Pharmacist-Led Care Leads to Better Outcomes in ASCVD | ASHP Midyear

Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experienced a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when their care was managed by an ambulatory cardiology pharmacist. This is according to research results presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, held December 8 to 12 in New Orleans, Louisiana.¹

In a retrospective, single-center cohort review, researchers evaluated the reduction in average LDL cholesterol in patients with ASCVD based on whether patients were managed via usual care or by an ambulatory cardiology pharmacist.

A total of 53 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome was average LDL reduction; the key secondary outcomes included the percentage of patients who achieved LDL less than 70 mg/dL when managed by usual care vs an ambulatory cardiology pharmacist and the percentage of patients on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors or bempedoic acid before and after their initial pharmacy encounter.

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From baseline, average LDL reduction was 13 mg/dL vs 31 mg/dL in the usual care vs pharmacist-managed group. LDL of less than 70 mg/dL was reached in 9% of patients when managed by usual care, compared with 53% of patients when managed by an ambulatory cardiology pharmacist. More patients were managed via PCSK9 inhibitors with ambulatory care pharmacist management compared with usual care (45% vs 0%); no patients were taking bempedoic acid in either group throughout the study period.

“Patients managed by ambulatory care cardiology pharmacists had a statistically significant greater average LDL reduction compared to those managed by usual care,” the researchers concluded.

READ MORE: Cardiology Resource Center

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Reference

1. DelGrosso K, Ifeji C, Fever J, Karaffa D. Impact of ambulatory clinical pharmacy services on lipid management in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in an outpatient cardiology clinic. Presented at: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition; December 8-12, 2024; New Orleans, LA. Poster 4-011.