Samuel Levine Young Investigator Award Presentation: Feasibility of a Polypill Approach for Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome

After a heart attack, patients need to take several medications daily, including antiplatelet agents and cholesterol-lowering drugs, to prevent another myocardial infarction (MI). However, about one-third of patients stop taking these critical medications within a few months, which significantly increases their risk of future cardiovascular events. This challenge is particularly pronounced among patients facing financial hardships or other social barriers. In a study we presented at #AHA25, we evaluated whether combining three essential post-MI medications into a single daily "polypill" could simplify treatment and improve adherence. Dr. Keshvani presented the primary trial findings as a finalist for the Samuel Levine Young Investigator Award for Research in Clinical Cardiology. The study enrolled 140 patients from diverse, predominantly underserved communities in Dallas shortly after they had been treated with a coronary stent.

At 30-day follow-up, the study demonstrated that combining aspirin, a high-intensity statin, and a P2Y12 inhibitor into a single pill was safe and feasible. Patients taking the polypill showed a reduction in LDL cholesterol, while those on usual care [RR1] did not, though the difference between groups was not statistically significant at this early timepoint. Both groups maintained adequate blood-thinning effects and reported similar quality of life and satisfaction.

Importantly, this is the first study to test a polypill containing blood thinners in the immediate period after an MI – when patients are most vulnerable and medication adherence is most critical. Because adherence tends to worsen over time, we are now conducting a larger, longer-term study to determine whether this simplified approach can reduce future heart attacks and hospitalizations.