These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Statins and LDL-cholesterol lowering: an overview.
    Author: Stroes E.
    Journal: Curr Med Res Opin; 2005; 21 Suppl 6():S9-16. PubMed ID: 16138936.
    Abstract:
    Statins have become a cornerstone of treatment for dyslipidaemia primarily due to their marked lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Studies show that statin treatment typically reduces relative risk of cardiovascular disease by 24-37%, regardless of age, sex, prior history of coronary heart disease (CHD), or other co-morbid conditions. There is also a growing body of evidence that statins can be effective in people whose LDL-C is not considered elevated under current guidelines. In both the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) and the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS), participants randomised to atorvastatin (10 mg/day) experienced at least a one-third reduction in major cardiovascular events, even though at baseline, their LDL-C was within the normal range. Other studies have also provided evidence that more intensive lipid-lowering regimens could provide additional clinical benefits. In the Reversal of Atherosclerosis with Aggressive Lipid Lowering (REVERSAL) trial, the first active-control clinical trial of CHD progression, an intensive lipid-lowering regimen using atorvastatin (80 mg/day) decreased atherogenic lipoproteins and atheroma volume in patients with established CHD, compared with a moderate regimen using pravastatin (40 mg/day). Furthermore, relative to baseline, there was no measurable atheroma progression in the atorvastatin group. While statin therapy does offer significant clinical benefit, 60-70% of major cardiovascular events are still not prevented, which underscores the need for alternative interventions. Targeting inflammatory mediators of atherosclerosis such as C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as combination therapy to simultaneously raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lower LDL-C, are among the promising new strategies for primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease. This article will summarise data concerning use of statins in patients without markedly elevated LDL-C. The issue of the ideal LDL-C target will also be considered before addressing future treatment options for dyslipidaemia.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]