Optimal Medical Therapy Targeting Lipids and Inflammation for Secondary Prevention in Patients Undergoing...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), primarily coronary artery disease (CAD), are leading global causes of mortality and morbidity.
• Atherosclerosis, the underlying pathology of CAD, involves chronic plaque development, leading to chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
• Patients with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain at elevated risk for subsequent cardiovascular events despite current standard treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on secondary prevention strategies for patients undergoing PCI.
• To highlight the role of optimal medical therapy (OMT) in managing residual risk.
• To focus on therapeutic targets including atherogenic lipids and vascular inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent evidence on secondary prevention in patients post-PCI.
• Analysis of guideline-directed therapies and their limitations.
• Examination of emerging therapeutic approaches targeting lipids and inflammation.

Main Results:

• Despite guideline-directed therapy, residual risk persists in patients post-PCI.
• Atherogenic lipids and vascular inflammation are identified as key drivers of this residual risk.
• Optimal medical therapy (OMT) focusing on these factors shows promise for risk mitigation.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant unmet need for advanced therapeutic strategies in high-risk patients post-PCI.
• Targeting lipids and inflammation represents a critical avenue for secondary prevention.
• Comprehensive residual risk management is essential to reduce ischemic events in this population.