paucity of large placebo-controlled RCTs and its cost-effectiveness for identification of patients suitable for statin therapy is uncertain,
Implications of coronary artery calcium testing for treatment decisions among statin candidates according to the ACC/AHA cholesterol management guidelines: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
even when applied only to the intermediate-risk group identified using risk algorithms. Importantly, at present, CAC scoring is not uniformly available or uniformly funded in Canada, and there are no cost-effectiveness analyses that represent the Canadian context.
RECOMMENDATION
7.
We suggest that CAC screening using computed tomography imaging might be considered for asymptomatic adults 40 years of age or older and at intermediate risk (FRS 10%-20%) for whom treatment decisions are uncertain (Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence).
8.
We recommend that CAC screening using computed tomography imaging not be undertaken for: (1) high-risk individuals; (2) patients receiving statin treatment; or (3) most asymptomatic, low-risk adults (Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence).
9.
We suggest that CAC screening might be considered for a subset of low-risk individuals 40 years of age or older with a family history of premature ASCVD (men 55 years or younger; women 65 years or younger) in addition to identifying known genetic causes of ASCVD such as elevated Lp(a) level or FH (Weak Recommendation; Low-Quality Evidence).
Values and preferences. Patients with modifiable ASCVD risk factors should be counselled with respect to the potential merit of preventing atherosclerosis itself, the substrate for clinical ASCVD events in the long term, through comprehensive ASCVD risk factor management. As outlined elsewhere, RCTs show the ASCVD risk reduction value of statin therapy in patients with intermediate risk and additional ASCVD risk factors (eg, HOPE 3,
) in the absence of CAC testing or any testing to identify preclinical atherosclerosis. Accordingly, the patient-physician decision often does not require CAC scoring but might be strongly influenced by these other factors, including family history of premature ASCVD, other features suggesting genetic causes of dyslipidemia, or side effects of statin therapy. In some low- to intermediate-risk subjects, it might be reasonable to withhold statin therapy for CAC = 0 AU because of a favourable intermediate-term outcome. Exceptions would include cigarette smokers, patients with diabetes, those with poorly controlled hypertension, genetic dyslipidemias such as FH or elevated Lp(a) level, and patients with strong family history of premature ASCVD events. If available, a CAC > 100 AU is an indication for statin therapy regardless of FRS. For those with a CAC of 1-99 AU, individual decision-making is required because risk will not be reclassified and would remain intermediate. If a decision is made to withhold statin or lipid-modifying therapy on the basis of CAC = 0, this decision should be reevaluated during follow-up or if clinical circumstances change. CAC scoring should rarely be performed sooner than within 5 years to aid in this reevaluation. Finally, this section is restricted to application in patients who are at least 40 years of age for whom the traditional FRS assessment applies. Prevalence of calcification is a sequential aspect of the atherosclerotic process and might be absent in the early phases. Although CAC has been studied extensively for ASCVD risk prediction, the prevalence of CAC is lower in young patients compared with middle-aged and older patients and also in women vs men younger than 50 years of age.
PICO 4: In secondary prevention, what is the most appropriate lipid/lipoprotein threshold for the intensification of therapy?
The totality of evidence from observational, pathophysiological, epidemiological, and Mendelian randomization studies and RCTs of lipid-lowering therapies indicate a causal relationship between LDL-C (as well as non-HDL-C and ApoB) and ASCVD and show that lower concentrations of plasma LDL-C levels are associated with a lower risk of ASCVD events extending to very low LDL-C concentrations (< 0.5 mmol/L).
Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 1. Evidence from genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies. A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel.
Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: pathophysiological, genetic, and therapeutic insights: a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel.
2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines [erratum in: 2019;139:e1182-6].
Cholesterol Treatment Trialists (CTT) Collaborators The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy in people at low risk of vascular disease: meta-analysis of individual data from 27 randomised trials.
In RCTs, however, the absolute benefits of therapy were higher in subsets of patients with higher pretreatment LDL-C and/or additional ASCVD event risk enhancers who were at higher absolute risk.
To date, no clear target to which LDL-C or non HDL-C or ApoB levels should be lowered is clearly identified in RCTs, because such trials have generally used thresholds of LDL-C (or non-HDL-C or ApoB) levels for initiation or intensification of lipid-lowering therapies and fixed-dose lipid-lowering drugs (this pertains to statin RCTs and to RCTs that have used the additional use of nonstatin lipid-lowering agents, such as ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors). Exceptions are the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) trial in which the statin dose was up- or down-titrated aiming for within-trial total cholesterol levels of 3.0-5.2 mmol/L,
Scandinavian Survival Study Group Randomised trial of cholesterol lowering in 4444 patients with coronary heart disease: the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S).
the Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT), which allowed for up-titration of simvastatin to 80 mg daily for in-trial LDL-C levels > 2.0 mmol/L,
and the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial in patients with a recent ACS, which allowed up-and down-titration of alirocumab aiming for an LDL-C target of 0.65-1.3 mmol/L; however, in these trials no randomized comparison with alternate lipid targets was performed.
Additionally, a number of trials comparing different intensities of statin treatment (lower vs higher statin dose) in secondary ASCVD prevention showed benefits for more intensive statin therapy; however, these trials did not explore targets of LDL-C lowering.
Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration Efficacy and safety of more intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of data from 170 000 participants in 26 randomised trials.
One RCT conducted in patients with a recent ischemic stroke showed reductions in major ASCVD events in patients allocated to a strategy of lower LDL-C (< 1.8 mmol/L) vs higher targets (2.3-2.8 mmol/L).
Nevertheless, the lower LDL-C target in this trial is similar to the threshold for intensification of lipid-lowering therapy used in other recent trials and recommended in this guideline document.
A number of studies have shown improved ASCVD outcomes in secondary prevention patients reaching lower in-trial LDL-C levels, but these trials are observational and did not test targets of therapy.
Clinical efficacy and safety of achieving very low LDL-cholesterol concentrations with the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab: a prespecified secondary analysis of the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial.
Therefore, we recommend the use of thresholds for intensification of lipid therapy in secondary prevention. Most recent large RCTs have used an LDL-C threshold of 1.8 mmol/L for intensification of lipid-lowering therapy with nonstatin drugs in secondary ASCVD prevention patients receiving a maximally tolerated statin dose. Using this threshold, it is expected that most patients will achieve low and very low LDL-C levels, similar to those reached in clinical trials.
The threshold for the additional use of ezetimibe was an LDL-C of 1.3 mmol/L, although in IMPROVE-IT most patients had a higher baseline LDL-C (average 2.45 mmol/L), statin therapy was restricted to only simvastatin (more potent statins were not used) and the modest 6% relative risk reduction was attained only after a long period of treatment (median 6 years). Therefore, we recommend the more robust LDL-C threshold of ≥ 1.8 mmol/L (or percentile equivalent non-HDL-C of ≥ 2.4 mmol/L or ApoB of ≥ 0.7 g/L).
Recent analyses of the large PCSK9 inhibitor trials (FOURIER
Implications of coronary artery calcium testing for treatment decisions among statin candidates according to the ACC/AHA cholesterol management guidelines: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
) have identified subsets of patients with established CVD who are at very high risk and who derived the largest absolute benefit for intensification of lipid-lowering therapy with evolocumab and alirocumab, respectively. This includes patients with recent ACS and those with ASCVD and additional CV risk enhancers including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, polyvascular disease (vascular disease in ≥ 2 arterial beds), symptomatic peripheral artery disease, history of MI, MI in the past 2 years, previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery, LDL ≥ 2.6 mmol/L, heterozygous FH and Lp(a) ≥ 60 mg/dL.
Efficacy of evolocumab on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with recent myocardial infarction: a prespecified secondary analysis from the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial.
Cardiovascular safety and efficacy of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab in patients with and without diabetes and the effect of evolocumab on glycaemia and risk of new-onset diabetes: a prespecified analysis of the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) randomized controlled trial.
Efficacy and safety of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with metabolic syndrome receiving statin therapy: secondary analysis from the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) randomized clinical trial.
