Effect of early statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes: a concise review of the recent data.
HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors(statins) have been shown, in three large randomized trials, to decrease adverse cardiac events in patients with clinically evident coronary artery disease. All of these trials have excluded patients with an acute coronary syndrome within the three months prior to enrollment. Statin therapy is thought to stabilize coronary plaque and decrease the risk of plaque rupture. Statins have been shown to quickly reduce levels of LDL-C in addition to altering systemic inflammatory responses, improving endothelial function, and reducing platelet aggregation and activation. These mechanisms are potentially beneficial in the setting of acute coronary syndromes, a time of profound plaque instability. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the early initiation of statin therapy in the setting of acute coronary syndromes. This paper reviews the available data from randomized-controlled trials and observational studies evaluating the effect of early statin initiation during, or soon following, an acute coronary syndrome.
Bybee
Kevin A
KA
Instructor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, and Fellow in Cardiovascular Diseases, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA.
Wright
R Scott
RS
Kopecky
Stephen L
SL
D000208:Acute Disease; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors