About this Research Topic
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction is important in patients at high risk for a first event (primary prevention) and those with established ASCVD (secondary prevention). For decades, statin therapy has been the main therapeutic agent to reduce the risk of CV events. However, even in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels well below guideline-recommended targets, a substantial risk for CV events remains. Therefore, methods are needed to address persistent CV risk in patients taking statins, particularly with additional agents that target pathways beyond LDL-C.
This research topic aims to provide a forum for current advances in reducing persistent CV risk in patients taking statins and with persistently elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, with a special focus on use of icosapent ethyl (IPE) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids and fibrates have been studied for reducing residual CV risk. In this context, fibrates and mixed omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA and docosahexaenoic acid have not resulted in CV benefit on top of statin therapy. However, EPA-only formulations have consistently reduced CV risk in patients taking statins who have established CV disease or in those with diabetes and other risk factors for a first CV event.
Currently, IPE/EPA is the only available CV prevention agent that reduces ASCVD risk by targeting pathways beyond LDL-C reduction in patients treated with statins who have persistently elevated TG levels. We encourage authors to submit original research, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
- Pharmacologic approaches (including but not limited to IPE/EPA) to reduce CV risk in patients taking statins with persistently elevated TG levels
- Clinical management strategies for patients taking statins for reducing CV risk in primary and secondary prevention settings
- Eligibility studies for statin add-on agents in patients with persistently elevated TG levels
- Cost-effectiveness studies of statin add-on agents in patients with persistently elevated TG levels
This research topic aims to provide a forum for current advances in reducing persistent CV risk in patients taking statins and with persistently elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, with a special focus on use of icosapent ethyl (IPE) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids and fibrates have been studied for reducing residual CV risk. In this context, fibrates and mixed omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA and docosahexaenoic acid have not resulted in CV benefit on top of statin therapy. However, EPA-only formulations have consistently reduced CV risk in patients taking statins who have established CV disease or in those with diabetes and other risk factors for a first CV event.
Currently, IPE/EPA is the only available CV prevention agent that reduces ASCVD risk by targeting pathways beyond LDL-C reduction in patients treated with statins who have persistently elevated TG levels. We encourage authors to submit original research, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews, including but not limited to the following subtopics:
- Pharmacologic approaches (including but not limited to IPE/EPA) to reduce CV risk in patients taking statins with persistently elevated TG levels
- Clinical management strategies for patients taking statins for reducing CV risk in primary and secondary prevention settings
- Eligibility studies for statin add-on agents in patients with persistently elevated TG levels
- Cost-effectiveness studies of statin add-on agents in patients with persistently elevated TG levels
Keywords: statin, cardiovascular disease, icosapent ethyl, omega-3 fatty acids, secondary prevention, primary prevention
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