Effects of alirocumab on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes after acute coronary syndrome in patients with or without diabetes: a prespecified analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES randomised controlled trial.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering with evolocumab and outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease. Insights from the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER).
Clinical benefit of evolocumab by severity and extent of coronary artery disease: analysis from Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER).
Intensification of lipid-lowering therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors is especially recommended in these subsets of very high risk patients (see Table 3), with or without the additional use of ezetimibe, which was used in only a small number of patients in these trials. Use of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in these subsets of patients was shown to result in rapid and large reductions in LDL-C and in significant CVD event reduction. In most other secondary prevention patients, the use of ezetimibe followed by PCSK9 inhibitor therapy is recommended when the LDL-C ≥ 1.8 mmol/L.
Table 3Secondary prevention patients shown to derive the largest benefit from intensification of statin therapy with the additional use of a PCSK9 inhibitor
Recent acute coronary event (ACS) • Hospitalized index ACS to 52 weeks post index ACS
Clinically evident ASCVD and any of the following • Diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome • Polyvascular disease (vascular disease in ≥ 2 arterial beds) • Symptomatic PAD • Recurrent MI • MI in the past 2 years • Previous CABG surgery • LDL-C ≥ 2.6 mmol/L or heterozygous FH • Lipoprotein(a) ≥ 60 mg/dL (120 nmol/L)
The previous 2016 CCS dyslipidemia guidelines did not emphasize the role of plasma triglyceride levels as a threshold or target for lipid-lowering therapy aimed at reducing CVD risk.
However, the recent Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) showed a CV risk reduction (including reduction in CV death) in patients with ASCVD (as well as in those 50 years old or older with type 2 diabetes requiring medication treatment and at least 1 additional CVD risk factor) receiving moderate and high-intensity statin therapy with triglyceride levels of 1.5-5.6 mmol/L and LDL-C levels of 1.1-2.6 mmol/L.
We recommend use of high-intensity statin therapy in addition to appropriate health behaviour modifications for all secondary prevention CVD patients. For patients who do not tolerate a high-intensity statins, we recommend the maximally tolerated statin dose (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
11.
We recommend intensification of lipid-lowering therapy with a PCSK9 inhibitor (evolocumab or alirocumab)—with or without the additional use of ezetimibe—for secondary CV prevention patients shown to derive the largest benefit from PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in whom LDL-C remains ≥ 1.8 mmol/L (or non-HDL-C ≥ 2.4 mmol/L or ApoB ≥ 0.7 g/L) while receiving the maximally tolerated statin dose (Fig. 3; Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence). Secondary prevention patients shown to derive the largest benefit from intensification of statin therapy with PCSK9 inhibitor therapy are defined in Table 3.
12.
We recommend intensification of lipid-lowering therapy with ezetimibe and/or PCSK9 inhibitor therapy for all secondary prevention CVD patients in whom LDL-C remains ≥ 1.8 mmol/L (or non-HDL-C ≥ 2.4 mmol/L or ApoB ≥ 0.7 g/L) while receiving the maximally tolerated statin dose. (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence). If ezetimibe is used initially and LDL-C remains ≥ 1.8 mmol/L (or non-HDL-C ≥ 2.4 mmol/L or ApoB ≥ 0.7 g/L) PCSK9 inhibitor therapy is recommended (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
It should be noted that one recommendation on the basis of the evidence review of PICO question 4 were overlapping with a recommendation for PICO question 5 and appear as part of that later section (Recommendation 15).
Values and preferences. On the basis of strong evidence for the benefit of intensive LDL-C lowering in secondary prevention, additional lipid-lowering therapy with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors might also be considered for ASCVD patients with an LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L, especially for patients considered to be at high risk for recurrent ASCVD events. When initiating intensified lipid-lowering therapy with nonstatin drugs, cost, and access to such therapies should be considered.
There is no evidence to suggest any CV or other risks associated with low and very low LDL-C levels in trials with moderate duration of follow-up.
Clinical efficacy and safety of achieving very low LDL-cholesterol concentrations with the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab: a prespecified secondary analysis of the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial.
