primary prevention

PMID (1):

40207842

MeSH

cholesterol

Bempedoic Acid for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Statin-Intolerant Patients

A summary of the evidence and recommendations regarding treatment of people over 75 with statins. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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The risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease increases with advancing age. Elevated LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol levels remain predictive of incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular events among individuals older than 75 years. Risk prediction among older individuals is less certain because most current risk calculators lack specificity in those older than 75 years and do not adjust for co-morbidities, functional status, frailty, and cognition which significantly impact prognosis in this age group. Data on the benefits and risks of lowering LDL-cholesterol with statins in older patients without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are also limited since most primary prevention trials have included mostly younger patients. Available data suggest that statin therapy in older primary prevention patients may reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular events and that benefits from lipid-lowering with statins outweigh potential risks such as statin-associated muscle symptoms and incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus. While some evidence suggests the possibility that statins may be associated with incident cognitive impairment in older adults, a preponderance of literature indicates neutral or even protective statin-related cognitive effects. Shared decision-making which is recommended for all patients when considering statin therapy is particularly important in older patients. Randomized clinical trial data evaluating the use of non-statin lipid-lowering therapy in older patients are sparse. Deprescribing of lipid-lowering agents may be appropriate for select patients older than 75 years with life-limiting diseases. Finally, a patient-centered approach should be taken when considering primary prevention strategies for older adults.

Author/s:

Vera Bittner, Sunny A Linnebur, Dave L Dixon, Daniel E Forman, Ariel R Green

Bempedoic Acid for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Statin-Intolerant Patients

Aubrey Delammermore — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

July 15, 2023

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

July 11, 2023

Issue:

Volume:

330

Pages:

131-140

URL:

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2023.9696

Keywords

Cardiovascular Diseases

stroke

drug therapy

bempedoic acid

statin-intolerant patients

PMID (1):

37354546

MeSH

Cardiovascular Diseases* / chemically induced

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* / adverse effects

Myocardial Infarction* / mortality

Stroke* / drug therapy

Recommendations on screening for primary prevention of fragility fractures

In this large RCT of patients at very high risk of CV events but no history of events, bempedoic acid 180mg daily reduced risk of MI, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality by 0.8%, 1.3%, and 1.6% (absolute risk reductions) respectively over a period of 39 months.

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Importance: The effects of bempedoic acid on cardiovascular outcomes in statin-intolerant patients without a prior cardiovascular event (primary prevention) have not been fully described.

Objective: To determine the effects of bempedoic acid on cardiovascular outcomes in primary prevention patients.

Design, setting, and participants: This masked, randomized clinical trial enrolled 13 970 statin-intolerant patients (enrollment December 2016 to August 2019 at 1250 centers in 32 countries), including 4206 primary prevention patients.

Interventions: Participants were randomized to oral bempedoic acid, 180 mg daily (n = 2100), or matching placebo (n = 2106).

Main outcome measures: The primary efficacy measure was the time from randomization to the first occurrence of any component of a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or coronary revascularization.

Results: Mean participant age was 68 years, 59% were female, and 66% had diabetes. From a mean baseline of 142.2 mg/dL, compared with placebo, bempedoic acid reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 30.2 mg/dL (21.3%) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels by 0.56 mg/L (21.5%), from a median baseline of 2.4 mg/L. Follow-up for a median of 39.9 months was associated with a significant risk reduction for the primary end point (111 events [5.3%] vs 161 events [7.6%]; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.55-0.89]; P = .002) and key secondary end points, including the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke (83 events [4.0%] vs 134 events [6.4%]; HR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.48-0.84]; P < .001); MI (29 events [1.4%] vs 47 events [2.2%]; HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.39-0.98]); cardiovascular death (37 events [1.8%] vs 65 events [3.1%]; HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.41-0.92]); and all-cause mortality (75 events [3.6%] vs 109 events [5.2%]; HR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.54-0.98]). There was no significant effect on stroke or coronary revascularization. Adverse effects with bempedoic acid included a higher incidence of gout (2.6% vs 2.0%), cholelithiasis (2.5% vs 1.1%), and increases in serum creatinine, uric acid, and hepatic enzyme levels.

Conclusions: In a subgroup of high-risk primary prevention patients, bempedoic acid treatment was associated with reduced major cardiovascular events.

Author/s:

Nissen, S. E., Menon, V., Nicholls, S. J., Brennan, D., Laffin, L., Ridker, P., Ray, K. K., Mason, D., Kastelein, J. J. P., Cho, L., Libby, P., Li, N., Foody, J., Louie, M. J., Lincoff, A. M.

Recommendations on screening for primary prevention of fragility fractures

Aubrey Delammermore — Wed, 10 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

May 10, 2023

Journal/Publication:

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Publisher:

CMA Impact Inc

Publication Date:

May 8, 2023

Issue:

Volume:

195

Pages:

E639-E649

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1503/cmaj.221219

Keywords

PMID (1):

37156553

MeSH

Absorptiometry, Photon

Osteoporotic Fractures* / prevention & control

Bone Density

Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Persons: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions

quality of life

A rational approach to screening to reduce hip fractures in older women from the Canadians. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Background: Fragility fractures are a major health concern for older adults and can result in disability, admission to hospital and long-term care, and reduced quality of life. This Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (task force) guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on screening to prevent fragility fractures in community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years and older who are not currently on preventive pharmacotherapy.

Methods: We commissioned systematic reviews on benefits and harms of screening, predictive accuracy of risk assessment tools, patient acceptability and benefits of treatment. We analyzed treatment harms via a rapid overview of reviews. We further examined patient values and preferences via focus groups and engaged stakeholders at key points throughout the project. We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to determine the certainty of evidence for each outcome and strength of recommendations, and adhered to Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE), Guidelines International Network and Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP-2) reporting guidance.

Recommendations: We recommend "risk assessment-first" screening for prevention of fragility fractures in females aged 65 years and older, with initial application of the Canadian clinical Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) without bone mineral density (BMD). The FRAX result should be used to facilitate shared decision-making about the possible benefits and harms of preventive pharmacotherapy. After this discussion, if preventive pharmacotherapy is being considered, clinicians should request BMD measurement using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the femoral neck, and re-estimate fracture risk by adding the BMD T-score into FRAX (conditional recommendation, low-certainty evidence). We recommend against screening females aged 40-64 years and males aged 40 years and older (strong recommendation, very low-certainty evidence). These recommendations apply to community-dwelling individuals who are not currently on pharmacotherapy to prevent fragility fractures.

Interpretation: Risk assessment-first screening for females aged 65 years and older facilitates shared decision-making and allows patients to consider preventive pharmacotherapy within their individual risk context (before BMD). Recommendations against screening males and younger females emphasize the importance of good clinical practice, where clinicians are alert to changes in health that may indicate the patient has experienced or is at higher risk of fragility fracture.

Author/s:

Thériault, G., Limburg, H., Klarenbach, S., Reynolds, D. L., Riva, J. J., Thombs, B. D., Tessier, L. A., Grad, R., Wilson, B. J., Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Persons: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions

Aubrey Delammermore — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

November 6, 2022

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

November 1, 2022

Issue:

Volume:

328

Pages:

1740-1746

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2022.18625

Keywords

Retrospective Studies

postmenopause

Chronic Disease

hormone therapy

Recommendation Statement

PMID (1):

36318127

MeSH

The USPSTF recommends against using estrogen, progesterone, or combinations of the two in postmenopausal women in an attempt to prevent the development of chronic health problems. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Menopause is defined as the cessation of a person's menstrual cycle. It is defined retrospectively, 12 months after the final menstrual period. Perimenopause, or the menopausal transition, is the few-year time period preceding a person's final menstrual period and is characterized by increasing menstrual cycle length variability and periods of amenorrhea, and often symptoms such as vasomotor dysfunction. The prevalence and incidence of most chronic diseases (eg, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and fracture) increase with age, and US persons who reach menopause are expected on average to live more than another 30 years.

Objective: To update its 2017 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of systemic (ie, oral or transdermal) hormone therapy for the prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons and whether outcomes vary by age or by timing of intervention after menopause.

Population: Asymptomatic postmenopausal persons who are considering hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic medical conditions.

Evidence assessment: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that the use of combined estrogen and progestin for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons with an intact uterus has no net benefit. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that the use of estrogen alone for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons who have had a hysterectomy has no net benefit.

Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends against the use of combined estrogen and progestin for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons. (D recommendation) The USPSTF recommends against the use of estrogen alone for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons who have had a hysterectomy. (D recommendation).

Author/s:

US Preventative Services task Force, Mangione, C. M., Barry, M. J., Nicholson, W. K., Cabana, M., Caughey, A. B., Chelmow, D., Coker, T. R., Davis, E. M., Donahue, K. E., Jaén, C. R., Kubik, M., Li, L., Ogedegbe, G., Pbert, L., Ruiz, J. M., Stevermer, J., Wong, J. B.

Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Saige Blanchard — Tue, 10 May 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

May 10, 2022

Journal/Publication:

Journal of the American Medical Association

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

April 26, 2022

Issue:

Volume:

327

Pages:

1577-1584

URL:

Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2022.4983

Keywords

cardiovascular disease

USPSTF

mortality

PMID (1):

35471505

MeSH

Adult

Cardiovascular Disease

incidence

Ulcer

Association of Statin Use With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in US Veterans 75 Years and Older

Current USPSTF recommendations regarding the use of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of adverse cardiovascular events. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the US, accounting for more than 1 in 4 deaths. Each year, an estimated 605 000 people in the US have a first myocardial infarction and an estimated 610 000 experience a first stroke.

Objective: To update its 2016 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review on the effectiveness of aspirin to reduce the risk of CVD events (myocardial infarction and stroke), cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in persons without a history of CVD. The systematic review also investigated the effect of aspirin use on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in primary CVD prevention populations, as well as the harms (particularly bleeding) associated with aspirin use. The USPSTF also commissioned a microsimulation modeling study to assess the net balance of benefits and harms from aspirin use for primary prevention of CVD and CRC, stratified by age, sex, and CVD risk level.

Population: Adults 40 years or older without signs or symptoms of CVD or known CVD (including history of myocardial infarction or stroke) who are not at increased risk for bleeding (eg, no history of gastrointestinal ulcers, recent bleeding, other medical conditions, or use of medications that increase bleeding risk).

Evidence assessment: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD events in adults aged 40 to 59 years who have a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk has a small net benefit. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that initiating aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD events in adults 60 years or older has no net benefit.

Recommendation: The decision to initiate low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD in adults aged 40 to 59 years who have a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk should be an individual one. Evidence indicates that the net benefit of aspirin use in this group is small. Persons who are not at increased risk for bleeding and are willing to take low-dose aspirin daily are more likely to benefit. (C recommendation) The USPSTF recommends against initiating low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD in adults 60 years or older. (D recommendation).

Author/s:

US Preventive Services Task Force

Association of Statin Use With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in US Veterans 75 Years and Older

Brian Desmarais — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:51:50 +0000

Date Added:

July 13, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Journal of the American Medical Association

Publisher:

JAMA Network

Publication Date:

July 7, 2020

Issue:

Volume:

324

Pages:

68-78

URL:

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2020.7848

MeSH

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Aspirin for Primary Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Prevention as Baseline Risk Increases: A Meta-Regression Analysis

Veterans

Arteriosclerosis

Cardiovascular System

risk

Additional evidence that statins taken for primary prevention helps old people (>75 years of age) live longer. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Data are limited regarding statin therapy for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in adults 75 years and older.

Objective: To evaluate the role of statin use for mortality and primary prevention of ASCVD in veterans 75 years and older.

Design, setting, and participants: Retrospective cohort study that used Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data on adults 75 years and older, free of ASCVD, and with a clinical visit in 2002-2012. Follow-up continued through December 31, 2016. All data were linked to Medicare and Medicaid claims and pharmaceutical data. A new-user design was used, excluding those with any prior statin use. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to evaluate the association of statin use with outcomes. Analyses were conducted using propensity score overlap weighting to balance baseline characteristics.

Exposures: Any new statin prescription.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes included a composite of ASCVD events (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and revascularization with coronary artery bypass graft surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention).

