Der Internist
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Hypercholesterolemias are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although statins have reduced the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and further therapeutic measures are available, treatment goals are often not achieved. In cases of very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or of intolerability, the established therapies are often not sufficiently effective or cannot be used in adequate doses. For these high-risk patients further treatment options are required. ⋯ The body of evidence is rapidly increasing thereby facilitating the decision making when PCSK9 inhibitors could be used. The PCSK9 inhibitors will considerably improve the options for optimal treatment of high-risk patients.