Terry Jacobson

• Emory University

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 specifi...

Purpose of Review Statins are first-line pharmacotherapy for the treatment of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and are generally well-tolerated. However, some patients may experience statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). This paper reviews recommendations for identification and management of patients with SAMS. Recent Findings The...

BACKGROUND: REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial) was a multinational, double-blind trial that randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and cardiovascular (CV) risk, to icosapent ethyl (IPE) 4 g daily or placebo. Randomizati...

Background This joint expert review by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and National Lipid Association (NLA) provides clinicians an overview of the pathophysiologic and clinical considerations regarding obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods This joint expert review is based upon scientific evidence, clinical p...

Background In 3146 REDUCE‐IT USA (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl Intervention Trial USA) participants, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced first and total cardiovascular events by 31% and 36%, respectively, over 4.9 years of follow‐up. Methods and Results We used participant‐level data from REDUCE‐IT USA, 2021 US costs, and IPE...

Introduction Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, irrespective of statin therapy. In the overall REDUCE-IT study of statin-treated patients, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced the risk of the primary composite endpoint (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularizatio...

Background In REDUCE-IT, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE) relative to placebo (PBO) in 8179 statin-treated patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia and high CV risk. Questions have been raised about the mechanisms of benefit of IPE and the potential effects of the pharmaceutical grade mineral oil PBO...

Introduction: The Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with persistently high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events despite statin treatment. Methods: REDUCE-IT was a multinational, double-blind trial that randomized 8179 high CV risk statin-treated patients with controlled low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides, to icosa...

Background In REDUCE‐IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial), icosapent ethyl (IPE) versus placebo) reduced cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization, but was associated with increased atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF) h...

Despite the established role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the persistence of CVD as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, national quality assurance metrics no longer include LDL-C measurement as a required performance metric. This clinical p...

Despite the established role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the persistence of CVD as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, national quality assurance metrics no longer include LDL-C measurement as a required performance metric. This clinical p...

Background The pneumococcal vaccine is widely underused. Patient education is one mechanism not widely explored for increasing vaccination rates. Objective To evaluate the effects of a culturally appropriate patient education videotape on pneumococcal vaccination rates among the clinic population of an inner-city public hospital. Methods Randomiz...

Background/Introduction Cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events with effective treatment currently limited to smoking cessation. REDUCE-IT, a multinational, double-blind trial, randomised 8179 statin-treated patients with controlled low density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and CV risk, t...

Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are the most common form of statin intolerance and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events that manifest from statin underutilization and discontinuation. The reported frequencies of SAMS are divergent in the literature. The writing group estimates the prevalence of SAMS, namely all muscl...

Aims Cigarette smoking is among the most well-established risk factors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We sought to determine whether icosapent ethyl (IPE), a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid with anti-atherothrombotic properties, may reduce the excessive risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributable to smoking. Methods and R...

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a well-recognized, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with elevated levels estimated to be prevalent in 20% of the population. Observational and genetic evidence strongly support a causal relationship between high plasma concentrations of Lp(a) and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiova...

Although statins are generally well tolerated, statin intolerance is reported in 5-30% of patients and contributes to reduced statin adherence and persistence, as well as higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This Scientific Statement from the National Lipid Association was developed to provide an updated definition of statin intolerance...

Background: REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial) reported a 25% relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events with use of icosapent ethyl compared with pharmaceutical grade mineral oil. The mechanisms underlying this benefit remain uncertain. We explored whether treatment allocatio...

Background REDUCE-IT was a double-blind trial that randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and moderately elevated triglycerides to icosapent ethyl (IPE) or placebo. There was a significant reduction in the primary endpoint, including death from cardiovascular (CV) causes. The specific impact of...

Background Patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events despite aggressive medical therapy. Methods and Results This post hoc analysis focused on the subset of patients with prior PCI enrolled in REDUCE‐IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl–Interventio...

Importance: The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) demonstrated the efficacy of icosapent ethyl (IPE) for high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia and known cardiovascular disease or diabetes and at least 1 other risk factor who were treated with statins. Objective: To estimate the cost-eff...

Background Patients with heart failure (HF) are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Studies of atherothrombotic treatments in this population have been disappointing to date. Icosapent ethyl reduced the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among a broad array of statin‐treated patients at elevated risk for atheroscler...

Introduction: REDUCE-IT found significant benefit in 8179 statin-treated patients randomized to icosapent ethyl (IPE). Whether that benefit extends to patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) was unknown. Methods: The primary endpoint was time to cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization, or hosp...

Background: Chronic kidney disease is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes. Commonly used medications to treat CVD are less effective among patients with reduced kidney function. Methods: The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) wa...

Background: Despite advances in surgery and pharmacotherapy, there remains significant residual ischemic risk following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: In the multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial REDUCE-IT, statin-treated patients with controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and mild to moderat...

Background/Introduction REDUCE-IT, a multinational, double-blind trial, randomized 8179 statin-treated patients with controlled low density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and cardiovascular (CV) risk, to icosapent ethyl (IPE) 4 grams/day or placebo. IPE reduced the primary (CV death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, coronary re...

Background REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial) randomized statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides to icosapent ethyl (IPE) or placebo. There was a significant reduction in adjudicated events, including the primary endpoint (cardiovascular [CV] death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke,...

BACKGROUND REDUCE-IT, a multinational, double-blind trial, randomized 8179 statin-treated patients with controlled low density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and cardiovascular (CV) risk, to icosapent ethyl (IPE) 4 grams daily or placebo. IPE reduced the primary (CV death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, coronary revasculariza...

Lipoprotein measurements are pivotal in the management of patients at risk for atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) with myocardial infarction and coronary death as the main outcomes, and for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which includes CHD and stroke. Recent developments and changes in guidelines affect optimization of us...

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and with end-stage renal disease. CKD has a strong association with dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemias can affect kidney function and increase the risk for CVD development, so it is an important risk factor. Statin therapy can de...

Background: In patients at elevated cardiovascular risk, statins reduce the occurrence of ischemic stroke. However, residual stroke risk persists. Methods: REDUCE-IT, a multinational, double-blind trial, randomized 8179 statin-treated patients with controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and risk for, or evidence of,...

An Expert Panel of the National Lipid Association reviewed the evidence related to the use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in clinical practice for adults seen for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recommendations for optimal use of this test in adults of various races/ethnicities, ages and multiple domains of p...

Introduction: REDUCE-IT was an event-driven trial that randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with controlled LDL-C and moderately elevated triglycerides to icosapent ethyl (IPE) 4g daily or placebo, with a median of 4.9 years of follow-up. There was a significant reduction in the prespecified adjudicated rates of the primary endpoint (cardiovasc...

Background: Patients with a prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at high risk for future ischemic events despite statin therapy. Methods: REDUCE-IT, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, randomized statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (135-499 mg/dL), controlled LDL (41-100 mg/dL), and either e...

Background: The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) showed that patients with elevated baseline triglycerides (TG) and well-controlled LDL-C levels on statins had a 30% lower risk of total cardiovascular events with 4g of icosapent ethyl (IPE) daily compared to standard care (SC) during a median 4....

Background: Patients with elevated triglycerides despite statin therapy have increased risk for ischemic events, including coronary revascularizations. Methods: REDUCE-IT, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, randomized statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (135-499 mg/dL), controlled LDL (41-100 mg/dL), and either e...

Background REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial), a study of 8,179 randomized statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (TG) and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk followed for a median of 4.9 years, demonstrated robust results. Icosapent ethyl (IPE), a pure and stable prescription form of...

Background REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial), an event-driven trial, randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (TGs) and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk to icosapent ethyl (IPE); pure, stable prescription eicosapentaenoic acid, 4g/day or placebo. 1,612 primary endpoi...

Background REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial) randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk to either icosapent ethyl (IPE), a pure, stable prescription form of eicosapentaenoic acid, 4g/day or placebo. IPE significantly reduced time to...

Background: Statin-treated patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high cardiovascular (CV) risk. Methods: In REDUCE-IT, icosapent ethyl (IPE; 4 g/day) reduced CV risk vs. placebo in statin-treated patients with either DM plus risk factors or established CV disease. The primary endpoint was CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary...

The genetic basis for more than two dozen monogenic dyslipidemias has largely been defined. Genetic technologies, such as DNA sequencing, can detect both rare and common DNA variants underlying dyslipidemias and these methods are increasingly available. Although patients with extreme abnormalities in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), tri...

Background: The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl (IE)–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) showed that patients with elevated baseline triglyceride and well controlled LDL-C levels on statins had a 30% lower risk of first and recurrent ischemic events, including cardiovascular death, in those who received 2 g of IE twice daily comp...

Background The 24-week randomized, double-blind ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE trial (NCT01709513) demonstrated significant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reductions with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab vs ezetimibe in statin-intolerant patients, with significantly fewer skeletal muscle events (SMEs; 32.5%) vs atorvastatin (46.0%; hazard ratio: 0....

The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) in 2018 demonstrated the value of an omega-3 fatty acid formulation, icosapent ethyl (eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester) for preventive treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This JCL Roundtable discussion brings together three experts t...

Background: Some trials have found that patients from the United States derive less benefit than patients enrolled outside the United States. This prespecified REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl - Intervention Trial) subgroup analysis was conducted to determine the degree of benefit of icosapent ethyl in the United...

Representatives from the National Lipid Association (NLA) participated in the development of the 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Multisociety Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol, which reaffirmed that lifestyle changes and statin treatment are therapeutic cornerstones for atherosclerotic cardiovascular di...

Hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides 200-499 mg/dL) is relatively common in the United States, whereas more severe triglyceride elevations (very high triglycerides, ≥500 mg/dL) are far less frequently observed. Both are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States and elsewhere, likely driven in large part by growing rates of obesity and dia...

Background Differences in lipid and cardiovascular risk profiles have been observed in African-American/black (AA/B), white (W), and Hispanic/Latino (H/L) individuals. Efficacy and safety of alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, may vary by race and ethnicity and has not been analyzed. Objective This post hoc analy...

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a well-recognized, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with elevated levels estimated to be prevalent in 20% of the population. Observational and genetic evidence strongly support a causal relationship between high plasma concentrations of Lp(a) and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiova...

Background: It is important to understand patients' experiences of statin-associated adverse effects to potentially identify those at risk for stopping treatment. Objective: The goal of the STatin Adverse Treatment Experience survey was to describe patients' experiences after reporting ≥1 recent statin-associated adverse event and identify oppor...

Background: In time-to-first-event analyses, icosapent ethyl significantly reduced the risk of ischemic events, including cardiovascular death, among patients with elevated triglycerides receiving statins. These patients are at risk for not only first but also subsequent ischemic events. Objectives: Pre-specified analyses determined the extent t...

One in 4 Americans >40 years of age takes a statin to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and other complications of atherosclerotic disease. The most effective statins produce a mean reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 55% to 60% at the maximum dosage, and 6 of the 7 marketed statins are available in generic...

Background Patients with elevated triglyceride levels are at increased risk for ischemic events. Icosapent ethyl, a highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, lowers triglyceride levels, but data are needed to determine its effects on ischemic events. Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in...

The 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines on blood cholesterol management were a major shift in the delineation of the main patient groups that could benefit from statin therapy and emphasized the use of higher-intensity statin therapies. In 2016, an expert consensus panel from the ACC recommended the use of nonstatin therapies (ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors) i...

Aims: To objectively appraise evidence for possible adverse effects of long-term statin therapy on glucose homeostasis, cognitive, renal and hepatic function, and risk for haemorrhagic stroke or cataract. Methods and results: A literature search covering 2000-2017 was performed. The Panel critically appraised the data and agreed by consensus on...

Background Statin-associated muscle symptoms are reported by 10% to 29% of patients in clinical practice and are a major determinant of statin nonadherence, discontinuation, and switching. Little is known about what advice patients receive from their providers when dealing with these symptoms. Objective The objective of the study was to assess pat...

An Expert Panel convened by the National Lipid Association was charged with updating the recommendations on the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibody therapy that were provided by the 2015 National Lipid Association Recommendations for the Patient-Centered Management of Dyslipidemia: Part 2. Recent studies have demon...

Purpose of review: The 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol guidelines was a major paradigm shift in the management and treatment of dyslipidemia. The new guidelines outlined "statin benefit groups," highlighted weighing the benefit versus risks of statin therapy ("net benefit"), and discussed the importance of shared decision making between patients and prov...

Background: Statin therapy is recommended for reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Significant risk can remain because of insufficient clinical response or statin intolerance. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) therapy lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and has recently been shown to lower ASCVD...

Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed the effects of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly called fish oils) on the occurrence of clinical cardiovascular diseases. Although the effects of supplementation for the primary prevention of clinical cardiova...

2004 NHLBI Workshop/Working Group on the Future Clinical Research Directions On Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease

Purpose: The Statin-Associated Muscle Symptom Clinical Index (SAMS-CI) is a method for assessing the likelihood that a patient's muscle symptoms (e.g., myalgia or myopathy) were caused or worsened by statin use. The objectives of this study were to prepare the SAMS-CI for clinical use, estimate its inter-rater reliability, and collect feedback fro...

Residual cardiovascular risk persists despite statins, yet outcome studies of lipid-targeted therapies beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have not demonstrated added benefit. Triglyceride elevation is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. High-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces triglyceride-rich lipoproteins wi...

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