Advancing Cardiac Care Unit-based Rapid Assessment and Treatment of hypErcholesterolemia (ACCURATE)

Health Research BC is providing match funds for the Master’s Studentship 2023 Award, supported by the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training Platform (CANTRAIN). As part of my work, I will be conducting the Advancing Cardiac Care Unit-based Rapid Assessment and Treatment of hypErcholesterolemia (ACCURATE) study. The ACCURATE, BC-based study is also funded by Genome British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI).  

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common genetic diseases, affecting 1 in 250 individuals and elevating the risk of early onset heart disease. About 1 in 14 individuals who have a heart attack under 60 years old have FH, but 99% of them were not aware of it before their heart attack. In British Columbia, over 85% of individuals with FH remain undiagnosed due to the lack of genetic testing, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention.  

The ACCURATE study aims to investigate how genetic testing for patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can improve the diagnosis of FH, influence physicians’ treatment approaches, patients’ medication use, and ultimately reduce the disease burden for these patients.  

The outcomes will contribute to understanding how genetic diagnosis influences patient care in acute cardiac settings, with the hope of influencing healthcare practices in the entire province. This will improve the health of British Columbians and enhance the reputation of BC as a leader in genomic clinical care.