In patients with coronary atherosclerosis on statin therapy, using multidetector computed tomography to evaluate the effects of icosapent ethyl on plaque characteristics showed "significant changes in most plaque markers," according to 9-month results of the EVAPORATE study, presented Nov. 18 during AHA 2019 in Philadelphia, PA.

Matthew J. Budoff, MD, FACC, et al., looked at 80 patients with coronary atherosclerosis as documented by multidetector computed tomography (1 or more angiographic stenoses with ≥20 percent narrowing), who are on statin therapy with LDL-C levels 40 to 115 mg/dl and have persistent high triglyceride levels (200-499 mg/dL). The investigators assessed whether giving 4 g per day of icosapent ethyl to these patients had any effects on coronary plaque components vs. placebo.

Results showed that after 9 months, the icosapent ethyl group slowed progression of the primary endpoint of a change in low-attenuation plaque volume, by 21 percent (p=0.469). In addition, according to the investigators, there was "consistent efficacy across multiple subgroups."

Further, the fully adjusted median percent change in plaque volume at 9 months for low-attenuation plaque was 94 percent in the placebo group vs. 74 percent in the icosapent ethyl group.

The investigators conclude that the primary endpoint was "not significant" at the 9 month timepoint, but the study will continue to 18 months.

Keywords: AHA19, AHA Annual Scientific Sessions, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertriglyceridemia, Triglycerides, Primary Prevention, Dyslipidemias, Angina, Stable

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