• Franck Boccara, Pierre Sabouret, Catherine Boileau, Jean-Louis Georges, Christophe Leclercq, Philippe Lesnik, and Eric Bruckert.
• Department of Cardiology, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR S938, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Hôpitaux de l'Est Parisien, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne University, Paris, France - franck.boccara@aphp.fr.
• Panminerva Med. 2024 Mar 1; 66 (1): 182618-26.

BackgroundIncreased level of blood LDL-C has a causal and cumulative effect on advancing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). European guidelines for treating high LDL-C levels have been recently updated. However, in France, several challenges (e.g., physician and patient awareness, healthcare management) limit the application of management guidelines. The aim of this study was to understand the current opinions and perceived unmet clinical needs in recognising and managing hypercholesterolemia as an ASCVD risk factor, and to explore consensus around factors that support the effective management of elevated LDL-C.MethodsAn expert group of cardiologists, endocrinologists, biology/genetics researchers, and a health technology assessments expert, from France was convened. The current management of hypercholesterolemia and barriers to achieving LDL-C goals in France were discussed and 44 statements were developed. Wider consensus was assessed by sending the statements as a 4-point Likert Scale questionnaire to cardiologists and endocrinologists across France. The consensus threshold was defined as ≥75%.ResultsA total of 101 responses were received. Consensus was very high (>90%) in 25 (57%) statements, high (≥75%) in 18 (41%) statements and was not achieved (<75%) only in 1 (2%) of statements. Overall, 43 statements achieved consensus.ConclusionsBased on consensus levels, key recommendations for improving current guidelines and approaches to care have been developed. Implementation of these recommendations will lead to better concordance with international treatment guidelines and increase levels of education for healthcare practitioners and patients. In turn, this will improve the available treatment pathways for cardiovascular diseases, potentially creating improved patient outcomes in the future.

34 keywords...

hide…