ASCVD remains a significant burden in the Australian population. Moreover, based on recent local data, it is clear that there are still opportunities to improve the management of this condition in Australia.
In collaboration with leading experts in the field, analysis of the gaps in management of cholesterol in Australia has been undertaken. Key areas identified include Lack of regular lipid testing in general practice, Limited access to full range of management tools, current therapies aren't achieving clinical guidelines and poor medication adherence.
To address these pain points, the ASCERTAIN study will implement a new model of care that has been co-created with leading cardiologists in Australia and feedback has been provided by a General Practitioner (GP) Advisory Committee.
As the primary purpose of this study is to assess the impact of a new model of care compared to usual care, Inclisiran and its approved Product Information will be made available in both arms to be used as per the treating physician's discretion. Participants taking part in this study will receive maximally tolerated statin and/or ezetimibe therapy with or without other LDL-C lowering therapies as per the treating physician's discretion.
The primary clinical question of interest is:
What is the effectiveness of a new model of care implementation strategy compared to usual care in patients who have not reached their LDL-target?
In the usual care arm:
1- The GPs will be educated on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines and Guideline Directed Management therapy (GDMT)
In the new model of care arm:
1. The GPs will be educated on the ESC guidelines and Guideline Directed Management therapy (GDMT).
2. The Participants enrolled in this arm will be receiving monthly short message service (SMS) messages with regards to regarding cardiovascular health and appointment reminders (low touch engagement nudges).
3. In addition, Participants will receive telephone-based support calls from a study nurse trained in motivational interviewing. These telephone calls will cover diet, exercise, medication, and where necessary smoking cessation. A summary of any recommendations will then be sent to the primary care physician via email or letter. However, ultimately the primary care physician is responsible for the management of their patient.
The study will include male and female participants ≥18 years of age with a history of ASCVD (coronary heart disease, ischaemic cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease) or ASCVD-risk equivalents who have elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L). A total of approximately 600 participants will be included in the study and will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio at approximately 20 sites across Australia.
For the purposes of defining the ASCVD-risk equivalent group, the Guidelines for the Management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (2023) in Australian adults will be used. As per these guidelines, the online calculator www.cvdcheck.org.au (which is based on the Framingham Risk Equation) will be used to calculate an individual's estimated 5-year absolute CVD risk. High risk corresponds to \>10% probability of CVD within the next 5 years.
Formal feasibility assessment will be completed by the Sponsor to ensure clinics are suitable for participation in the study.
Study sites may receive a list of patients who could qualify for the study. This list may be generated by a search of the practice database running a query for patients that satisfy the inclusion criteria. Alternatively, the sites may identify patients who could qualify for the study independently. The study sites will contact participants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) will be completed by the participant electronically. Participants will receive a link to the questionnaire via text message or email.
The analysis will be performed at the end of the study, after the data for all participants are available. Unless otherwise specified, all statistical tests will be conducted against a two-sided alternative hypothesis, employing a significance level of 0.05.
Efficacy, safety, and other data will be summarised. For continuous variables, summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, median, interquartile range, minimum, and maximum) at each time point and for change from baseline to each time point will be reported by study arm. For discrete variables, frequency counts and percentages at each time point will be reported by study arm.
