Statins are a class of drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease by lowering lipid levels, specifically LDL-C levels. Statins have shown to reduce new cardiovascular events by 30-40%. However, complications may still arise even after taking the drug and some patients are statin-intolerant. Lipoprotein apheresis therapy is another nonsurgical treatment for reducing LDL-C concentrations.
PCSK9 inhibitors are a new drug that can replace statins and lipoprotein apheresis therapy. For patients that are statin-intolerant, PCSK9 inhibitors can provide a therapeutic alternative.