Should we treat all primary prevention patients with statins?
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutary coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have been shown to reduce cardiac events in different high-risk and medium-risk patient groups. Although there are other medications to lower cholesterol, evidence that these agents will provide protection from initial cardiac events is limited or does not exist. Also, although many physicians advocate combining second agents with statins to improve certain lipid fractions, evidence of improved reduction of initial cardiac events from these combinations is also lacking. Therefore, aggressive use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors remains the proven treatment to treat lipid abnormalities in primary patients.
Guthrie
Robert
R
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA. guthrie.1@osu.edu
D001384:Azetidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001384:Azetidines; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D009525:Niacin; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069438:Ezetimibe