Cardiologia Croatica, Vol. 12 No. 9-10, 2017.
Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2017.396
The Role of Rosuvastatin in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events and Influence on Patient Compliance
Diana Rudan
; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world with hyperlipidemia being one of the most important risk factors in their development. Therefore, numerous randomized controlled trials conducted, showed decrease morbidity and mortality from adverse cardiovascular events by effective lipid reduction. Statins are the most effective medications used in treatment of hyperlipidemia. Rosuvastatin represents a “new generation” statin. It is a synthetic statin that inhibits the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and therefore reducing the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol. The major effect of rosuvastatin is the reduction of LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the blood. It is the only statin that has been shown to increase the levels of HDL-cholesterol up to 15%. The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-thrombotic effects of the drug were demonstrated in various studies, causing further decrease in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, that effect is beyond the one described only by the reduction in total cholesterol levels. The most common side-effect of statin treatment is myalgia, causing the non-adherence and discontinuation of the medication, leading to “alternative” drug treatment. However, the approach of alternative drug treatment often showed itself to be ineffective solution. Since treating hyperlipidemia is crucial in reducing cardiovascular risk, the importance of adherence to treatment, and achieving patient compliance to statin therapy must be emphasized. Rosuvastatin is available in 6 different doses from 5 to 40 mg, allowing the physician to adjust the dose of medication according to the patient’s needs, to maintain highest treatment effect while reducing unwanted side-effects at the minimum.
Keywords
rosuvastatin; prevention; cardiovascular diseases
Hrčak ID:
188288
URI
Publication date:
13.10.2017.
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