Effectiveness of Lipid-lowering Therapy for the Secondary Prevention and Achievement of Therapeutic Goals in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases in Accordance with the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2018 Guidelines on the Management of Blood Cholesterol

Abstract

Introduction: According to the India Report 2020, Kerala had the highest prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor that can prevent secondary events. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2018 Guidelines for the management of blood cholesterol for secondary prevention of clinical ASCVD recommend high-intensity statins and moderate-intensity statin combination therapy for achieving target low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). We conducted a study to evaluate the achievement of therapeutic goals in accordance with the guidelines in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and twenty adult patients prescribed with high-intensity statin monotherapy (atorvastatin 40 mg, rosuvastatin 20 mg, and rosuvastatin 40 mg) or moderate-intensity statin combination therapy (atorvastatin 10 mg and fenofibrate 145 mg) for the secondary prevention of ASCVD event were included. Data were collected from the medical records and patient interviews. Achievement of the therapeutic goal of LDL-C ≤70 mg/dL in accordance with guidelines was evaluated and compared; the mean percentage change in LDL-C was at the baseline and after 3 months. Patients were counselled on lifestyle modifications and educated about hypolipidemic agents. Since we are aiming for secondary prevention, the patients were given appropriate counselling concerning their disease and medications they are on. Dietary lifestyle modifications were also taught. Results: One hundred and thirty-eight patients achieved the therapeutic goal, with atorvastatin 40 mg (89.37%) being the most prescribed drug, followed by rosuvastatin 20 mg (5.62%) while rosuvastatin 40 mg had a higher efficacy with mean LDL reduction 65.71 ± 15.93 at 3 months follow-up. Comparing the adherence scores before and after patient counseling, the P value was found to be < 0.001, indicating it is significant. Conclusion: Lifestyle modifications and lipid-lowering therapy are crucial to tackle dyslipidemia. Poor achievement of therapeutic goals implies the need for adopting measures to improve adherence and health-related outcomes for patients with ASCVD.