Identifying Candidates for PCSK9 Therapy After ASCVD Events

The panelists discuss how to identify appropriate candidates for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy following an ASCVD event. They emphasize that treatment decisions should be guided by both LDL-C levels and overall risk profile, with particular attention to patients who remain above guideline-recommended thresholds despite maximally tolerated statin and ezetimibe therapy. The experts highlight that individuals with recurrent cardiovascular events, multivessel disease, or premature ASCVD are at especially high risk and stand to benefit from early PCSK9 inhibitor initiation. The conversation also touches on secondary prevention timing, noting that introducing PCSK9 inhibition soon after an acute event may help achieve rapid and durable LDL-C reduction, potentially lowering near-term event risk. The panelists agree that improved access, clinician education, and integration of lipid management into the hospital-to-outpatient transition are key to expanding appropriate PCSK9 use and reducing the persistent burden of recurrent ASCVD events in high-risk patients.