Efficacy, Safety and Clinical Applicability of PCSK9 Inhibitors

pp. 151-161

Abstract

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors represent a new group of lipid-lowering drugs, which have generated a substantial change in lipid management. In a few years, a large number of studies have evaluated the lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of these drugs. More recently, large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that the decrease in LDL-C levels achieved with these agents were associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular events. This evidence led to approval and marketing of PCSK9 inhibitors in many countries. Consequently, several scientific societies and reference healthcare institutions have incorporated these drugs into the therapeutic arsenal for dyslipidemia in order to reduce residual cardiovascular risk. In this review, we will describe the efficacy and safety of these agents, analyze the available evidence about their cardiovascular benefits and discuss in which population their use might be most effective.