Effect of Bempedoic Acid vs Placebo Added to Maximally Tolerated Statins on Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: The CLEAR Wisdom Randomized Clinical Trial -

Effect of Bempedoic Acid vs Placebo Added to Maximally Tolerated Statins on Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: The CLEAR Wisdom Randomized Clinical Trial
Information type: Randomised controlled trials
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association
Specialities: Cardiovascular system disorders
Summary
RCT (n=779) found that, in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease receiving maximally tolerated statins, bempedoic acid lowered LDL-C more than placebo at week 12 (–15.1%vs 2.4%, difference, –17.4% p<0.001).
UKMi comment
Authors highlight that further research is needed to assess the durability of the clinical effect as well as long-term safety.

A related editorial states that the next few years will see results from trials of additional nonstatin LDL-C– reducing agents. After focusing the last 3 decades exclusively on statins, the increasingly diverse options to attain maximally tolerated LDL-C reduction are welcome additions for management of high-risk patients.

Bempedoic acid is a small-molecule compound with a dual mechanism of action, inhibiting ATP citrate (pro-S)-lyase and stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It was filed for regulatory review in the EU in March 2019.
Related links: Editorial