Statins

Statins – Treatment of Choice in Dyslipidaemia

Epidemiological and clinical studies have clearly established the link between elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.¹ This positive relationship is observed over a wide range of LDL-C levels, and it has been shown that the higher the LDL-C level, the greater the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.¹

Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are the most effective class of drugs in reducing LDL-C levels and have also been shown to be very effective in improving the overall lipid profiles in patients with dyslipidaemia. Key studies have shown that statins effectively:

• slow progression and even promote regression of atherosclerotic vascular lesions^2–7
• reduce coronary events in subjects with and without coronary heart disease (CHD)^8–14
• reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.^8–16

The benefits of statin therapy on morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease have also been demonstrated in patients with a wide range of LDL-C levels, including patients with LDL-C values at and below currently recommended LDL-C goals.^13,14

International guidelines formulated in recent years recommend that lowering elevated LDL-C is the primary target in the management of dyslipidaemia.^1,17,18 The guidelines facilitate assessment of risk and recommend LDL-C levels to be achieved with the aim of reducing cardiovascular risk and improving the treatment of patients with dyslipidaemia. However, it is clear that despite these guidelines and the availability of statins, significant numbers of patients are undertreated and fail to reach recommended guideline LDL-C goals.^19,20

Currently, there are six statins available: atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin and rosuvastatin (CRESTOR^TM).

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