Despite tremendous progress in study of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and the subsequent development of innovative preventive therapies, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) continues to be the leading cause of death and disability worldwide [1]. In 2019, the Global Burden of Disease Collaboration [1] provided a concerning picture regarding the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the world's population: globally, CVD affects >523 million individuals and causes approximately 1.8 million deaths each year, of which >85 % are due to ASCVD.
