Researchers from Mass General Brigham have unveiled the results of a large clinical trial that found that adding the drug evolocumab to patients’ treatment significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in those who are at high risk. Results were presented today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

“The results of this trial offer hope for preventing a first heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event in patients who are at high risk,” said corresponding author Erin Bohula, MD, a cardiologist in the Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute. “Our findings reflect the promise of prevention strategies and reflect our ongoing commitment to conducting rigorous clinical trials to advance patient care with the goal of saving lives and improving quality of life.”

PCSK9 inhibitors, such as evolocumab, are designed to reduce LDL cholesterol, a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. Previous studies have found that PCSK9 inhibitors can prevent subsequent cardiovascular events in patients who have previously had a heart attack or stroke, but the current study—known as The Effect of EVolocumab in PatiEntS at High CArdiovascuLar RIsk WithoUt Prior Myocardial Infarction or Stroke (VESALIUS)-CV trial—is the first to study the drug’s preventive effects in people who have not previously had a heart attack or stroke.