Greater than expected reduction in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) with bempedoic acid in a patient with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

Agha AM, Jones PH, Ballantyne CM, Virani SS, Nambi V. Greater than expected reduction in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) with bempedoic acid in a patient with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). Journal of clinical lipidology. 2021 Sep 1; 15(5):649-652.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• IIR 16-072 – Determining and targeting reasons for low statin use to improve guideline-concordant statin therapy in high-risk patients

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Abstract:

Bempedoic acid is an adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor that reduces levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in the plasma by inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in hepatic cells, which leads to up-regulation of hepatic LDL receptors. Bempedoic acid is approved as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy for the treatment of adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) who require additional lowering of LDL-C. In this case study, we describe a patient with HeFH who had a prior excellent response to statin but unable to take the same, and a less than expected response to PCSK9i, in whom initiation of bempedoic acid led to a substantial reduction of LDL-C. Our findings suggest that patients who are quite responsive to statins may also be quite responsive to bempedoic acid, a medication that works in the same biochemical pathway as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Additionally, this medication may be particularly effective at lowering LDL-C among individuals not on background statin therapy.