Bempedoic acid reduces cardiovascular risk factors, research indicates

People intolerant to statins who are being treated with bempedoic acid are less at risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event, latest evidence claims. 

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found an association between bempedoic acid and a lower risk of nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularisation, nonfatal myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes.

Bempedoic acid is an ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and is associated with a low incidence of muscle-related adverse events.

The research team conducted a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving 13,970 people who were unable or unwilling to take statins and had, or were at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Participants involved in the study were assigned to receiver either oral bempedoic acid, 180 mg daily or placebo.

The mean LDL cholesterol level at baseline was 139.0 mg per decilitre in both groups, and after six months, the reduction in the level was greater with bempedoic acid than with placebo by 29.2 mg per decilitre, the study has reported.

According to the findings, the incidence of a primary end-point event was significantly lower with bempedoic acid than with placebo, as were the incidences of a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction and coronary revascularisation.

To read the study in full, click here.