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PCSK9 Drug Cuts Cholesterol 50% in Heart Transplant Patients

New study shows PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab reduces LDL cholesterol by over 50% in heart transplant patients but doesn't prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy development.

This research matters because heart transplant patients face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular complications, with cardiac allograft vasculopathy being the leading cause of death post-transplant. The study demonstrates that while PCSK9 inhibitors can achieve dramatic cholesterol reduction in this vulnerable population, they may not address the underlying vascular changes that threaten transplant survival. This highlights the need for more comprehensive approaches to post-transplant care and suggests that cholesterol management alone may not be sufficient to prevent the most serious complications. For the millions affected by cardiovascular disease and the thousands awaiting or living with heart transplants, these findings represent both progress in cholesterol control and a sobering reminder that more research is needed to protect transplanted hearts long-term.