According to the ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines, what is the intervention for patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?

Patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are recommended to be treated with high-intensity statin therapy according to the ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines. The rationale behind this recommendation is to significantly reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, in individuals who have already exhibited signs of heart disease. High-intensity statins can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by at least 50%, which has been shown to provide a substantial benefit in preventing the progression of atherosclerotic disease and improving patient outcomes.

In the context of other interventions like moderate or low-intensity statins, while they may be considered in patients who cannot tolerate high-intensity statins or have specific contraindications, they do not offer the same degree of risk reduction. Additionally, not treating patients at all could leave them vulnerable to the adverse effects of their established ASCVD, which is why "no treatment required" is not an acceptable option in this scenario. The guidelines emphasize the importance of aggressive lipid-lowering strategies in patients with established ASCVD to maximize the potential for long-term health improvements.