Foundational Therapy Approaches to Mitigate Long-Term CRM Complications

In this episode, ‘Foundational Therapy Approaches to Mitigate Long-Term CRM Complications,’ the expert cardiologist explored the following questions:

MASLD/MASH is strongly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, with obesity increasing MASLD risk dramatically. What are the key unmet treatment needs across MASH populations?

What is the role of foundational therapy approaches in reducing long-term CRM complications?

The panelist examined the rising prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), noting the critical need for systematic screening using FIB-4 scores and liver elastography. Ian Neeland discussed how foundational care must shift toward a holistic cardiometabolic approach that prioritizes lifestyle modification and behavioral changes alongside guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). He highlighted the essential role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (nsMRAs) in reducing morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the conversation addressed the importance of overcoming clinical inertia to ensure these life-prolonging therapies are initiated and maintained early in the disease course.

Throughout the conversation, the expert provided a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

The next episode in this series, ‘From Reactive to Proactive: Evolving Health Systems for CRM Management,’ features the panelists advancing their conversation on cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) syndrome and focusing on the potential of combination therapies and the transition of health systems toward proactive, population-based care models.