Therefore, if intensified lipid-lowering therapy initiated for the previously listed thresholds result in low and very low LDL-C levels, lipid-lowering therapy does generally not require down-titration dose adjustment.
Practical tip. Although there is very good evidence supporting the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with ASCVD (especially those listed in Table 3), access might be limited by provincial drug plan coverage in many jurisdictions. Patients with or without private drug plan coverage might need to pay some portion of the cost of these expensive medications. Patient support programs for these medications could be investigated to assist. Clinicians should discuss the indication and potential benefits of a PCSK9 inhibitor with the patient, along with the coverage issues and the potential costs to them. Shared decision-making remains key.
PICO 5: In adults already receiving (or intolerant to) statins, what is the role of nonstatin drugs to reduce CVD risk?
Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that lowers LDL-C by approximately 20% in addition to a statin regimen or up to 15% as monotherapy. Only in 1 double-blind, RCT has the efficacy of ezetimibe been assessed in reducing CV risk. The IMPROVE-IT showed that ezetimibe 10 mg daily, compared with placebo and used in addition to statin therapy, showed a modest reduction in CV events in 18,144 patients with an ACS within the preceding 10 days.
The primary composite outcome of death from CV causes, major coronary events, and nonfatal stroke was 2% lower with ezetimibe (32.7 vs 34.7%; HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99) for a number need to treat of 50 over 7 years. There were no significant differences between groups in the prespecified safety end points. This evidence informed the 2016 guideline recommendation for ezetimibe as second-line therapy to reduce CV risk in patients with ASCVD if their LDL-C targets were not reached with maximally tolerated statin therapy.
Subsequently, in the Heart Institute of Japan-Proper Level of Lipid Lowering With Pitavastatin and Ezetimibe in Acute Coronary Syndrome (HIJ-PROPER) trial open-label pitavastatin with ezetimibe (target LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L) was compared with pitavastatin monotherapy (target LDL-C 2.3-2.6 mmol/L) in 1734 Japanese patients with an ACS. Over 3.9 years, the primary composite outcome of all-cause death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, unstable angina, and ischemia-driven revascularization was not significantly different between groups (32.8 vs 36.9%; HR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.04).
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targeting with pitavastatin + ezetimibe for patients with acute coronary syndrome and dyslipidaemia: the HIJ-PROPER study, a prospective, open-label, randomized trial.
Inhibitors of PCSK9 are recently available monoclonal antibodies that lower LDL-C between 50% and 70% when used in addition to statin therapy or as monotherapy.
Currently, two PCSK9 inhibitors are approved for use in Canada: alirocumab and evolocumab. Both are approved for the treatment of FH or ASCVD in patients as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy (with or without ezetimibe) who require additional lowering of LDL-C.
The FOURIER trial enrolled 27,564 patients with clinical ASCVD and additional CVD risk factors whose LDL-C remained ≥ 1.8 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy. Patients were randomized to receive evolocumab (140 mg subcutaneously (SC) every 2 weeks or 420 mg SC monthly) or placebo.
Baseline LDL-C was 2.4 mmol/L, which after 48 weeks was reduced to a median of 0.8 mmol/L (interquartile range, 0.5-1.2 mmol/L) in the evolocumab group. After 2.2 years of follow-up, the primary outcome of CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, and coronary revascularization was lower with evolocumab (9.8% vs 11.3%; HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.92) for a number needed to treat of 67. Evolocumab also reduced the secondary end point of CV death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke (5.9% vs 7.4%; HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73-0.88). There was no significant difference in CV or all-cause death. Serious adverse events were similar between groups, although injection site reactions were higher with evolocumab (2.1% vs 1.6%; P < 0.001).
In the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial alirocumab was evaluated in 18,924 patients with a recent (1-12 months) ACS whose LDL-C was ≥ 1.8 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy.
