This video provides information about a novel pharmaceutical method PCSK9 injections that can be used to reduce the risks of familial hypercholesterolemia. The video outlines the mechanisms, benefits and costs, as depicted in scientific literature, of PCSK9 use in individuals who need to manage their cholesterol. The video does not intend to promote any specific PCSK9 inhibitors and acts to compare PCSK9 inhibitors to other treatment options, such as statins.

The Demystifying Medicine channel does not seek to provide any medical advice and simply serves as an educational platform. Please always speak to your doctor about your treatment options to best tailor your unique healthcare needs. Disclaimer: This video is inspired by, but not affiliated with, CrashCourse

This video was created by McMaster University Demystifying Medicine students Cassandra McDonald, Sana Rashid, Khashayar Poorzargar and Alexander Ognjanovic.

Copyright McMaster University 2020

References:

Fala, L. (2016). Repatha (Evolocumab): second PCSK9 inhibitor approved by the FDA for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. American Health & Drug Benefits, 9, 136. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Paquette, M., & Baass, A. (2018). A novel cause of familial hypercholesterolemia: PCSK9 gene duplication. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 34(10), 1259–1260. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.08.027

Sabatine, M. S., Ferrari, G. M. D., Giugliano, R. P., Huber, K., Lewis, B. S., Ferreira, J., …Pedersen, T. R. (2018). Clinical benefit of evolocumab by severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Circulation, 138(8), 756–766. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.034309

Stroes, E., Colquhoun, D., Sullivan, D., Civeira, F., Rosenson, R. S., Watts, G. F., ... & Xue, A. (2014). AntiPCSK9 antibody effectively lowers cholesterol in patients with statin intolerance: the GAUSS2 randomized, placebocontrolled phase 3 clinical trial of evolocumab. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 63(23), 25412548. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.03.019

Watson, K. E. (2019). Pitavastatin: the newest HMGCoA reductase inhibitor. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11(1), 2632. doi:10.3909/ricm0535

Whayne, T. F. (2008). A viewpoint on statin effects–benefits and problems. International Journal of Angiology, 17(4), 178180. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Zimmerman, M. P. (2015). How do PCSK9 inhibitors stack up to statins for lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol control? American Health & Drug Benefits, 8(8), 436. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...