Low Guideline-Directed Use of High-Intensity Statins in ASCVD

Less than one quarter of patients with ASCVD filled prescriptions for high-intensity statins.

Statins convincingly reduce the risk for adverse cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, despite a well-promoted guideline recommending use of high-intensity statins in patients with established ASCVD, these drugs continue to be underutilized.

In a retrospective cohort study, investigators used claims data from a large U.S. commercial insurer to identify patterns and predictors of guideline-directed use of high-intensity statins among 601,934 patients with established ASCVD (42% women; mean age, 68 years).

Only 23% of the cohort were on a high-intensity statin, and half were not on any statin. After multivariable adjustment, younger patients, women, patients with more comorbidities, and …

Reviewing Author

Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNovoNordisk; HealthPals; Novartis; Amgen

EquityHealthPals; Carta

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association–Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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