Background/Objectives: Vulnerable coronary plaques are strongly associated with acute coronary events, posing significant therapeutic challenges despite statin therapy. This case report evaluates the impact of Evolocumab, a PCSK-9 inhibitor, on stabilizing high-risk plaques and promoting phenotypic transformation, assessed through coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods: A 50-year-old male with chronic coronary syndrome and a history of myocardial infarction underwent a CCTA, revealing a high-risk plaque (approximately 50%) in the proximal LAD. Despite achieving LDL-C targets with statin therapy, the plaque showed vulnerability features. Evolocumab (140 mg subcutaneously every two weeks) was added to therapy, combined with dietary counseling and dual antiplatelet therapy. Results: A follow-up CCTA at 24 months demonstrated significant reductions in plaque volume and positive remodeling, with a transformation from a mixed phenotype to a predominantly calcified plaque. LDL-C levels decreased from 71 mg/dL to 18 mg/dL. The patient remained asymptomatic, with no cardiovascular events reported during the follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights the role of PCSK-9 inhibitors in stabilizing high-risk plaques, achieving structural changes that promote stability beyond LDL-C reduction. Advanced imaging techniques such as CCTA proved essential for risk stratification and monitoring therapy efficacy. Evolocumab offers a promising adjunctive treatment for high-risk patients unsuitable for elective revascularization, potentially redefining the standard of care for plaque stabilization in this setting.

Patient with Vulnerable Coronary Plaque and Treatment with Evolocumab: A Clinical Case / L. Addeo, P. Guarini, P. Campana, L. Argenziano, S. Nardi, C. Tedeschi, A. Scatteia, M. Silvestre, A. Rapacciuolo, G. Esposito, S. Giordano, L.A. Dalla Vecchia, F. Donatelli. - In: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. - ISSN 2077-0383. - 14:4(2025 Feb 14), pp. 1257.1-1257.7. [10.3390/jcm14041257]

Patient with Vulnerable Coronary Plaque and Treatment with Evolocumab: A Clinical Case

F. Donatelli
Ultimo
2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Vulnerable coronary plaques are strongly associated with acute coronary events, posing significant therapeutic challenges despite statin therapy. This case report evaluates the impact of Evolocumab, a PCSK-9 inhibitor, on stabilizing high-risk plaques and promoting phenotypic transformation, assessed through coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods: A 50-year-old male with chronic coronary syndrome and a history of myocardial infarction underwent a CCTA, revealing a high-risk plaque (approximately 50%) in the proximal LAD. Despite achieving LDL-C targets with statin therapy, the plaque showed vulnerability features. Evolocumab (140 mg subcutaneously every two weeks) was added to therapy, combined with dietary counseling and dual antiplatelet therapy. Results: A follow-up CCTA at 24 months demonstrated significant reductions in plaque volume and positive remodeling, with a transformation from a mixed phenotype to a predominantly calcified plaque. LDL-C levels decreased from 71 mg/dL to 18 mg/dL. The patient remained asymptomatic, with no cardiovascular events reported during the follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights the role of PCSK-9 inhibitors in stabilizing high-risk plaques, achieving structural changes that promote stability beyond LDL-C reduction. Advanced imaging techniques such as CCTA proved essential for risk stratification and monitoring therapy efficacy. Evolocumab offers a promising adjunctive treatment for high-risk patients unsuitable for elective revascularization, potentially redefining the standard of care for plaque stabilization in this setting.
PCSK-9 inhibitors; coronary CT angiography; plaque stabilization
Settore MEDS-13/C - Chirurgia cardiaca
14-feb-2025
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
jcm-14-01257-v2.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Case Report
Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 644.62 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
644.62 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1160837
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact