International Patterns in Lipid Management and Implications for Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have published new findings in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, highlighting the importance of lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The study, named INTERASPIRE, is an observational study covering 14 countries from all WHO regions, and it aimed to quantify international variations in LLT use among patients with CHD and attainment of European guideline-recommended lipid goals. The results show that patients often fail to achieve guideline targets, and the use of combinations and up-titration of LLT is low. This research has significant implications for patients with CHD and highlights the need for more effective lipid management strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to quantify international variations in lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) use among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and attainment of European guideline-recommended lipid goals.
  • The INTERASPIRE study is an observational study covering 14 countries from all WHO regions, conducted between 2020 and 2023.
  • Patients (18-79 years) hospitalized in the preceding 6-36 months with CHD were invited for standardized interviews and examination, with central laboratory analyses for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B (apoB).
  • Valid lipid data meeting quality control standards were available from 13 countries, which were used to assess lipid goals following the 2019 guidelines of the European Atherosclerosis Society and the European Society of Cardiology.
  • The study found that contributory factors to poor lipid management include absence of any LLT use, low use of combinations, and failure to up-titrate LLT to achieve guideline targets.
  • Fotios Barkas and his team from Imperial College London conducted the research and published their findings in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Statistics:

  • The study covered 14 countries from all WHO regions.
  • 13 countries provided valid lipid data meeting quality control standards.
  • The study included patients aged 18-79 years.
  • The time period of the study was from 2020 to 2023.
  • The study found that patients often fail to achieve guideline targets for LDL-C.

Sources:

  • European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2025.
  • European Journal of Preventive Cardiology can be contacted at: Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England.
  • Fotios Barkas, Dept. of Public Health and Primary Care, Imperial College London, 90 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Imperial College London Report on Findings in Heart Disease (International patterns in lipid management and implications for patients with coronary heart disease: results from the INTERASPIRE study). Cardiovascular Week. August 25, 2025; p 173.