Key result
Inclisiran linked to ~4.6 mm3 reduction in low-density non-calcified plaque over 15 months.
Why the study?
Does inclisiran initiation alter coronary plaque composition assessed by CCTA in treated patients?
Observational (n=215)
Does inclisiran initiation alter coronary plaque composition assessed by CCTA in treated patients?
Inclisiran initiation is associated with favorable changes in coronary plaque composition, including a reduction in low-density non-calcified plaque and an increase in calcified plaque over 15 months.
Background/Objectives: Inclisiran provides durable low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, but serial coronary plaque composition after treatment initiation remains incompletely characterized. This study evaluated temporal plaque changes using automated coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods: In this uncontrolled, retrospective, observational pilot study, consecutive patients who initiated inclisiran between 1 January 2024 and 29 April 2026 were screened. A random-intercept mixed-effects model included every eligible quantitative plaque observation obtained by the prespecified data cutoff. Results: Of the 230 screened patients, 215 contributed 468 plaque observations (baseline, n = 186; 3 months, n = 196; 15 months, n = 86); 74 had all three examinations. The LDL-C levels decreased from 117.4 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], 113.3–121.6) to 45.9 mg/dL (39.5–52.3) at 15 months. No significant time effect was detected for the total plaque volume (p = 0.713). Low-density non-calcified plaque (LDNC) decreased from 27.3 mm3 (23.1–31.6) to 22.7 mm3 (18.0–27.4; overall p = 0.0035), whereas calcified plaque increased from 56.5 mm3 (45.6–67.3) to 67.1 mm3 (55.9–78.2; p < 0.0001). The adjusted baseline-to-15-month differences were −4.64 mm3 for LDNC (95% CI, −7.54 to −1.74; Bonferroni-adjusted p = 0.0052) and +10.60 mm3 for calcified plaque (6.60–14.60; adjusted p < 0.0001). In the tube voltage-adjusted sensitivity analysis of 107 patients and 278 observations, these findings were maintained. Conclusions: Patients initiating inclisiran showed temporal changes in attenuation-defined plaque composition. The uncontrolled design, incomplete acquisition data in the expanded cohort, and technical variability preclude causal or histologic interpretation.
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Kawada et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Patients initiating inclisiran (n=215). Inclisiran was evaluated on Change in low-density non-calcified plaque (LDNC) volume from baseline to 15 months (MD -4.64 mm3, 95% CI -7.54 to -1.74, p=0.0052). Initiation of inclisiran was associated with a 4.64 mm3 reduction in low-density non-calcified plaque volume (95% CI, -7.54 to -1.74; P=0.0052) over 15 months.
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