VLDL cholesterol and ASCVD risk: A population-based study

Observational and genetic evidence show associations of high remnant cholesterol levels with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). New drugs have been developed that substantially lower remnant cholesterol; however, the corresponding absolute risk reduction of ASCVD remains unclear. Remnant cholesterol can be measured directly or calculated, but few studies have analyzed the effects of directly measured remnant cholesterol.

To estimate the 10-year absolute risk reductions of ASCVD according to proportional reduction of individual very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels among individuals with levels above 1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL).

We used VLDL cholesterol measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify directly measured remnant cholesterol. We estimated the reduction in the average 10-year ASCVD risk associated with an intervention targeting the 2021 individuals in the Copenhagen General Population Study with VLDL cholesterol levels above 1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL), assuming a proportional reduction in their individual VLDL cholesterol levels.

We found that a 50% or 80% proportional reduction in VLDL cholesterol was associated with a 10-year absolute risk reduction of ASCVD of 3.0% (95% CI: 2.6%-3.4%) and 4.5% (3.9%-5.1%), respectively.

This suggests a clinically meaningful benefit from lowering of VLDL cholesterol in primary prevention.