Transcript
Dr Bertolet:
Hi, I’m Barry Bertolet, an interventional cardiologist. I am joined today by Dr Todd Sandroni, a clinical pharmacist on our team. Todd and I have worked side by side for many years, and he’s become an essential part of managing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, for our patients.
Dr Sandroni:
I’m excited to have this discussion today. A big part of my role is making sure that the treatment plans that we create as a team are actually implemented. Let’s review the Indication and Important Safety Information for LEQVIO.
Voiceover:
INDICATION: LEQVIO® (inclisiran) injection is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindication: LEQVIO is contraindicated in patients with a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to inclisiran or any of the excipients in LEQVIO. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported in patients treated with LEQVIO. Advise patients on the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and instruct patients to seek medical attention promptly.
Adverse Reactions: Adverse reactions in clinical trials (≥3% of adult patients treated with LEQVIO and more frequently than placebo) were injection site reaction, arthralgia, and bronchitis.
Please see LEQVIO full Prescribing Information available on this site or at LEQVIOHCP.com.
Dr Bertolet:
I typically initiate an additional LDL-C–lowering therapy for those not at target soon after an event, within the first 6 to 8 weeks when possible. For patients with ASCVD who may have received their diagnosis via imaging and not yet had an event, I also like to escalate their LDL-C–lowering therapy as quickly as possible.
I recommend LEQVIO for my patients with ASCVD who are not at their guideline-recommended LDL-C target. In our practice, we’ve treated over 700 adult patients with LEQVIO and what we are seeing aligns with the clinical trials.
When we put the right process in place and prioritize follow-up visits, many patients are able to make meaningful progress toward their LDL-C goals and, just as importantly, maintain that momentum between visits.
Dr Sandroni:
In my experience, having the full team involved in the conversation helps patients understand why we’re adding a therapy like LEQVIO, and helps them feel more comfortable taking the next step. Many of our patients are juggling multiple medications, so we look for options that can potentially fit seamlessly into their daily lives.
This is where LEQVIO stands out, as it’s the only twice-yearly PCSK9 inhibitor therapy available.
LEQVIO is HCP-administered and dosed twice yearly, that is every 6 months, following an initial dose and another at 3 months. Once LEQVIO is administered, I know that there is no chance of a missed dose for 6 months.
What's more, for many, access is quite straightforward—a majority of our patients are covered under traditional Medicare Part B, which often makes getting started on LEQVIO even simpler. Once a patient’s insurance is verified, our office calls the patient to schedule both the injection and an appointment with a member of our team.
Whether in our office or at an alternate site of care, we try our best to coordinate the appointments to ensure we don’t lose the patient to follow-up appointments. A collaborative approach involving the entire care team can often help ensure a seamless process, providing patients with prompt access to an LDL-C–lowering treatment such as LEQVIO, helping them work towards their LDL-C goals.
Dr Bertolet:
For me, the takeaway is simple: identify the patients who remain above their LDL-C target early, act without delay, and choose an approach that works for your patients.
Dr Sandroni:
LDL-C lowering in patients with ASCVD with or without a previous event isn’t just about starting therapy—it’s about making the plan stick.
This is the real-world conversation we have every day in our clinic and it's one you need to have with your patients to help them reach their LDL-C targets.
Dr Bertolet:
Watch the video to hear our experience with LEQVIO.
References:
- Leqvio. Prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
- Blumenthal RS, Morris PB, Gaudino M, et al. 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2026;153(17):e1154–e1276.
- Data on file. LEQVIO coverage and affordability. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2025.
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