title: Benefit and tolerability of the coadministration of ezetimibe and atorvastatin in acute coronary syndrome patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of ezetimibe-statin combination on inflammatory markers in acute coronary syndrome is unknown. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of this combination on the lipid profile, the CRP hs and the sCD40 ligand levels in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a randomized, double-blind study including 93 patients admitted for ACS randomized in 2 groups, ezetimibe 10 mg + atorvastatin 10 mg vs atorvastatin 20 mg + placebo, for 12 weeks follow-up; blood samples were collected for lipid profile, ALT, AST, CRP and sCD40L at baseline, 12 hours, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in total cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL, CRP, but there was a significant decrease in sCD40L levels in the ezetimibe combination group, with less side effects in the combination group, mainly myalgia (p = 0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ezetimibe combination with low dose statin in patients in acute coronary syndrome could be a safe, potent therapy to reduce LDL level with antiinflammatory effect.
authors.affiliation: Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. mdrighabh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Righab
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamdan
authors.forename: Fouad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hajj
authors.forename: Zeina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kadry
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kassab
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salame
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aboujaoude
authors.forename: Rabih
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Badaoui
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001384:Azetidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D000069438:Ezetimibe