Aim: The prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease has risen in Japan due to increasing metabolic risk factors, including dyslipidemia. A positive linear correlation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, incidence of CV events, and preventive effects of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is well established; however, data in Japan are limited. This analysis evaluated current lipid management practices and risk of recurrent CV events in Japanese post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

Methods: EXPLORE-J is a multicenter, 2-year observational study of hospitalized ACS patients in Japan.

Results: At 2-year follow-up (n=1944, mean age 66 years, 80.3% male), the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death associated with myocardial infarction/cerebrovascular accident [CVA] and other CV death, non-fatal ACS, and non-fatal CVA requiring hospitalization during the observation period) was 6.2%; respective incidences of CV death, non-fatal ACS, and CVA were 0.7%, 4.5%, and 1.7%. Statin, intensive statin, and ezetimibe were prescribed for 93.6%, 8.2%, and 3.9% at visit (V)1 (Day[D]1＋14), and 92.3%, 10.5%, and 11.6% of patients at V5 (D730±30 days), respectively. Mean LDL-C was reduced from first post-ACS measurement (121.3 mg/dL) to V5 (79.8 mg/dL). A limited number of patients achieved LDL-C ＜70 mg/dL from V1–V5 (14.4%–34.6%); those with a greater LDL-C reduction by V1 had a lower probability of MACE, indicating the benefits of early LDL-C reduction post ACS.

Conclusions: Guideline-recommended LDL-C target achievement post ACS in Japan is suboptimal, suggesting the need for LLT intensification. Additional analyses by risk stratification of the study population and the benefits of lipid management are planned.