Statin loading in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes: a new pleiotropic effect?
Intensive statin treatment has proved beneficial in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, this benefit may apply only to those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Loading, preloading or reloading with high dose(s) of a statin may decrease major adverse cardiac events, revascularization of both target and non-target vessels as well as myocardial necrosis after PCI. It seems that different actions of statins are responsible for their protective role in target vessel and non-target vessel revascularization procedures. This editorial discusses the results of statin loading trials and comments on the possible mechanisms involved.
Athyros
Vasilios G
VG
Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tziomalos
Konstantinos
K
Florentin
Matilda
M
Karagiannis
Asterios
A
Mikhailidis
Dimitri P
DP
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054318:No-Reflow Phenomenon / Q000517:prevention & control
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors