The Impact of Novel Lipid-Lowering Agents on Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Reducing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the aim of lipid-lowering therapy (ASCVD). It is commonly acknowledged that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a major cause of ASCVD. Several online databases and search engines, such as Pub- Med and the Cochrane Library, were used to conduct a thorough search.

Methods: This study included RCTs assessing the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on cardiovascular events. The RevMan 5.4 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. This analysis included nine RCTs in total.

Results: Meta-analysis of the included studies showed that the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides were reduced after the use of PCSK9 inhibitors, and HDL levels were increased, which is good cholesterol. Most adverse cardiac events (MACE) were reduced after the use of PCSK9 inhibitors.

Conclusion: In conclusion, ezetimibe, a PCSK9 inhibitor added to statin therapy, further reduces MACE risk without affecting all-cause mortality, even though statins already significantly reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality.

Keywords: LDL cholesterol reduction; PCSK9 inhibitors; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular risk reduction.; ezetimibe; lipid-lowering agents; major adverse cardiovascular events; statin therapy.