Heart HealthEvolocumab Cuts Heart Attack Risk 50% in PCI Patients Without Prior MI
The VESALIUS-CV trial reveals that evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, substantially reduces cardiovascular risk in patients who have had coronary stenting (PCI) but no prior heart attack. Among over 3,600 such patients followed for nearly five years, those on evolocumab saw LDL cholesterol drop to around 41 mg/dL versus 107 mg/dL on placebo. This translated into a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events, a 50% reduction in heart attacks, and a 39% reduction in urgent revascularization procedures. Remarkably, benefits appeared within just six months. The findings challenge the conventional threshold for aggressive LDL lowering, suggesting that PCI history alone — without a prior MI — may justify intensive lipid therapy.
