Coronary disease & ACSCohort study

Lipid Profiles and Lipid-Lowering Therapy at the Time of Acute Myocardial Infarction

JACC AdvPublished

  • retrospective

Authors' conclusion

In a contemporary AMI cohort, ∼2 in 3 patients presenting with a new ASCVD diagnosis were not previously on a statin, and nearly all had LDL-C ≥55 mg/dL. Among AMI patients with known ASCVD, ∼1 in 4 were not on a statin, and ∼4 in 5 had LDL ≥55 mg/dL. Combination LLT remained low at presentation and discharge despite suboptimal LDL-C, underscoring actionable gaps in ASCVD management.

Study context

Population
Patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from March 2018 to August 2022No prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) diagnosis 1,159 · Prior ASCVD 689
Participants
1,159 vs 689
Exposure
No prior ASCVD diagnosis vs Prior ASCVD
  • No prior ASCVD diagnosisn = 1,159
  • Prior ASCVDn = 689

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

LDL-C levels and LLT use at presentation · prior to admission

LDL-C ≥55 mg/dL

LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL

OutcomeNo prior ASCVD diagnosisPrior ASCVD
On outpatient statin therapy33.6%Not reported in the abstract
Previously on statinsNot reported in the abstract73.7%
On combination LLTNot reported in the abstract3.9%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Statin eligibility in the 2026 U.S. dyslipidemia guideline (no prior ASCVD, not taking LLT, aged 18 to 79 years with available risk data)

Met statin eligibility
89.0%

LLT at discharge, all AMI patients

Discharged on statins
94.0%
With high intensity (of those discharged on statins)
81.8%
Discharged with combination LLT
5.0%

LLT intensification at discharge (prior ASCVD and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥55 mg/dL)

Increase in statin intensity
24.9%
Received combination LLT
7.2%
No LLT intensification
47.0%

Original publication

Lipid Profiles and Lipid-Lowering Therapy at the Time of Acute Myocardial Infarction. JACC Adv. Published 14 August 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.103129

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it