title: Statin therapy in cardiovascular diseases other than atherosclerosis.
abstract: Statins are drugs that inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, thereby blocking the synthesis of cholesterol. Since being discovered in Japan in the mid 1970s, statins have been widely used to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, analysis of cardiovascular research has revealed other important effects beyond changes in lipid parameters, referred to as pleiotropic effects. This paper focuses on the effects of statins as anti-ischemic agents with improvement in endothelial function, along with studies on valvular aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and cancer. As the evolution of statin research continues, there appear to be new potential benefits from statins to be found in many facets of cardiovascular disease.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beaudry
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wetherold
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hemphill
authors.forename: Dat
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McClish
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chilton
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors