Effect of Evolocumab on Coronary Atherosclerosis

Summary

This study will quantify changes in coronary plaque volumes and plaque composition in patients treated with evolocumab. Previous intravascular ultrasound studies have shown that treatment with a lipid-lowering PCSK9 enzyme inhibitor, such as evolocumab, to be associated with a reduction of the fatty deposits that cause plaque in the arteries, however, it is not known how evolocumab affects specific coronary plaque types and plaque inflammation. Investigators will use quantitative assessment of non-invasive coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and positron emission tomography (PET)imaging to evaluate functional changes in plaque burden, plaque composition and vascular inflammation before and after treatment with evolocumab. Investigators propose to show that patients treated with evolocumab in combination with statins demonstrate a greater reduction of coronary non-calcified plaque volume, thereby reducing the number of future cardiac events.

Timeline

Start

2019-03-19

Primary completion

2023-01-28

Completion

2023-05-30

Publications

• Han D, Tzolos E, Park R, Gransar H, Hyun M, Friedman JD, Hayes SW, Thomson LEJ, Kwan AC, Budoff M, Shah PK, Kwiecinski J, Wetzel S, Findling C, Slomka PJ, Dey D, Tamarappoo BK, Berman DS. Effects of Evolocumab on Coronary Plaque Composition and Microcalcification Activity by Coronary PET and CT Angiography. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2025 May;18(5):589-599. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2025.01.005. Epub 2025 Apr 2.

Drugs

Indications