AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 – Late-breaker host Dr Harriette Van Spall (McMaster University, CA) is joined by Dr Erin A Bohula (Brigham & Women's Hospital, US) to discuss the primary results of the VESALIUS-CV trial, a large-scale, phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study sponsored by Amgen.

The VESALIUS-CV trial (NCT03872401) evaluated the impact of evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, on major cardiovascular events in adults at high cardiovascular risk but without prior myocardial infarction or stroke. Over 12,000 participants were enrolled across 852 global sites, making this one of the most comprehensive investigations into LDL-cholesterol lowering for primary prevention.

This pivotal study assessed whether adding evolocumab to optimal background therapy can further reduce the risk of first cardiovascular events—such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death—in patients with elevated LDL-C despite statin therapy. The findings provide new insights into the role of intensive lipid-lowering therapy for individuals without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but with high baseline risk.

Findings showed that patients achieved a median LCL-C of 45 mg/dL, and a 25% reduction in 3-P MACE. There was consistency across subgroups, including those with diabetes and no qualifying atherosclerosis. 

For more content from AHA 2025, visit the Late-breaking Science Video Collection.

Recorded on-site at AHA Scientific Sessions 2025, Chicago, USA.
Editor: Mirjam Boros & Jordan Rance.
Video Specialist: Tom Green & Mike Knight.

Support: This is an independent interview produced by Radcliffe Cardiology.