Review article

The importance of intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol – the role of "potent" statins

Željko Reiner ; University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Increased LDL cholesterol is the main risk factor for cardiovascular (CVD) diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). The treatment of choice for elevated LDL cholesterol are statins. Large clinical trials have shown that lowering of LDL cholesterol is crucial for prevention of CVD and that there is no lower threshold for benefits of such lowering. This is particularly important in secondary prevention, i.e. in patients with CHD, MI, transitory ischaemic attacks (TIA), stroke, in those with atherosclerotic changes of carotic or periphery ateries and in diabetic patients. However, approximately 50% of patients with CVD still do not attain LDL cholesterol goals according to the guidelines despite the use of statin therapy. Therefore, the use of more potent statins which produce greater reductions of LDL cholesterol when compared with other agents in this class might be a solution. Rosuvastatin, being the most potent statin on Croatian market, provides additional benefits in the lipid profile apart from strongest LDL cholesterol lowering such as increasing HDL cholesterol and decreasing triglycerides, decreasing hsCRP, as well as reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism and preserving renal function. Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy with more potent statins can significantly reduce the lipid content of the atherosclerotic plaques which implies that they may be able to stabilize plaques. This can additionally explain their efficacy in reducing fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events.

Keywords

LDL cholesterol; HDL cholesterol; triglycerides; myocardial infarction; coronary heart disease; statins

Hrčak ID:

84706

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/84706

Publication date:

21.6.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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