Enhancing Risk Stratification with Coronary Calcium Scoring and Lp(a

In Enhancing Risk Stratification with Coronary Calcium Scoring and Lp(a), our panel delve into the following critical questions:

What is the role of coronary calcium scoring?

What is the role of Lp(a) in your practice?

What are the key updates in the new guidelines?

Led by the moderator, Drs. Saseen, Cheeley, and Jurga discuss coronary artery calcium scoring, which plays an important role in refining cardiovascular risk assessment, particularly in intermediate-risk patients, by identifying subclinical atherosclerosis and guiding decisions around initiating or intensifying lipid-lowering therapy. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and its measurement can help identify patients with elevated residual risk who may benefit from more aggressive management. Recent guideline updates emphasize lower LDL-C targets, earlier intervention in high-risk populations, and broader use of non-statin therapies to achieve optimal risk reduction. Together, these advances support a more personalized and proactive approach to cardiovascular prevention and management.

Throughout the conversation, the experts provide a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

Our next episode, Optimizing Post-ACS Management and Emerging LDL-C Lowering Strategies, further explores best practices for managing patients following a recent acute coronary syndrome, with a focus on rapid and sustained LDL-C reduction to prevent recurrent events. It also reviews the V-INITIATE trial evaluating inclisiran, highlighting its findings and potential implications for real-world clinical practice.