LDL-C LIMBO: Employing Strategies to Reach LDL-C Goals When Statin Therapy Is Not Enough

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a common problem that, if left untreated, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Although statin therapy is the mainstay of treatment, nearly 20 million people in the United States have persistently elevated LDL-C despite maximally tolerated statin therapy, and up to 20% experience dose-limiting adverse events. Nonstatin therapies can be used safely and effectively to reduce LDL-C in high-risk patients. This CE initiative explores clinical trial data of nonstatin therapies to illustrate the unique characteristics of these drugs, examines guidelines and consensus opinions regarding diagnosis and treatment, and demonstrates through patient cases appropriate selection of agents for optimal outcomes.