FAQ: PCSK9 Inhibitor Evolocumab Reduces Cardiovascular Events in High-Risk Patients Without Prior Heart Attack or Stroke
TL;DR
Evolocumab provides a 25% competitive advantage in preventing first major cardiovascular events for high-risk patients without prior heart attacks or strokes.
The VESALIUS-CV trial demonstrated that evolocumab lowers LDL cholesterol by 55% and reduces cardiovascular events through PCSK9 inhibition over 4.6 years.
This treatment advancement helps create a healthier world by preventing first cardiovascular events and extending lives for millions at risk globally.
A new study reveals evolocumab cuts heart attack risk by 36% and achieves LDL levels as low as 45 mg/dL in high-risk patients.
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The trial found that adding evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, to high-intensity cholesterol-lowering regimens reduced the risk of coronary heart disease death, heart attack, or ischemic stroke by 25% in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes who had no prior heart attack or stroke.
This represents the first demonstration of improved cardiovascular outcomes with a PCSK9 inhibitor (or any non-statin medication) in patients without previous heart attack or stroke who are already receiving high-intensity lipid-lowering treatment.
The trial included adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or diabetes who had no history of a major cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke.
Participants taking evolocumab had a 25% reduction in risk of coronary heart disease death, heart attack, or ischemic stroke, and a 19% reduction in risk of these events plus arterial revascularization over a median follow-up of more than four and a half years.
Evolocumab is a PCSK9 inhibitor medication that lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and is added to existing cholesterol treatment regimens.
The results were presented on November 8, 2025, at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
ASCVD is caused by plaque buildup in arterial walls and includes conditions such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and aortic atherosclerotic disease.
The study followed participants for an average of 4.6 years to assess cardiovascular outcomes.
The full, peer-reviewed manuscript was simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine alongside the conference presentation.
The international VESALIUS-CV (TIMI 66) clinical trial was led by Dr. Erin A. Bohula from Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and the TIMI Study Group.
Curated from NewMediaWire
