Simvastatin and ezetimibe in addition to nonpharmacological risk factor modification for achieving new low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets

Liska, Branislav; Khattab, Ahmed A; Herrmann, Lutz; Abdel-Wahab, Mohamed; Westphal, Ronja; Tölg, Ralph; Geist, Volker; Richardt, Gert (2008). Simvastatin and ezetimibe in addition to nonpharmacological risk factor modification for achieving new low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets. Herz, 33(5), pp. 362-7. München: Springer-Medizin-Verlag 10.1007/s00059-008-3084-6

[img]
Preview
Text
s00059-008-3084-6.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (296kB) | Preview

BACKGROUND: Though guidelines emphasize low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering as an essential strategy for cardiovascular risk reduction, achieving target levels may be difficult. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective, controlled, open-label trial examining the effectiveness and safety of high-dose fluvastatin or a standard dosage of simvastatin plus ezetimibe, both with an intensive guideline-oriented cardiac rehabilitation program, in achieving the new ATP III LDL-C targets in patients with proven coronary artery disease. 305 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: the simvastatin (40 mg/d) plus ezetimibe (10 mg/d) and the fluvastatin-only group (80 mg/d). Patients in both study groups received the treatment for 21 days in addition to nonpharmacological measures, including advanced physical, dietary, psychosocial, and educational activities. RESULTS: After 21 days of treatment, a significant reduction in LDL-C was found in both study groups as compared to the initial values, however, the reduction in LDL-C was significantly stronger in the simvastatin plus ezetimibe group: simvastatin plus ezetimibe treatment decreased LDL-C to a mean level of 57.7 +/- 1.7 mg/ml, while fluvastatin achieved a reduction to 84.1 +/- 2.4 mg/ml (p < 0.001). In the simvastatin plus ezetimibe group, 95% of the patients reached the target level of LDL-C < 100 mg/dl. This percentage was significantly higher than in patients treated with fluvastatin alone (75%; p < 0.001). The greater effectiveness of simvastatin plus ezetimibe was more impressive when considering the optional goal of LDL-C < 70 mg/dl (75% vs. 32%, respectively; p < 0.001). There was no difference in occurrence of adverse events between both groups. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin 40 mg/d plus ezetimibe 10 mg/d, on the background of a guideline-oriented standardized intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, can reach 95% effectiveness in achieving challenging goals (LDL < 100 mg/dl) using lipid-lowering medication in patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Cardiovascular Disorders (DHGE) > Clinic of Cardiology

UniBE Contributor:

Khattab, Ahmed Aziz

ISSN:

0340-9937

ISBN:

18773156

Publisher:

Springer-Medizin-Verlag

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 15:02

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:19

Publisher DOI:

10.1007/s00059-008-3084-6

PubMed ID:

18773156

Web of Science ID:

000258535100005

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/26971

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/26971 (FactScience: 99323)

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback