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Objective Since dyslipidaemia is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), lowering of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) causes significant reduction in morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with established CHD. The aim of this survey was to assess how statins were prescribed in CHD patients at discharge after a coronary event from hospitals throughout Europe and how the intake of these drugs was reported by the patients when they were seen more than one year later in relationship with their achieved LDL-C levels. Methods 6648 CHD patients' data from centres in 24 European countries were gathered using standardized methods. Lipid measurements were performed in one central laboratory. Patients were divided in three groups: high-intensity statin therapy, moderate or low intensity statin therapy and no statin therapy at all. Results 90.4% CHD patients were on statin therapy at the time of discharge from the hospital which decreased to 86% one year later. Only 37.6% of these patients were prescribed a high-intensity statin at discharge which even decreased to 32.7% later. In only 6 countries (all of them high-income countries) the number of patients on a high-intensity statin therapy increased substantially after the hospital discharge. It is worrying that statin therapy was discontinued in 11.6% and that only 19.3% of all CHD patients achieved target values of LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L at the time of interview. Conclusions Too many CHD patients with dyslipidaemia are still inadequately treated and most of these patients on statin therapy are not achieving the treatment targets. Therapeutic control of LDL-C is clearly related to the intensity of lipid lowering drug regimen after the CHD event indicating that a considerable potential still exists throughout Europe to reduce CHD mortality and morbidity rates through more efficient LDL-C lowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) V in primary care was carried out by the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme in 2016-2018. The main objective was to determine whether the 2016 Joint European Societies' guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in people at high cardiovascular risk have been implemented in clinical practice., Methods: The method used was a cross-stional survey in 78 centres from 16 European countries. Patients without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease either started on blood pressure and/or lipid and/or glucose lowering treatments were identified and interviewed ≥ 6 months after the start of medication., Results: A total of 3562 medical records were reviewed and 2759 patients (57.6% women; mean age 59.0 ± 11.6 years) interviewed (interview rate 70.0%). The risk factor control was poor with 18.1% of patients being smokers, 43.5% obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and 63.8% centrally obese (waist circumference ≥88 cm for women, ≥102 cm for men). Of patients on blood pressure lowering medication 47.0% reached the target of <140/90 mm Hg (<140/85 mm Hg in people with diabetes). Among treated dyslipidaemic patients only 46.9% attained low density lipoprotein-cholesterol target of <2.6 mmol/l. Among people treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus, 65.2% achieved the HbA1c target of <7.0%., Conclusion: The primary care arm of the EUROASPIRE V survey revealed that large proportions of people at high cardiovascular disease risk have unhealthy lifestyles and inadequate control of blood pressure, lipids and diabetes. Thus, the potential to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular disease throughout Europe by improved preventive cardiology programmes is substantial., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aims: Recent European guidelines recommend in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to achieve a reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of at least 50% if the baseline low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level is between 1.8 and 3.5 mmol/L. Systematic reviews have associated a given statin/dose combination with a fixed percentage low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol response. Algorithms for detecting cases and estimating the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia often rely on such fixed percentage reductions., Methods and Results: We used data from 915 coronary patients participating in the EUROASPIRE V study in whom atorvastatin or rosuvastatin therapy was initiated at hospital discharge and who were still using these drugs at the same dose at a follow-up visit 6 or more months later. Pre and on-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were compared across the full low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol range. The prevalence of FH was estimated using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, once using observed pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and once using imputed pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol by following the common strategy of applying fixed correction factors to on-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Inter-individual variation in the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol response to a fixed statin and dose was considerable, with a strong inverse relation of percentage reductions to pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The percentage low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol response was markedly lower at the left end of the pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol range especially for levels less than 3 mmol/L. The estimated prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia was 2% if using observed pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and 10% when using imputed low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol., Conclusion: The inter-individual variation in the percentage low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol response to a given dose of a statin is largely dependent on the pre-treatment level: the lower the pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level the smaller the percentage low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol reduction. The use of uniform correction factors to estimate pre-treatment low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol is not justified.

