Season 3 - Ep.17: Extended interview on strategies to reach LDL cholesterol goals in high-risk patients

Jun 5, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, J. Wouter Jukema, the Head of Cardiology at Leiden University Medical Center and an expert in LDL management, shares vital insights on cholesterol treatment strategies. He explores the intricate debate surrounding LDL cholesterol and reviews the efficacy of current therapies. Jukema emphasizes the benefits of statins while addressing common misconceptions and concerns. He also highlights the potential of combination therapies and the significance of lipoprotein little a in treating high-risk patients, paving the way for future advancements.

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INSIGHT

LDL Lowering Benefits Clarity

LDL lowering reduces major adverse cardiovascular events and eventually mortality.
Short clinical trials may not immediately show mortality benefit due to the slow progression of atherosclerosis.

INSIGHT

Statin Side Effects Demystified

Statin side effects occur but most patients tolerate them well.
Statins do not worsen dementia and slightly increase glucose levels, which shouldn't deter usage, especially in diabetics.

ADVICE

Combine Early for Better Adherence

Use combination therapy of statins and ezetimibe early to achieve LDL goals and minimize side effects.
Reward patients early by showing improvements to enhance adherence to long-term therapy.

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Host: Susanna Price

Guest: J. Wouter Jukema

Want to watch that extended interview on LDL management? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/1807?resource=interview

Want to watch the full episode? Go to: https://esc365.escardio.org/event/1807

Disclaimer

ESC TV Today is supported by Bristol Myers Squibb and Novartis.

This scientific content and opinions expressed in the programme have not been influenced in any way by its sponsors.

This programme is intended for health care professionals only and is to be used for educational purposes.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) does not aim to promote medicinal products nor devices.

Any views or opinions expressed are the presenters' own and do not reflect the views of the ESC.

Declarations of interests

Stephan Achenbach, Nicolle Kraenkel and Susanna Price have declared to have no potential conflicts of interest to report.

Carlos Aguiar has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: personal fees for consultancy and/or speaker fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BiAL, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Ferrer, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Servier, Takeda, Tecnimede.

Davide Capodanno has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi Aventis, Novo Nordisk, Terumo.

J. Wouter Jukema has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: J. Wouter Jukema/his department has received research grants from and/or was speaker (CME accredited) meetings sponsored/supported by Abbott, Amarin, Amgen, Athera, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Dalcor, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, GE Healthcare Johnson and Johnson, Lilly, Medtronic, Merck-Schering-Plough, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi Aventis,Shockwave Medical, the Netherlands Heart Foundation, CardioVascular Research the Netherlands (CVON), the Netherlands Heart Institute and the European Community Framework KP7 Programme.

Steffen Petersen has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: consultancy for Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Emma Svennberg has declared to have potential conflicts of interest to report: Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Squibb-Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson.