Steven Nissen, MD, Discusses the "Sweet Spot" for Bempedoic Acid Among Non-Statin Therapies

Steven Nissen, MD, spoke with Patient Care about the findings from the landmark CLEAR Outcomes trial that show the rate of major CV event reduction with the nonstatin lipid lowering agent to be similar to the rate observed with PCSK9 inhibitors. But PCSK9 inhibitors are not indicated for all individuals at elevated ASCVD risk, Nissen pointed out. Bempedoic acid, he said, will be an important addition to the treatment armamentarium for any clinician who treats lipids, particularly given its demonstrated tolerability among statin-intolerant patients who "need a lot of LDL-C reduction," and also for its anti-inflammatory properties. Bempedoic acid can also be combined with other medications, including the PCSK9 inhibitors, for an added 22% reduction in LDL-C. Overall, the drug is well tolerated, has good LDL-C lowering properties and now is proven to reduce cardiovascular events, concluded the CLEAR Outcomes primary investigator.

Nissen is Chief Academic Officer, Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH and the primary investigator for the bempedoic acid and bempedoic acid plus ezetimibe clinical trial program, including CLEAR Outcomes.