The anti-ischemic and anti-anginal properties of statins.
Angina pectoris resulting from myocardial ischemia afflicts half of all patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Chronic angina remains a major public health burden despite state-of-the-art therapies, and improvement in survival from myocardial infarction and CHD has only increased its prevalence. There is growing experimental and clinical evidence pointing to the anti-ischemic and anti-anginal properties of statins. Some data suggest that the degree of anti-ischemic efficacy of statins may be comparable to the current standard pharmacologic and mechanical strategies. The pleiotropic effects of statins are postulated to be primarily responsible for their anti-ischemic and anti-anginal properties. These include improvement of endothelial function, enhancement of the ischemic vasodilatory response, modulation of inflammation, and protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The anti-ischemic effects of statins further strengthen their role as a crucial component of the optimal medical therapy for CHD.
Division of Cardiology, Fresno Medical Education Program, University of California - San Francisco, 155 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93301, USA.
Joel A
JA
Lardizabal
Prakash C
PC
Deedwania
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL