Poststatin era in atherosclerosis management: lessons from epidemiologic and genetic studies

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide with over 17 million deaths every year and represent a major public health challenge. The last decade has seen the emergence of novel antiatherogenic therapies.

Despite intensive lipid and blood pressure interventions, the burden of CVD is expected to markedly progress because of the global aging of the population and increasing exposure to detrimental lifestyle-related risk. Epidemiologic and genetic studies helped to better apprehend the biology of atherosclerosis and allowed pharmaceutical innovation and recent translational successes. This includes the development of novel lipid and glucose-lowering therapies and the leverage of anti-inflammatory therapies.

Here, we discuss promises and expectations of emerging scientific and pharmaceutical innovations and translational successes to meet the global therapeutic demand.