title: Atorvastatin.
abstract: The introduction of statins has drastically changed the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease. By lowering lipid levels and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, these drugs are among the most effective at reducing morbidity and mortality available to clinical practice. In fact, these compounds have demonstrated the reversible nature of the process of atherosclerosis and can be considered the most useful drugs we currently have in our armamentarium in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae. Atorvastatin provides pronounced lipid lowering in a broad range of individuals with hypercholesterolaemia and, as such, is an appropriate first-line therapy for patients at low to high risk of coronary heart disease. Reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol achieved with atorvastatin have been shown to translate into reductions in risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both primary and secondary prevention settings. Significant clinical benefits have specifically been observed among patients with Type 2 diabetes and in those with acute coronary syndromes. In common with other members of the statin class, atorvastatin is well tolerated, and adverse events are generally mild and transient in nature. Despite the significant clinical benefits provided by atorvastatin, its full potential in the management of atherosclerotic disease has yet to be wholly explored; however, studies currently ongoing will answer many of the outstanding questions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sander I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: van Leuven
authors.forename: John J P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kastelein
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005544:Forecasting; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin