Case report: Intensive statin and PCSK-9 inhibitor combo reduces plaque volume and stenosis in ischemic stroke
Weiqi Zeng1, Yunfei Shi2, Meng Fan3
1Department of Neurology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, China.
Insights
Intracranial atherosclerotic ischemic stroke can be alleviated by combining PCSK9 inhibitors with statin therapy. This combination may reverse plaque buildup in intracranial arteries, improving outcomes for elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intracranial atherosclerotic ischemic stroke significantly affects elderly quality of life.
- Statins are effective for plaque stabilization in this condition, potentially due to lipid level effects.
- Anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are novel lipid-lowering drugs for high cardiovascular risk patients.
Abstract:
Intracranial atherosclerotic ischemic stroke dramatically impacts the quality of life among the elderly. Statins therapy has been proven to be effective in plaque stabilization and alleviation in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. According to recent studies, these effects may be directly related to lipid levels rather than specific lipid-lowering drugs. Anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies (PCSK-9 inhibitor) are newer effective lipid-lowering drugs increasingly prescribed to patients at high cardiovascular risk to lower LDL cholesterol. Studies have provided evidence that PCSK9 inhibitor combined with statin therapy can lead to a decrease in the plaque volume measured by intravascular ultrasound in coronary heart disease patients. But the efficacy of combination of the two drugs in symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis has been unknown. Here we provide a case which was reported to suggest that a combination of Evolocumab and intensive statin therapy might reverse or alleviate symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis.
Related Concept Videos
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures


