Date of Award

Spring 2021

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Amanda Seymour, MS, PA-C

Abstract

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that causes patients to have significantly increased levels of LDL cholesterol, which often leads to coronary artery disease. Statin medications are typically prescribed to treat this condition, however these medications have adverse side effects and often subpar efficacy in this patient population. Evidence collected in this literature review yielded evidence that the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in the treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia may be efficacious. Many of these studies were able to show statistically significant improvement of LDL-C and decrease in cardiovascular risk when compared to placebo. In addition, this medication was found to be tolerated well without adverse side effects, most notably in patients with a statin intolerance. Although more research is needed, PCSK9 inhibitors seem to be efficacious compared to standard of care in improving LDL-C and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Additional Files

pcsk9i recording.mp4 (14698 kB)

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Efficacy of PCSK9 Inhibitors Compared to Standard of Care in Improving the Low-density-lipoprotein Cholesterol and Lowering the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that causes patients to have significantly increased levels of LDL cholesterol, which often leads to coronary artery disease. Statin medications are typically prescribed to treat this condition, however these medications have adverse side effects and often subpar efficacy in this patient population. Evidence collected in this literature review yielded evidence that the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in the treatment of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia may be efficacious. Many of these studies were able to show statistically significant improvement of LDL-C and decrease in cardiovascular risk when compared to placebo. In addition, this medication was found to be tolerated well without adverse side effects, most notably in patients with a statin intolerance. Although more research is needed, PCSK9 inhibitors seem to be efficacious compared to standard of care in improving LDL-C and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.