Date & Time of Session - 9/28/26 - from 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Overview
In March 2026, the ACC/AHA and nine collaborating societies released the first comprehensive update to lipid management guidance in eight years, replacing the 2018 Blood Cholesterol Guideline. The update replaces the Pooled Cohort Equations with the PREVENT-ASCVD risk calculator, extends risk assessment to age 30, lowers the thresholds that prompt statin therapy discussions, and establishes two new statin-eligible populations independent of calculated risk: patients with stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease and individuals living with HIV. The guideline also restores explicit LDL-C and non-HDL-C treatment goals and updates recommendations for non statin therapy, including bempedoic acid, PCSK9 inhibitors, and inclisiran.

A JAMA analysis published July 20, 2026 estimates these changes expand statin eligibility to 87.5 million U.S. adults, including 21.5 million newly eligible individuals who are, on average, younger and lower-risk than the population previously captured under the 2018 guideline. This shift carries direct implications for ambulatory care pharmacy practice at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, where pharmacists already lead ASCVD risk assessment, adherence counseling, and therapy optimization. The transition from PCE to PREVENT will require workflow and patient education updates across primary care and cardiology, and the expanded eligible population
represents a clear opportunity for pharmacist-driven risk assessment and follow-up. Statin intolerance affects an estimated 10% of patients on maximum-dose therapy, making the guideline's updated intolerance management pathway immediately relevant to ambulatory care practice. Pharmacists are well positioned to lead rechallenge strategies and evidence-based non statin selection for this population. This topic supports organizational quality metrics around ASCVD risk reduction and statin use in diabetes and ASCVD populations, and aligns with broader institutional priorities around chronic disease management and expanding pharmacist led clinical services.
 

Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
1. Describe how the shift from Pooled Cohort Equations to PREVENT-ASCVD changes primary-prevention statin eligibility.
2. Identify the reintroduced LDL-C and non-HDL-C treatment goals for each major benefit group.
3. Summarize the landmark trials supporting expanded non-statin therapy and the new risk-independent indications for CKD and HIV.
4. Apply the statin-intolerance algorithm to select an evidence-based non-statin agent.

Target Audience
Free 1 credit hour of Continuing Education for St Elizabeth Health Care providers, Pharmacists, Residents and Students

Special Services
If you require special assistance to attend this event, please call Deanna Fliehman at (859) 301-6191

Speaker
Veronica Butts, PharmD
PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident
St Elizabeth Healthcare - Edgewood, Kentucky