Icosapent ethyl for dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease: Act now to reduce it

The risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) can be significantly reduced in patients with diabetes who are undergoing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-reducing therapies. However, the elevated triglyceride levels seen in diabetic dyslipidaemia can contribute to residual ASCVD risk. Icosapent ethyl (IPE) has recently been shown to substantially reduce major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridaemia who are undergoing statin therapy. In a real-world study of patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 17.1% were found to be eligible for treatment with IPE based on Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) criteria. A significant proportion of patients with diabetes and ACS merit receiving IPE therapy, with important implications for evolving clinical practice guidelines and best standard of care.