What are the benefits and harms of LDL-C lowering with statin therapy plus a second lipid-modifying agent?
In adults 20 years of age with clinical atherosclerotic disease (eg, CHD, peripheral artery disease, or CVD) or at high-risk of ASCVD, the evidence review committee found that LDL-C lowering with statin therapy plus a second lipid-modifying agent may result in an absolute reduction in individual endpoints and composite ischemic events (eg, fatal cardiovascular event, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, unstable angina/revascularization) with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 1-3. Additionally, there may also be an absolute increase in terms of adverse events (eg, cancer, rhabdomyolysis, diabetes mellitus) with a number needed to harm (NNH) of 1-20.