Participants were randomized to alirocumab (75 mg SC every 2 weeks to achieve an LDL-C of 0.6-1.3 mmol/L) or placebo. The dose of alirocumab was increased to 150 mg SC every 2 weeks if a participant's LDL-C level remained > 1.3 mmol/L or decreased or discontinued if their LDL-C level was < 0.6 mmol/L. The primary outcome of death from coronary heart disease, nonfatal MI, fatal or nonfatal ischemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization was lower with alirocumab (9.5% vs 11.1%; HR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.93) for a number needed to treat of 63 over 2 years. All-cause mortality was numerically lower with alirocumab (3.5% vs 4.1%), but on the basis of the authors’ prespecified hierarchical testing, it is debatable whether this can be considered statistically significant. There was no significant difference in CV death between groups. There was no significant difference in serious adverse events, but injection site reactions were more common with alirocumab (3.8% vs 2.1%; P < 0.001).
A recent meta-analysis of 23 trials (including FOURIER and ODYSSEY OUTCOMES) compared PCSK9 inhibitors with control in 60,723 patients.
There was a significant reduction in MACE (6.2% vs 8.2%; risk ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78-0.88) with no significant difference in all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85-1.02) or safety outcomes. Of note, these trials had short follow-up (median of 2.8 years) and therefore might not have been of sufficient duration to observe a mortality benefit.
Although ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor are reasonable options as monotherapy in patients with complete statin intolerance for LDL-C lowering, there is limited evidence to support either class as an alternative to statin therapy for ASCVD risk reduction. The Study of Alirocumab (REGN727/SAR236553) in Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia and Moderate, High, or Very High Cardiovascular (CV) Risk, Who Are Intolerant to Statins (ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE) trial enrolled 314 patients with statin intolerance who were randomized to alirocumab 75 mg SC every 2 weeks, ezetimibe 10 mg daily, or atorvastatin 20 mg daily.
At 24 weeks, alirocumab reduced LDL-C by a mean difference of 30% compared with ezetimibe. Skeletal muscle-related adverse effects were high overall, but significantly lower with alirocumab (33%) vs atorvastatin (46%) and similar to ezetimibe (41%). The Goal Achievement After Utilizing an Anti-PCSK9 Antibody in Statin Intolerant Subjects-3 (GAUSS-3) trial included 218 patients considered to have previous statin intolerance who were randomized to evolocumab 420 mg SC monthly or ezetimibe 10 mg orally daily.
Evolocumab showed a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C compared with ezetimibe (mean difference, 36%) at 24 weeks. The incidence of muscle symptoms was relatively high in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (21% vs 29%; P = 0.17).
Clinical trials have shown that PCSK9 inhibitors are effective at lowering LDL-C in patients with heterozygous FH
but there is currently a paucity of ASCVD outcome data in these populations.
Primary prevention
There are currently no RCT data supporting the use of PCSK9 inhibitors to reduce CV events in patients who do not have established ASCVD (ie, primary CV prevention) or FH.
IPE
Until recently, contemporary trials of omega-3 fatty acid supplements have not shown a CV benefit in patients with or without CVD.
Previously, the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS) showed a reduction in CV events with 1800 mg daily of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) combined with a statin, compared with statin monotherapy, in Japanese patients with a total cholesterol ≥ 6.5 mmol/L; however, it was an open-label trial and the primary outcome was driven by a minor reduction in unstable angina.
Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on major coronary events in hypercholesterolaemic patients (JELIS): a randomised open-label, blinded endpoint analysis.
In total, 8179 patients were included with established ASCVD (or diabetes and ≥ 1 ASCVD risk factor) who were receiving statin therapy but had an elevated fasting triglyceride level of 1.5-5.6 mmol/L (baseline 2.4 mmol/L). Most patients (71%) were in the secondary prevention cohort. Participants were randomized to 2000 mg of IPE orally twice daily (4 g total per day) or mineral oil as placebo. At 1 year, participants’ triglyceride level in the IPE group was modestly reduced by 0.4 mmol/L (approximately 18%) from baseline. IPE reduced the primary outcome of CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, unstable angina, or CV revascularization (17.2% vs 22.0%; HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.83) for a number needed to treat of 21 over 4.9 years. IPE also significantly reduced the composite of CV death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke (11.2% vs 14.8%; HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.83), as well as CV death (4.3% vs 5.2%; HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98), but not all-cause death. Atrial fibrillation and peripheral edema were significantly higher with IPE. Because IPE is a purified form of ethyl EPA, the results of REDUCE-IT cannot be extrapolated to other nonprescription omega-3 fatty acids, which typically contain a mixture of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
The Outcomes Study to Assess Statin Residual Risk Reduction With Epanova in High CV Risk Patients With Hypertriglyceridemia (STRENGTH) trial aimed to evaluate a pharmaceutical carboxylic acid formulation of EPA and DHA (referred to as omega-3 CA) to prevent MACE in 13,078 patients with hypertriglyceridemia (2.0-5.6 mmol/L), low HDL-C (< 1.2 mmol/L for women and < 1.1 mmol/L for men) who were receiving statin therapy, and were at increased risk of CVD.
Effect of high-dose omega-3 fatty acids vs corn oil on major adverse cardiovascular events in patients at high cardiovascular risk: the STRENGTH randomized clinical trial.
Patients were randomized to receive 4 g/d of omega-3 CA or corn oil placebo. The trial was discontinued prematurely after a median follow-up of 3.5 years for futility. The primary end point of CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, and coronary revascularization was not significantly different between groups (12.0% vs 12.2%; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.90-1.09). Patient-reported gastrointestinal disorders were more common in patients in the omega-3 CA group (24.7% vs 14.7%).
Other therapies
There are no new recommendations regarding the use of fibrates, niacin, and bile acid sequestrants since the 2016 guidelines.
There are a number of ongoing trials of nonstatin therapy. Effect of Evolocumab in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk Without Prior Myocardial Infarction or Stroke (VESALIUS-CV) is designed to examine the effect of evolocumab at reducing MACE in patients without a previous MI or stroke but who are at high risk of CVD.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Effect of evolocumab in patients at high cardiovascular risk without prior myocardial infarction or stroke (VERSALIUS-CV). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03872401. Accessed September 3, 2020.
Inclisiran is an experimental small interfering RNA molecule that inhibits the translation of PCSK9. In the phase III Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Inclisiran Treatment on Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Subjects With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (ORION-9), Inclisiran for Participants With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Elevated Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (ORION-10), and Inclisiran for Subjects With ASCVD or ASCVD-Risk Equivalents and Elevated Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (ORION-11) trials, inclisiran showed LDL-C lowering in patients with heterozygous FH or with, or at high risk of, atherosclerotic CVD.
The ongoing phase III A Randomized Trial Assessing the Effects of Inclisiran on Clinical Outcomes Among People With Cardiovascular Disease (ORION-4) is evaluating whether this LDL-C reduction with inclisiran translates to a reduction in MACE among patients with CVD.
ClinicalTrials.gov. A randomized trial assessing the effects of inclisiran on clinical outcomes among people with cardiovascular disease (ORION-4). Available at:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03705234. Accessed September 3, 2020.
The Effect of Dalcetrapib vs Placebo on CV Risk in a Genetically Defined Population With a Recent ACS (dal-GenE) study aims to assess the effect of dalcetrapib, a cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (not approved by Health Canada), in patients with a recent ACS and specific genotype.
ClincalTrials.gov. Effect of dalcetrapib vs placebo on CV risk on a genetically defined population with a recent ACS (dal-GenE). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02525939. Accessed September 3, 2020.
The Cholesterol Lowering via Bempedoic Acid, an ACL-Inhibiting Regimen (CLEAR) Outcomes trial is evaluating the effect of bempedoic acid, a novel adenosine triphosphate (ATP) citrate lyase inhibitor not approved in Canada, in patients with, or at high risk for, ASCVD who are statin-intolerant.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Evaluation of major cardiovascular events in patients with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease who are statin intolerant treated with bempedoic acid (ETC-1002) or placebo (CLEAR Outcomes). Available at:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02993406. Accessed September 3, 2020.
Finally, the Pemafibrate to Reduce Cardiovascular Outcomes by Reducing Triglycerides in Patients With Diabetes (PROMINENT) trial is determining whether pemafibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist (which is not approved for use in Canada) reduces MACE in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated triglycerides, and low HDL-C.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Pemafibrate to reduce cardiovascular outcomes by reducing triglycerides in patients with diabetes (PROMINENT). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03071692. Accessed September 3, 2020.
We recommend the use of IPE to decrease the risk of CV events in patients with ASCVD, or with diabetes and ≥ 1 CVD risk factors, who have an elevated fasting triglyceride level of 1.5-5.6 mmol/L despite treatment with maximally tolerated statin therapy (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence). Refer to Figure 3.
14.
We recommend the use of a PCSK9 inhibitor (alirocumab or evolocumab) to lower LDL-C level in patients with heterozygous FH without clinical ASCVD whose LDL-C remains above the target (ie, LDL-C ≥ 2.5 mmol/L or < 50% reduction from baseline; or ApoB ≥ 0.85 mg/dL or non-HDL-C ≥ 3.2 mmol/L) despite maximally tolerated statin therapy with or without ezetimibe therapy (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
15.
We recommend the use of a PCSK9 inhibitor (alirocumab or evolocumab) for patients with heterozygous FH and ASCVD whose LDL-C remains above the threshold ≥ 1.8 mmol/L (or ApoB ≥ 0.7 mg/dL or non-HDL-C ≥ 2.4 mmol/L) despite maximally tolerated statin therapy, with or without ezetimibe (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
It should be noted that 2 recommendations on the basis of the evidence review of PICO question 5 were overlapping with recommendations made for PICO question 4 and appear as part of that earlier section (Recommendations 1 and 2).
Values and preferences. None of these agents have been evaluated in RCTs against each other. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the relative benefit of each therapy. Also, to date these agents have primarily been evaluated in patients with preexisting ASCVD (ie, secondary prevention). The choice of agent should be on the basis of individual patient factors, their values and preferences, and practical considerations, such as access, cost, and adherence. Because ezetimibe lowers LDL-C level by approximately 20% when used in addition to a statin, if a patient's LDL-C is well above the threshold for therapy intensification (ie, > 2.2 mmol/L or > 20% above threshold), it might be preferable to consider a PCSK9 inhibitor as second-line therapy. However, because of cost considerations, some insurance providers might require a trial of ezetimibe before approving the use of a PCSK9 inhibitor. IPE should be preferentially reserved for patients aged ≥ 45 years of age (or ≥ 50 years of age with ≥ 1 CVD risk factor) who are receiving maximally tolerated statin therapy but have a residual elevated triglyceride level (1.5-5.6 mmol/L). Because IPE is a purified form of ethyl EPA, it should not be inferred that the same CV benefits could be derived from the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) formulations that include EPA alone, EPA and DHA mixtures, or fish oils from supplements or dietary sources.
The recommendation for treatment of patients with FH is on the basis of the 2018 update to the CCS position statement on FH.
The recommendation for PCSK9 inhibitors to lower LDL-C level is on the basis of high-quality evidence; however, there is a relative paucity of RCT evidence to support any agent to reduce the risk of CV events in FH patients.
Practical tip. Unlike the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with ASCVD, access to these medications is covered by most provincial drug plans for patients with heterozygous FH (with or without ASCVD) with LDL-C level above the threshold. Although the evidence for IPE to decrease the risk of CV events in patients with ASCVD, or with diabetes and ≥ 1 CVD risk factors is good, it is relatively new and most provincial drug plans do not yet cover this expensive medication. Private plans might cover this drug for patients on the basis of specific criteria and there is a manufacturer patient assistance program that might facilitate access. As part of shared decision-making, clinicians should discuss the indication and potential benefits of IPE, as well as the coverage issues and the potential patient costs.
PICO 6: In primary and secondary prevention, what is the evidence for CV benefit of omega-3 from (1) dietary sources; and/or (2) over-the-counter formulations/supplements?
