The Study
Proprotein convertase subtilisn/kexin type 9 inhibitors and small interfering RNA therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This study combines results from many high-quality experiments where people were randomly given either a new medicine or a fake one. Because it uses real experiments, it can tell us that these medicines probably cause lower cholesterol and fewer heart problems — especially Evolocumab and Alirocumab.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Some medicines can help lower bad cholesterol and prevent heart problems in people who are already at high risk.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 559 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1These medicines help keep hearts healthier and may prevent heart attacks and strokes, especially when statins aren't enough.
- 2Evolocumab lowers bad cholesterol by 61% and heart problems by 15%.
- 3Alirocumab lowers cholesterol by 46% and heart problems by 65%.
- 4Inclisiran lowers cholesterol by up to 55% with just two shots a year.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
PLOS ONE
Year
2023
Authors
Tasnim F. Imran, Ali A. Khan, P. Has, A. Jacobson, S. Bogin, M. Khalid, Asim Khan, Samuel M Kim, S. Erqou, Gaurav Choudhary, K. Aspry, Wen-Chih Wu
Related Content
Claims (7)
Adding a drug called evolocumab to cholesterol-lowering statins can lower the chances of serious heart problems by 20% in people who already have heart disease.
Adding a drug called evolocumab to cholesterol-lowering statins can lower the chances of serious heart problems by 20% in people who already have heart disease.
A drug called Evolocumab helps lower the chance of serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes in people at high risk — and it seems to work pretty well over about 8 months.
A drug called evolocumab, when given every two weeks, cuts bad cholesterol by more than 60% in people at high risk for heart problems — and that result has shown up consistently in several major studies.
A drug called alirocumab may help prevent serious heart problems and even lower the chance of dying from heart disease in people at high risk — but we’re still not totally sure about the life-extending effects because the data is limited.
A shot called inclisiran can cut bad cholesterol by more than half in people at high risk for heart problems, and it works with just two doses a year.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.