Results: Of 326 981 eligible veterans (mean [SD] age, 81.1 [4.1] years; 97% men; 91% white), 57 178 (17.5%) newly initiated statins during the study period. During a mean follow-up of 6.8 (SD, 3.9) years, a total 206 902 deaths occurred including 53 296 cardiovascular deaths, with 78.7 and 98.2 total deaths/1000 person-years among statin users and nonusers, respectively (weighted incidence rate difference [IRD]/1000 person-years, -19.5 [95% CI, -20.4 to -18.5]). There were 22.6 and 25.7 cardiovascular deaths per 1000 person-years among statin users and nonusers, respectively (weighted IRD/1000 person-years, -3.1 [95 CI, -3.6 to -2.6]). For the composite ASCVD outcome there were 123 379 events, with 66.3 and 70.4 events/1000 person-years among statin users and nonusers, respectively (weighted IRD/1000 person-years, -4.1 [95% CI, -5.1 to -3.0]). After propensity score overlap weighting was applied, the hazard ratio was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.74-0.76) for all-cause mortality, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.78-0.81) for cardiovascular mortality, and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.91-0.94) for a composite of ASCVD events when comparing statin users with nonusers.

Conclusions and relevance: Among US veterans 75 years and older and free of ASCVD at baseline, new statin use was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Further research, including from randomized clinical trials, is needed to more definitively determine the role of statin therapy in older adults for primary prevention of ASCVD.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Djousse reported receiving grants from Merck. No other disclosures were reported.

Author/s:

Orkaby, A.R., Driver, J.A., Ho, Y., et al.

Aspirin for Primary Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Prevention as Baseline Risk Increases: A Meta-Regression Analysis

John Bayhi — Thu, 21 May 2020 16:39:36 +0000

Date Added:

May 21, 2020

Journal/Publication:

The American Journal of Medicine

Publisher:

Elsevier Inc

Publication Date:

May 20, 2020

Volume:

Article in Press

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.04.028

Keywords

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

myocardial infarction

MeSH

Sex Difference in Effects of Low-Dose Aspirin on Prevention of Dementia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Long-term Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Brain Ischemia

follow-up studies

myocardial infarction

This analysis of 12 RCTs involving almost 1 million patients found that low-dose aspirin prevents major cardiovascular events (RRReduction 14%; ARR/1000 patient years 0.06%) but increases major bleeding events (RRIncrease 40%; ARR/1000 patient years 0.1%) across all levels of baseline risk. The researchers concluded that the absolute risk reduction and the risk: benefit ratio suggest that we should probably not prescribe low-dose aspirin for primary prevention even if the baseline risk of CV events is high and the risk of bleeding is low. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Background

Aspirin is often prescribed for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) however, recent randomized trials (RCTs) have challenged this practice. Despite this, aspirin is commonly recommended for high risk primary prevention. We tested the hypothesis that aspirin is more efficacious for the primary prevention of ASCVD, as the baseline risk increases.

Methods

RCTs that compared aspirin to control for primary prevention and evaluated ASCVD (composite of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke) and major bleeding were included. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A regression analysis was performed using the ASCVD event rate in the control arm of each RCT as the moderator.

Results

Twelve RCTs were identified with 963,829 patient years of follow-up. Aspirin was associated with a reduction in ASCVD (4.7 versus 5.3 events per 1,000 patient years; RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.79-0.92). There was increased major bleeding among aspirin users (2.5 versus 1.8 events per 1000 patient years, RR 1.41 95% CI, 1.29-1.54). Regression analysis found no relationship between the log rate ratio of ASCVD or major bleeding and incidence of ASCVD in the control arm of each RCT.

Conclusion

Aspirin is associated with a reduction in ASCVD when used for primary prevention; however, it is unlikely to be clinically significant given the increase in bleeding. More importantly, aspirin's treatment effect does not increase as ASCVD risk increases as many hypothesize. There is no suggestion from this data that use of aspirin for higher risk primary prevention patients is beneficial.

Author/s:

Nudy, M, Cooper, J, Ghahramani, M, Ruzieh, M, Mandrola, J, Foy, AJ

Sex Difference in Effects of Low-Dose Aspirin on Prevention of Dementia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Long-term Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Brian Desmarais — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 19:29:10 +0000

Date Added:

December 9, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Diabetes Care

Publication Date:

December 4, 2019

URL:

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.2337/dc19-1188

Keywords

low-dose aspirin

MeSH

diabetes mellitus, type 2

And yet more information about the potential value (reduced risk of dementia) of low-dose aspirin, this time in women with Type 2 diabetes.