Despite the success of the REDUCE-IT trial in showing a purified prescription IPE at 4 g/d reduces major CVD events in statin-treated patients with elevated triglyceride levels who have established CVD or diabetes and at least 1 CVD risk factor,
supplementation with over-the-counter long-chain omega-3 PUFAs marketed as natural health products in Canada that include EPA alone, EPA and DHA mixtures, or fish oils from supplements or dietary sources does not offer any clear advantages for CVD event risk reduction. We updated a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs with data from 2 subsequently completed RCTs, A Study of Cardiovascular Events in Diabetes (ASCEND)
Another large CVD outcomes trial of a pharmaceutical drug of mixed long-chain omega-3 (largely EPA and DHA) carboxylic acids (omega-3 CA) at 4 g/d with similar entry criteria to the REDUCE-IT trial was also discontinued early by the data safety monitoring board for futility with the drug unlikely to show a benefit to patients.
Effect of high-dose omega-3 fatty acids vs corn oil on major adverse cardiovascular events in patients at high cardiovascular risk: the STRENGTH randomized clinical trial.
A meta-analysis shows that docosahexaenoic acid from algal oil reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease.
however, have shown consistent triglyceride-lowering effects at high doses (2-4 g/d) of omega-3 PUFAs, independent of CVD event risk reduction.
RECOMMENDATION
16.
We do not recommend the use of over-the-counter omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements (marketed as natural health products in Canada) to reduce CVD risk (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence).
Values and preferences. Although there is no apparent overall CVD event risk benefit, patients might choose to use these supplements for other indications including the management of high triglycerides, for which very high doses are required (4 g/d), and for which fibrates are generally more effective. Individuals should be aware that, in addition to marine sources, there are different preparations of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs high in DHA and EPA from algal and yeast sources, both of which are suitable for vegans. There is also alpha-linolenic acid from plant sources that do not contain DHA or EPA including flax seeds, chia seeds, and some oils such as canola and soybean oil, which have little or no effect on triglycerides.
Conclusions
In this focused revision of the CCS guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia, the committee has distilled several years of new research in CV risk assessment (especially as it pertains to women), lipoprotein biomarkers, and coronary artery calcium scanning. The committee also reviewed several major landmark RCTs of novel therapies to treat dyslipidemia. On the basis of the best available evidence to date, we have developed several new recommendations for clinicians to more accurately assess their patients’ CV risk and optimally manage their lipid disorders. We acknowledge that the science surrounding CV risk and dyslipidemia management is evolving and therefore these recommendations can only be viewed as the best practices on the basis of the currently available evidence. Nonetheless, the objective of any guideline is to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date knowledge and tools to help them make informed decisions with their patients. Appendix 1 provides an at-a-glance, step-wise summary of the management of adult patients with dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, based on the 2021 CCS dyslipidemia guidelines.
The past few years has realized significant progress in the management of dyslipidemia, with several new therapies currently available and more in development. With continued efforts to prioritize healthy lifestyles and the use of new pharmacotherapeutic options available to treat eligible patients, we hope to realize further reductions in morbidity and mortality from ASCVD in Canada.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Andrea Quattini (Assistant Librarian, Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering McGill University, Montreal, Quebec) for her assistance in searching the medical literature for evidence to be reviewed and inform the recommendations for PICO question 1. We also thank Andre Mattman, MD, St Paul's Hospital Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Pierre Douville, MD, President of the Canadian Association of Medical Biochemists (CAMB) and Ted Dunn, PhD, President-Elect of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) for their survey on the availability of lipid/lipoprotein tests and nonfasting lipid testing across jurisdictions in Canada.
We are very grateful for the thoughtful feedback and comments provided by the members of the 2021 Lipids Secondary Review Panel members: Ranjani Aiyar, MD, Canadian Society of Internal Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Alexis Baass, MD, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; N. John Bosomworth, MD, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Liam Brunham, MD, PhD, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Health Care Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Alice Cheng, MD, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dan Dattani, MBBS, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, and St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ross Feldman, MD, Memorial University, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada; Geoff Lewis, MSc, RPh, Canadian Pharmacists Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Karen Then, CCN(C), ACNP, PhD, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Sheldon Tobe, MD, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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