Dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD): Updates from American Heart Association Scientific Session (AHA) 2016 (ACPE)

In the United States, over 98 million adults have a dyslipidemia, which are defined by a total cholesterol levels above 200mg/dL and, more importantly, nearly a third of the U.S. population has elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). These epidemiological findings have concerned healthcare professionals and public health policy stakeholders alike for decades, given that plasma lipoprotein abnormalities predispose individuals to cerebro- and peripheral vascular arterial disease and constitute one of the major known risk factors for coronary heart disease. As recently as 2014, less than half of adults with high LDL-C were receiving treatment to lower their levels, constituting a major practice gap. Some progress has been made in recent years: the treatment of high LDL-C among Americans has increased from only 28.4% in 1999-2002 to 48.1% in 2005-2008. Even so, millions remain untreated.

1. Summarize the most impactful findings presented at AHA 2016 meeting relating to dyslipidemia and ASCVD (inclusive of disease diagnosis, progression, prognosis, evaluation of degree therapeutic success, quantifying benefit and risk of disease progression and therapeutic, and emerging therapies), and apply them to patient cases.
2. Additional objectives to be dictated by clinical content

Credit Designation:

ScientiaCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This program is approved for 0.75 hours of continuing education. Proof of participation will be posted to your NABP CPE profile within 4 to 6 weeks to participants who have successfully completed the post-test. Participants must participate in the entire presentation and complete the course evaluation to receive continuing pharmacy education credit.