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OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of long-term use of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of dementia in men and women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:

This study is a follow-up cohort study of the Japanese Primary Prevention of Atherosclerosis with Aspirin for Diabetes (JPAD) trial, which was a randomized, open-label, standard care-controlled trial examining the effects of low-dose aspirin on cardiovascular events. We followed up 2,536 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the JPAD trial from 2002 to 2017. The primary outcome of this post hoc analysis was the incidence of dementia, which was defined by the prescription of antidementia drugs or admission due to dementia.

RESULTS:

Among the originally enrolled patients, 2,121 (84%) retained their original allocation. During a median follow-up of 11.4 years, 128 patients developed dementia. The overall effect of low-dose aspirin on the prevention of dementia adjusted for age, sex, and other established risk factors was not significant (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.58-1.16). However, a significant reduction was seen in the risk of dementia in women (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36-0.95), but not in men (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.75-2.13) (P interaction = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Long-term use of low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk for dementia in women with T2D.

Author/s:

Matsumoto, C., Ogawa, H., Saito, Y., Okada S., Soejima, H., Sakuma, M., Masuda, I., Nakayama, M., Doi, N., Jinnouchi, H., Waki, M., Morimoto, T., JPAD Trial Investigators

2018 Cholesterol Clinical Practice Guidelines: Synopsis of the 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Multisociety Cholesterol Guideline

Tracy Ashby — Wed, 29 May 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

May 29, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Annals of Internal Medicine

Publisher:

The American College of Physicians

Publication Date:

May 28, 2019

URL:

2018 Cholesterol Clinical Practice Guidelines: Synopsis of the 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Multisociety Cholesterol Guideline.

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.7326/M19-0365

Keywords

cholesterol

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

cardiovascular disease

statin therapy

risk factors

PMID (1):

31132793

MeSH

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Weighing Up the Evidence

This is the 2018 version of the AHA/ACC Guideline on cholesterol management. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Description:

In November 2018, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) released a new clinical practice guideline on cholesterol management. It was accompanied by a risk assessment report on primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Methods:

A panel of experts free of recent and relevant industry-related conflicts was chosen to carry out systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined cardiovascular outcomes. High-quality observational studies were used for estimation of ASCVD risk. An independent panel systematically reviewed RCT evidence about the benefits and risks of adding nonstatin medications to statin therapy compared with receiving statin therapy alone in persons who have or are at high risk for ASCVD.

Recommendation:

The guideline endorses a heart-healthy lifestyle beginning in childhood to reduce lifetime risk for ASCVD. It contains several new features compared with the 2013 guideline. For secondary prevention, patients at very high risk may be candidates for adding nonstatin medications (ezetimibe or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9] inhibitors) to statin therapy. In primary prevention, a clinician–patient risk discussion is still strongly recommended before a decision is made about statin treatment. The AHA/ACC risk calculator first triages patients into 4 risk categories. Those at intermediate risk deserve a focused clinician–patient discussion before initiation of statin therapy. Among intermediate-risk patients, identification of risk-enhancing factors and coronary artery calcium testing can assist in the decision to use a statin. Compared with the 2013 guideline, the new guideline gives more attention to percentage reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a treatment goal and to long-term monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. To simplify monitoring, nonfasting lipid measurements are allowed.

Author/s:

Grundy, Scott M, Stone, Neil J., Guideline Writing Committee for the 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Weighing Up the Evidence

Jeffrey Wilson — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:43:45 +0000

Date Added:

March 18, 2019

Journal/Publication:

The American Journal of Medicine

Publisher:

Elsevier

Publication Date:

March 12, 2019

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.02.025

Keywords

cardiovascular events

PMID (1):

30871925

MeSH

Association of Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention With Cardiovascular Events and Bleeding Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A nice review of the effectiveness of aspirin for primary prevention of CV events with a particular focus on the question of weight-based dosing. Bottom line is that primary prevention of CV events with aspirin, regardless of dose, is rarely justifiable.

