Evolocumab Cuts First Heart Attack Risk 31% in Diabetics
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- VESALIUS‑CV trial enrolled 3,655 high‑risk diabetic patients without significant atherosclerosis and compared evolocumab to placebo.
- Evolocumab was administered as a biweekly injection alongside standard statin/ezetimibe therapy.
- Evolocumab reduced median LDL‑C by about 51% after 48 weeks (52 mg/dL vs 111 mg/dL in placebo).
- Evolocumab lowered the five‑year risk of a first major cardiovascular event by 31% (5% vs 7.1% event rate).
- Serious side effects occurred at comparable rates in both the evolocumab and placebo groups, indicating similar tolerability.
- American College of Cardiology presented the findings and they were published in JAMA; the study was funded by Amgen.
Why it matters: High‑risk diabetic patients without diagnosed atherosclerosis gain a 31% reduction in first major cardiovascular events, while clinicians can expand intensive LDL‑C lowering beyond those with established disease; the similar safety profile and modest absolute risk drop (5% vs 7.1%) make the approach a tangible preventive option.
