A review of high-dose statin therapy: targeting cholesterol and inflammation in atherosclerosis.

Abstract

Lipid lowering with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or 'statins' has dramatically reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Recently, there have been multiple studies investigating the role of high-dose statin therapy with more aggressive lipid lowering in this setting. Concomitantly, there is increasing evidence implicating a role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These high-dose statin trials and other studies have also provided a wealth of data suggesting that statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that go beyond their lipid-lowering effects. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of recent, large-scale, randomized, placebo and active controlled trials of high-dose statin therapy in the setting of stable and unstable coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention. Further, we will discuss the evidence for effects of high-dose statin therapy on inflammation and C-reactive protein.

• Authors: Taral N Patel, Mehdi H Shishehbor, Deepak L Bhatt
• Journal: European heart journal (Eur Heart J) Vol. 28 Issue 6 Pg. 664-72 (Mar 2007) ISSN: 0195-668X [Print] England
• PMID: 17242008 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Cholesterol, HDL
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Arteritis (drug therapy)
• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Coronary Artery Disease (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Hypercholesterolemia (drug therapy)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic