In ACS, start high-intensity statin (e.g., atorvastatin 80 mg) on day 1, add ezetimibe 1-4 weeks later if LDL-C >1.8 mmol/L, and escalate to PCSK9i at 3 months if still elevated despite combination therapy. Maintain triple therapy ongoing every 6-12 months to achieve LDL-C ≤1.4 mmol/L, emphasizing lifestyle and adherence.
Lipid Management in ACS
{ "headers": [ "Step", "Timing", "Primary Therapy", "LDL-C Threshold / Target", "Notes" ], "rows": [ [ "1: Day 1", "Admission / Day 1", "High-intensity statin (e.g., atorvastatin 80 mg or rosuvastatin 20-40 mg)", "Initiate immediately", "Class I, LOE A; Max tolerated dose ASAP" ], [ "2: Early Assessment", "1-4 weeks post-statin", "Add ezetimibe 10 mg daily", "LDL-C >1.8 mmol/L on statin alone", "Combination therapy; recheck lipids" ], [ "3: Escalation", "3 months post-ACS", "Add PCSK9i (alirocumab/praluent or evolocumab/repatha)", "LDL-C >1.8 mmol/L despite statin + ezetimibe", "Very high-risk goal: ≤1.4 mmol/L (or ≥50% ↓ if 1.4-1.8)", "Class I, LOE A" ], [ "4: Maintenance", "Ongoing (q6-12 months)", "Maintain/maximize triple therapy if needed; consider bempedoic acid", "Achieve/maintain ≤1.4 mmol/L", "Lifestyle + pharmacologic; reassess adherence & safety" ] ] }
Source: 2025 ESC/EAS Dyslipidaemia Guidelines
Speaker Notes
Stepwise approach for very high-risk ACS patients: Initiate high-intensity statin on day 1 (Class I, LOE A). Add ezetimibe if LDL-C >1.8 mmol/L at 1-4 weeks. Escalate to PCSK9i if persistent elevation at 3 months. Goal: LDL-C ≤1.4 mmol/L (or ≥50% reduction from baseline if 1.4-1.8 mmol/L). Monitor q6-12 months.