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

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:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through ScientiaCME. ScientiaCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ScientiaCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.