Advancing Secondary ASCVD Prevention: Real-World Inclisiran Patient Experience Supporting LDL-C Target Achievement and WONCA, NHS and WHO Priorities
Zeineb FOURATI, Yesmine FERIANI, Barbara MAAKAROUN, Dalenda CHERNI-GUERISSI and Lisandte VOLPE-GILLOT
Achieving stringent LDL-C targets is essential for reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. ESC guidance recommends ≥50% LDL-C reduction and targets of <1.8 mmol/L (high risk) and <1.4 mmol/L (very high risk). Delivering this equitably aligns with WONCA Europe’s principles of person-centred, community-oriented primary care, the NHS Long Term Plan’s cardiovascular disease ambitions, and WHO priorities for non-communicable disease reduction. Inclisiran, a twice-yearly siRNA therapy targeting PCSK9, offers a simplified treatment model for patients not achieving LDL-C goals with conventional therapy.To assess real-world patient experience (PEx) with Inclisiran for secondary ASCVD prevention, and evaluate how implementation supports LDL-C optimisation, patient-centred care, and global primary-care priorities. A cross-sectional mixed-methods SMS survey was distributed to 203 patients treated with Inclisiran in a rural primary-care setting (2022–2024). Eligibility required established ASCVD & persistent LDL-C elevation despite guideline-directed therapy. A total of 118 patients responded (58%). Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative comments underwent thematic analysis & were mapped to WONCA principles (continuity, comprehensiveness, coordination, & person-centredness). Respondents were mostly ≥70 years (57.6%) and female (55.1%). Most had received Inclisiran for over one year (78.6%). Treatment acceptability was high: 93% found the injection easy to receive; side effects were infrequent (13.2%), mild, and not treatment-limiting. Overall satisfaction reached 86.7%. The majority (80.5%) preferred twice-yearly dosing to daily tablets, reflecting WHO aims to reduce treatment burden and improve adherence. Although biochemical results were not collected within this PEx survey, contemporary real-world data from the same service demonstrated LDL-C reductions of up to 59% over 27 months, supporting ESC secondary-prevention targets. Opportunities for improvement included education and involvement: 56.6% requested more information, and 23.6% felt only partly involved in decision-making.Inclisiran demonstrated high patient acceptance and minimal adverse effects, supporting routine implementation in primary care. The dosing schedule enhances continuity, engagement, and adherence—key components of WONCA-aligned, person-centred prevention. Gaps in patient understanding highlight the need for enhanced education, shared decision-making, & personalised lipid-lowering plans.Inclisiran is a well-tolerated, convenient therapy that supports achieving stringent LDL-C targets in line with ESC & NHS cardiovascular priorities. Strengthening co-created treatment goals & patient literacy may maximise outcomes.
