Interv Akut Kardiol. 2003;2(3):133-136

HMG-CoA inhibitors and percutaneous coronary interventions

Ota Hlinomaz, Ladislav Groch

I. interní kardioangiologická klinika FN u sv. Anny v Brně

HMG-CoA inhibitors or statins are drugs with clearly proved reduction of major adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease. Beyond lowering lipids, statins have favourable effects on endothelial function, inflammation, plaque stability, platelet adhesion and thrombosis.

Statins do not reduce angiographic restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The LIPS trial showed improvement of outcome of patients after PCI treated with statin. The recent trials observe the positive role of pretreatment with statins before PCI.

Statins should be administered to every patient with coronary artery disease or at high risk irrespective of his baseline cholesterol levels immediately after the correct diagnosis is done. The subgroup of patients after PCI must be treated aggressively.

Keywords: statins, percutaneous coronary intervention, restenosis, prognosis.

Published: December 31, 2003  Show citation