PCSK9 inhibitors attenuates arterial stiffness in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors has been demonstrated to exert a great protection in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with atherosclerosis. However, the effect of these drugs on vascular function, such as arterial stiffness (AS), has not been extensively described yet. OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on uncovering the actions of PCSK9 inhibitors on attenuates AS. METHODS: The experiment was randomly divided into 2 groups, one treated with statin and PCSK9 inhibitors (Evolocumab or Alirocumab) and the other with statin alone. Detected the indicators of lipid metabolism and AS were at the beginning of treatment, 1 month and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: With 1 month treatment of statin and PCSK9 inhibitors, the levels of LVEF, NTP, TC, TG, LDL, Lp(a) in the patients had reduced already more apparently than only with statins. Until 6 months follow-up, pulse wave velocity had improved notably (p-value＜0.05), and ankle brachial index had also decreased significantly undergoing treatment with statins and PCSK9 inhibitors (p-value＜0.05), no differ significantly by Evolocumab or Alirocumab (p-value＞0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this research suggested that PCSK9 inhibitors can not only improve lipid metabolism, but also attenuate AS, which give a further rationale for using PCSK9 inhibitors for its effect in vascular disorders.