Recent Updates on the Use of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is caused by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Although statins significantly reduce ASCVD risk, there remains a high degree of residual risk in statin-treated patients. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition has emerged as a significant therapeutic target for further lowering of LDL-C when used in combination with statins. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on recent evidence supporting the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with ASCVD. RECENT FINDINGS: Alirocumab and evolocumab were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2015. Multiple phase II and III studies have demonstrated that these agents reduce LDL-C levels by up to 60% and are relatively safe, with the exception of injection site reactions. Additionally, two randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that both alirocumab and evolocumab reduce ASCVD events when used in combination with statin therapy compared to statin alone. In light of this evidence, the 2018 Cholesterol Guideline incorporated PCSK9 inhibitors into the treatment algorithm for select secondary prevention patients unable to achieve an LDL-C below 70 mg/dL despite maximally tolerated statin plus ezetimibe. Although PCSK9 inhibitors provide substantial reductions in LDL-C levels and reduce ASCVD events in secondary prevention populations, the cost-effectiveness of alirocumab and evolocumab limit widespread use. Additional research is needed to explore the role of PCSK9 inhibitors in other populations, including primary prevention, patients unable to tolerate statins, and acute myocardial infarction.

The continuing cost of privatization: extra payments to Medicare Advantage plans jump to $11.4 billion in 2009.

The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 explicitly increased Medicare payments to private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. As a result, MA plans have, for the past six years, been paid more for their enrollees than they would be expected to cost in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Payments to MA plans in 2009 are projected to be 13 percent greater than the corresponding costs in traditional Medicare--an average of $1,138 per MA plan enrollee, for a total of $11.4 billion. Although the extra payments are used to provide enrollees additional benefits, those benefits are not available to all beneficiaries-- but they are financed by general program funds. If payments to MA plans were instead equal to the spending level under traditional Medicare, the more than $150 billion in savings over 10 years could be used to finance improved benefits for the low-income elderly and disabled, or for expanding health-insurance coverage.

Paying Medicare Advantage plans by competitive bidding: how much competition is there?

Private health plans that enroll Medicare beneficiaries--known as Medicare Advantage (MA) plans--are being paid $11 billion more in 2009 than it would cost to cover these beneficiaries in regular fee-for-service Medicare. To generate Medicare savings for offsetting the costs of health reform, the Obama Administration has proposed eliminating these extra payments to private insurers and instituting a competitive bidding system that pays MA plans based on the bids they submit. This study examines the concentration of enrollment among MA plans and the degree to which firms offering MA plans actually face competition. The results show that in the large majority of U.S. counties, MA plan enrollment is highly concentrated in a small number of firms. Given the relative lack of competition in many markets as well as the potential impact on traditional Medicare, the authors call for careful consideration of a new system for setting MA plan payments.

Thoracic Sympathectomy for Severe Refractory Multivessel Coronary Artery Spasm.

Coronary artery spasm is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Herein, we report a case of recurrent ST-segment myocardial infarctions and ventricular fibrillation complicating severe multivessel coronary artery spasm successfully treated with bilateral thoracic surgical sympathectomy.

New Right Bundle Branch Block as a Criterion for Emergent Coronary Angiography.

CONTEXT: ST-segment elevations in two or more contiguous leads or new left bundle branch block (LBBB) on electrocardiography (ECG) in a patient with acute onset chest pain are diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and generally warrant urgent coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization. However, the significance of new right bundle branch block (RBBB) without other acute ECG changes is unclear and is currently not considered a criterion. CASE REPORT: We present a patient with chest pain, positive biomarkers of myocardial necrosis and isolated new right bundle block on ECG. He was diagnosed with AMI but did not undergo urgent reperfusion therapy in the absence of ST-segment elevations or new LBBB. However, angiography ultimately demonstrated complete coronary occlusion. CONCLUSION: The established criteria for emergent catheterization may prove to be more sensitive with the inclusion of the presence of new RBBB on ECG.