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Aspirin is one of the most universally recognized and commonly prescribed medications worldwide. It is estimated that 48.7 million U.S. adults are taking aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention; the majority (~73%) for primary prevention. The benefit of aspirin for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is well-established, with meta-analysis results favoring low dose (75–150 mg/day) over high dose (>150 mg/day) aspirin given similar efficacy but lower bleeding risk. In contrast, the role of aspirin in primary cardiovascular disease prevention is more controversial; historical trials found benefit but trials since 2008 have shown either null effects on all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality or a signal for increased mortality in the context of excess bleeding.

Author/s:

Murphy, Sean, McCarthy, Cian P., McEvoy, John W.

Association of Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention With Cardiovascular Events and Bleeding Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Tracy Ashby — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

February 11, 2019

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

January 22, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

321

Pages:

277-287

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2018.20578 Free full text

Keywords

bleeding events

cardiovascular events

PMID (1):

30667501

MeSH

hemorrhage

Consistent with the findings of the USPSTF, in adults with no history of cardiovascular disease, aspirin reduces the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events and increases the rate of major bleeding episodes. It has little or no effect on mortality.

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IMPORTANCE:

The role for aspirin in cardiovascular primary prevention remains controversial, with potential benefits limited by an increased bleeding risk.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the association of aspirin use for primary prevention with cardiovascular events and bleeding.

DATA SOURCES:

PubMed and Embase were searched on Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials from the earliest available date through November 1, 2018.

STUDY SELECTION:

Randomized clinical trials enrolling at least 1000 participants with no known cardiovascular disease and a follow-up of at least 12 months were included. Included studies compared aspirin use with no aspirin (placebo or no treatment).

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:

Data were screened and extracted independently by both investigators. Bayesian and frequentist meta-analyses were performed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. The primary bleeding outcome was any major bleeding (defined by the individual studies).

RESULTS:

A total of 13 trials randomizing 164 225 participants with 1 050 511 participant-years of follow-up were included. The median age of trial participants was 62 years (range, 53-74), 77 501 (47%) were men, 30 361 (19%) had diabetes, and the median baseline risk of the primary cardiovascular outcome was 9.2% (range, 2.6%-15.9%). Aspirin use was associated with significant reductions in the composite cardiovascular outcome compared with no aspirin (57.1 per 10 000 participant-years with aspirin and 61.4 per 10 000 participant-years with no aspirin) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 [95% credible interval, 0.84-0.95]; absolute risk reduction, 0.38% [95% CI, 0.20%-0.55%]; number needed to treat, 265). Aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding events compared with no aspirin (23.1 per 10 000 participant-years with aspirin and 16.4 per 10 000 participant-years with no aspirin) (HR, 1.43 [95% credible interval, 1.30-1.56]; absolute risk increase, 0.47% [95% CI, 0.34%-0.62%]; number needed to harm, 210).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

The use of aspirin in individuals without cardiovascular disease was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and an increased risk of major bleeding. This information may inform discussions with patients about aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events and bleeding.

Author/s:

Zheng, Sean L., Roddick, Alistair J.

Aspirin Use in Primary Care

Tracy Ashby — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

January 25, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Healthy Hearts for Oklahoma (H2O)

Publisher:

The Oklahoma Cooperative

Publication Date:

January 25, 2019

Type:

Clinical Decision Aids

Format:

Article

Keywords

cardiovascular events

MeSH

disease, cardiovascular

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

This is the material used in the Healthy Hearts for OK project to update clinicians on the role of low-dose aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular events.

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An update for clinicians on the role of low-dose aspirin for prevention of cardiiovascular events from the Healthy Hearts for OK project.

Author/s:

Mold, James W.

Cholesterol Management in Primary Care

Jeffrey Wilson — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 15:42:28 +0000

Date Added:

September 5, 2018

Journal/Publication:

Healthy Hearts for Oklahoma

Publisher:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Type:

Clinical Decision Aids

Format:

Slides

Keywords

MeSH

cholesterol

This is the decision aid for statin use developed for the Healthy Hearts for OK Project.

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Patients with existing disease or major risk factors should be prescribed statins unless contraindicated.

Aspirin Use in Primary Care

Jeffrey Wilson — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 15:37:53 +0000

Date Added:

September 5, 2018

Journal/Publication:

Healthy Hearts for Oklahoma

Publisher:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Type:

Clinical Decision Aids

Keywords

cardiovascular disease

MeSH

disease, cardiovascular