Evolocumab-based LDL-C management in high and very high cardiovascular risk patients in German clinical practice : the HEYMANS study

Abstract

Introduction:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is among the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In very high-risk patients, the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines recommend attaining LDL-C < 55 mg/dL. In the German cohort of the observational HEYMANS study, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and LDL-C control among patients initiating evolocumab. Methods:

Data was collected between 09/2016 and 05/2021 for ≤ 6 months before (retrospectively) and ≤ 30 months after evolocumab initiation (prospectively). Patient characteristics, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), lipid values, evolocumab use, and safety were collected. Results:

Of 380 enrolled patients, 93% received evolocumab in secondary prevention and 69% had a history of statin intolerance. At study baseline, 49% did not receive any statins and LDL-C was very high (145 mg/dL). Use of evolocumab decreased LDL-C by a median of 53% within 3 months and remained stable thereafter, despite mainly unchanged background LLT. Overall, 59% attained an LDL-C level < 55 mg/dL (69% with, 49% without LLT). Persistence to evolocumab was 90.6% in months 1–12 and 93.5% in months 13–30. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 8% of patients. Conclusion:

Data from the German HEYMANS cohort corroborate previous reports on evolocumab effectiveness and safety in clinical practice. Evolocumab initiation was associated with a rapid and sustained LDL-C reduction. Persistence with evolocumab was high. Our finding that patients receiving an evolocumab/LLT combination are more likely to attain the LDL-C goal than those receiving evolocumab alone corroborates previous data showing the importance of using highly intensive therapy. Graphical abstract available for this article.