In a post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial enrolling 13, 970 participants in 32 countries, treatment with Bempedoic acid, 180 mg daily, was associated with a significantly lower incidence of venous thromboembolism compared with placebo.
I take 180 mg BA, along with 10 Ez, and 5 mg EOD rosuvastatin to reduce Apo(b). I have not experienced any side effects in ~2 years I have been taking it.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2849617
Nice find, @RobTuck! BA is still relatively newish, so we donāt have as large numbers of users to data mine in clinical use compared to statins. I therefore keep an eye out for any BA associated results (especially interested as a user of BA myself). Itās always interesting to compare to statin effects, being upstream in the chain.
This however, is in statin intolerant patients. The question becomes - what is the impact of BA for statin tolerant patients and if the benefits stack for users of both BA and statins (my case). Because the impact of statins on VTB is somewhat equivocal with heterogenous studies.
Statins for the primary prevention of venous thromboembolism
āUsing statins for the primary prevention of VTE may slightly reduce the incidence of VTE and allācause mortality. However, this effect is likely too weak to be considered significant. Statin use may not decrease the occurrence of DVT and PE. The current evidence is insufficient to draw strong conclusions because of the risk of bias in the studies, imprecision in the effect estimates, and potential publication bias. More evidence from well conducted and fully reported RCTs is needed to assess the preventive effects of different types of statins, as well as the effects of different dosages and treatment durations in various populations.ā
Meanwhile, below is a newer analysis, and note the previous study referenced the need to āassess the preventive effects of different types of statins, as well as the effects of different dosages and treatment durationsā - well, this one looked at rosuvastatin:
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism with Statins: Evidence Gathered via a Network Meta-analysis
āRosuvastatin is significantly reduces the risk of VTE when compared with a placebo, other statin subtypes, and fibrate. Furthermore, fenofibrate increased the VTE risk when compared with a placebo and statins.ā
And similarly to primary vs secondary, thereās an older paper on the impact of statins on the risk of recurrent embolisms:
Statin treatment and risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort study
āStatin use was associated with a decreased risk of recurrent VTE.ā
I agree, broadly, the generalizations from the study are limited. For those of us depending on BA, however, it may be a heartening finding. Robust in a very limited way.
When I initiated BA, I was concerned about the side effects. Tendon rupture and hyperuricemia were at the top of the list and Iām still mindful to work up slowly on calf raises with high weight and avoid sudden changes in load.
I apologize for the error in the title. I thought I pasted in the heading in an email I received from JAMA. The actual title teased and did not give away the finding.