Novartis Lunch Symposium: Lower, Longer, Earlier: Easy in Theory, Harder in Practice - Implementing Better LDL-C Care in ASCVD
| Friday, August 7, 2026 |
| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM |
Details
Despite clear guideline recommendations and the availability of effective lipid-lowering therapies, many Australians with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remain above recommended LDL-C targets. This symposium will explore the gap between evidence and implementation, examining the real-world barriers that continue to limit optimal LDL-C management, including treatment adherence, clinical inertia, statin intolerance and access to appropriate therapy.
Led by Chair A/Prof Karam Kostner, the session will review contemporary approaches to lipid-lowering therapy, including real-world treatment patterns, persistence with PCSK9-targeted therapies and factors influencing patient engagement and long-term treatment success. Speakers will also discuss innovative models of care designed to improve access to cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management, alongside practical examples of implementation in Australian clinical practice.
Professor Len Kritharides will explore emerging models of care and discuss opportunities to better identify and manage patients who remain at high risk despite not meeting current reimbursement criteria. Dr Kathryn Waddell-Smith will focus on familial hypercholesterolaemia, highlighting the importance of earlier identification, genetic cardiology services and cascade screening in the evolving management of FH.
The session will conclude with a panel discussion examining innovative approaches to specialist cardiovascular care and the practical steps needed to translate evidence into better LDL-C outcomes for patients.
Speaker
Prof Len Kritharides
Cardiologist
University of Sydney / Concord Hospital
Lower, Longer, Earlier: Easy in Theory, Harder in Practice - Implementing Better LDL-C Care in ASCVD
12:30 PM - 1:30 PMBiography
Len Kritharides is Senior Staff Specialist Cardiologist Concord Hospital Sydney, Head of the Atherosclerosis Laboratory at the ANZAC Research Institute, Professor in Medicine at the University of Sydney, and Clinical Director of the Cardiac Services Stream, Sydney Local Health District.
He trained in Cardiology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, completing a PhD and Post-Doctoral Studies in cell biology and lipoprotein biochemistry at the Heart Research Institute University of Sydney, and the Medical College of Philadelphia USA. He is an academic general cardiologist with clinical and research interests in preventing and treating heart disease in at risk populations, including patients with hyperlipidaemia, cancer and myotonic dystrophy. He has published widely on cellular cholesterol metabolism, lipoprotein biochemistry, platelet activation and clinical cardiovascular outcomes.
Previous appointments include Director of Cardiology Concord Hospital Sydney, Chair of the Advanced Training Committee in Cardiology RACP, Chair of the Scientific Committee Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ), Board Member and Chair of the Cardiovascular Health and Advisory Committee and Scientific Strategy Committee of National Heart Foundation of Australia (NHF), and President of the CSANZ.
A.Prof Karam Kostner
"Lower, longer, earlier: easy in theory, harder in practice Topic: Implementation for better care in ASCVD"
12:30 PM - 1:30 PMBiography
A/Professor Karam Kostner is Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland and Director of Cardiology at Mater Hospital Brisbane. A/Professor Kostner’s clinical interest is preventative cardiology and lipid disorders. He has also been actively involved in cardiovascular research for fifteen years, mainly in the area of lipoproteins, lipid lowering and atherosclerosis. Having published approximately 90 peer reviewed papers, four book chapters and several review articles and editorials, A/Professor Kostner has also given numerous invited lectures at cardiovascular meetings and is secretary of the Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ, Queensland branch.
Dr Kathryn Waddell-Smith
"Lower, longer, earlier: easy in theory, harder in practice Topic: Implementation for better care in ASCVD"
12:30 PM - 1:30 PMBiography
Kathryn Waddell-Smith is South Australia’s genetic cardiologist. She also runs the State Paediatric Lipid Clinic at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and an adult Lipid Clinic at Flinders Medical Centre. Kathryn is a member of the Australian Atherosclerosis Society Clinical Council.