Background and Aims: One of the objectives of the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey is to determine how well European guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias are implemented in coronary patients., Methods: Standardized methods were used by trained technicians to collect information on 7824 patients from 130 centers in 27 countries, from the medical records and at a visit at least 6 months after hospitalization for a coronary event. All lipid measurements were performed in one central laboratory. Patients were divided into three groups: on high-intensity LDL-C-lowering-drug therapy (LLT), on low or moderate-intensity LLT and on no LLT., Results: At the time of the visit, almost half of the patients were on a high-intensity LLT. Between hospital discharge and the visit, LLT had been reduced in intensity or interrupted in 20.8% of the patients and had been started or increased in intensity in 11.7%. In those who had interrupted LLT or had reduced the intensity, intolerance to LLT and the advice of their physician were reported as the reason why in 15.8 and 36.8% of the cases, respectively. LDL-C control was better in those on a high-intensity LLT compared to those on low or moderate intensity LLT. LDL-C control was better in men than women and in patients with self-reported diabetes., Conclusions: The results of the EUROASPIRE V survey show that most coronary patients have a less than optimal management of LDL-C. More professional strategies are needed, aiming at lifestyle changes and LLT adapted to the need of the individual patient., (Crown Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of optimized guideline adherence in patients with a history of coronary heart disease., Methods: An individual-based decision tree model was developed using the SMART risk score tool which estimates the 10-year risk for recurrent vascular events in patients with manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD). Analyses were based on the EUROASPIRE IV survey. Outcomes were expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER)., Results: Data from 4663 patients from 13 European countries were included in the analyses. The mean estimated 10-year risk for a recurrent vascular event decreased from 20.13% to 18.61% after optimized guideline adherence. Overall, an ICER of 52,968€/QALY was calculated. The ICER lowered to 29,093€/QALY when only considering high-risk patients (≥20%) with decreasing ICERs in higher risk patients. Also, a dose-response relationship was seen with lower ICERs in older patients and in those patients with higher risk reductions. A less stringent LDL target (<2.5 mmol/L vs. <1.8 mmol/L) lowered the ICER to 32,591€/QALY and intensifying cholesterol treatment in high-risk patients (≥20%) instead of high-cholesterol patients lowered the ICER to 28,064€/QALY. An alternative method, applying risk reductions to the CVD events instead of applying risk reductions to the risk factors lowered the ICER to 31,509€/QALY., Conclusion: Depending on the method used better or worse ICERs were found. In addition, optimized guidelines adherence is more cost-effective in higher risk patients, in patients with higher risk reductions and when using a less strict LDL-C target. Current analyses advice to maximize guidelines adherence in particular patient subgroups., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A meeting of European experts in cardiovascular (CV) disease and lipids was convened in Paris, France, on 10 November 2014 to discuss lipid profile, and in particular atherogenic dyslipidaemia (AD), and associated CV risk. Key points that were raised and discussed during the meeting are summarised in this paper, which also accounts for further discussion and agreement on these points by the group of experts. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) are commonly associated with a greater CV risk than low LDL-c levels, and are routinely managed with statins. However, even for patients controlled on statins and achieving low LDL-c levels, abnormal lipid profiles observed in some patients (i.e. elevated triglyceride levels, with/without low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c]) have been linked to the presence of a residual CV risk. Therefore, it is recommended that both triglyceride and HDL-c levels be measured, to allow for the overall CV residual risk to be adequately managed. Favourable safety and clinical data support the combination of statins with other lipid-lowering agents, such as fenofibrate. Patients who have elevated triglyceride levels plus low levels of HDL-c are most likely to achieve clinical benefit from fenofibrate-statin combination therapy. In these patients with AD, achieving target non-HDL-c levels should be a key focus of CV risk management, and the use of non-HDL-c was advocated to provide a better measure of CV risk than LDL-c levels., (© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a hereditary disorder predisposing to premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and is until now mainly diagnosed clinically on the basis of a classical phenotype. Its prevalence varies and is estimated around 1 in 200-500; in patients with established CHD the prevalence is less well documented., Methods and Results: In EUROASPIRE IV data were collected in coronary patients from 24 European countries by means of a standardized interview, bioclinical examination and venous blood sampling. Potential FH was estimated using an adapted version of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria. Among the 7044 patients eligible for analysis, the prevalence of potential FH was 8.3%; 7.5% in men and 11.1% in women. The prevalence was inversely related to age with a putative prevalence of 1:5 in those with CHD <50 yrs of age in both sexes. Even among women aged 70 the prevalence was 1:10. Irrespective of age and gender, prevalence differed substantially between European regions; potential FH patients were more likely to smoke, had higher triglycerides levels and their blood pressure was less well controlled. The use of cardioprotective drugs and the prevalences of diabetes, obesity and central obesity were similar., Conclusions: The prevalence of potential FH in coronary patients is high; the results underscore the need to promote identification of FH in CHD patients and to improve their risk factor profile., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: To compare the European and US guidelines for familial hypercholesterolaemia, but also all the European and US position/consensus papers on heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia published recently., Recent Findings: It has been established that the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia was previously markedly underestimated. The disease is characterized by a lifelong significant increase in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and therefore premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recommendations on familial hypercholesterolaemia have been included as a special chapter in the recent European (European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society) guidelines on dyslipidaemia, whereas in the new US (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association) lipid guidelines they have been included only generally and these guidelines avoid mentioning familial hypercholesterolaemia explicitly. Both of these guidelines recommend statins in high doses as the treatment option. However, in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, there is no requirement to attain a specific LDL-C target which is different from the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines. Although these two guidelines differ markedly in a number of aspects, they both stress the need to diagnose familial hypercholesterolaemia patients as early as possible and to treat them with intensive LDL-C-lowering therapy., Summary: All the guidelines and consensus papers stress that earlier diagnosis and effective treatment can markedly improve life expectancy among familial hypercholesterolaemia patients.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most important public health problem of our time in both Europe and the rest of the world, accounting for the greatest expenditure in most healthcare budgets. Achieving consistency of clinical care, incorporating new evidence and their synthesis into practical recommendations for clinicians is the task of various guideline committees throughout the world. Any change in a set of guidelines therefore can have far reaching consequences, particularly if they appear to be at variance with the existing guidelines. The present article discusses the recent American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines 2013 on the control of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in adults. When compared with the ESC/EAS guidelines on lipid modification in 2011, the ACC/AHA guidelines of 2013 differ markedly. Specifically, (i) the scope is limited to randomized trials only, which excludes a significant body of data and promotes essentially a statin centric approach only; (ii) the abolition of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets in favour of specific statin regimens that produce a 30-50% reduction in LDL-C we believe will confuse many physicians and miss the opportunity for medication adherence and patient engagement in self-management; (iii) the absence of target LDL-C levels in very high-risk patients with high absolute risk or residual risk factors will discourage clinicians to consider the addition of lipid modification treatments and individualize patient care; (iv) a reduction in the threshold for treatment in primary prevention will result in a greater number of patients being prescribed statin therapy, which is potentially good in young patients with high life time risk, but will result in a very large number of older patients offered therapy; and (v) the mixed pool risk calculator used to asses CVD risk in the guidelines for primary prevention has not been fully evaluated. This article discusses the potential implications of adopting the ACC/AHA guidelines on patient care in Europe and beyond and concludes with the opinion that the ESC/EAS guidelines from 2011 seem to be the most wide ranging, pragmatic and appropriate choice for European countries.

Aims: Passive smoking is the inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to describe the frequency of passive smoking among patients with CHD and to investigate the association between ETS exposure and smoking cessation., Methods and Results: The EUROASPIRE III survey was conducted in 2006-07 among CHD patients up to 80 years of age from 22 European regions. Patients were interviewed and examined on average 15 months after hospital admission for CHD. Information was obtained on smoking prior to hospital admission, smoking at interview, and ETS exposure at home, at work, and at other locations. Breath carbon monoxide was measured to validate self-reported non-smoking. Among 8729 patients, 6060 (69.4%) were non-smokers prior to hospital admission, of whom 10.3% reported ETS exposure at home, 7.2% at work, and 13.8% at other locations. Overall, 24.2% of non-smokers were exposed to ETS at any place. Among the 2669 patients who were smoking prior to hospital admission, the likelihood of cessation at interview was lower in those with ETS exposure at home than in those without [25.3 vs. 58.1%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.33]. This finding applied also to ETS exposure at work (32.2 vs. 52.7%; adjusted OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.42-0.76) and at other locations (38.0 vs. 52.8%; adjusted OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48-0.84)., Conclusion: A noteworthy proportion of non-smokers with CHD are exposed to ETS. Passive smoking may jeopardize smoking cessation among CHD patients.

Objective: Dyslipidaemia is among the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The lowering of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) yields significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in patients with established CHD. The aim of this survey was to assess how dyslipidaemia is managed following a coronary event in different places in Europe., Methods: CHD patients' data from centres in 22 European countries were gathered using standardised methods. In total, 8467 CHD patients with lipid measurements in one central laboratory were included. Trends from 8 countries participating in all three EUROASPIRE surveys (1994-1995, 1999-2000, 2006-2007) were also investigated., Results: 51.1% of CHD patients had elevated total cholesterol (≥4.5 mmol/L), 54.5% had raised LDL-C (≥2.5 mmol/L), 36.7% had low HDL-C (<1.0 mmol/L for men and <1.2 mmol/L for women), and 34.7% had increased triglycerides (≥1.7 mmol/L). The use of lipid lowering drugs was 79.8% but it varied considerably, ranging from only 41.6% (Lithuania) to 95.4% (Finland). Over the past decade, in 8 countries the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (≥4.5 mmol/L) in CHD patients has decreased from 94.5% in the first to 76.7% in the second and 46.2% in the third survey (p < 0.0001). The use of lipid-lowering drugs increased from 32.3% in the first, to 62.7% in the second and 88.8% in the third survey (p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Although management of dyslipidaemia in CHD patients is improving, a large majority of CHD patients with dyslipidaemia is still inadequately treated and many patients on lipid-lowering therapy are not reaching the treatment goals. Therefore, a considerable potential still exists throughout Europe to reduce CHD mortality and morbidity rates through better treatment of dyslipidaemia., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)