Address of Corresponding Author

Heart Drug 2005;5:39-50 (DOI: 10.1159/000083386)

  Key Words

• Endpoints
• Coronary heart disease
• Diabetes
• LDL cholesterol
• Risk factors
• Statins

  Abstract

Lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins is a well-documented strategy to reduce the incidence rate of cardiovascular events and deaths. There has been consensus so far that LDL-C should at least be lowered to 100 mg/dl in individuals suffering from established atherosclerotic disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Results of recent intervention trials of highly effective statins have lead to suggest that the target for high-risk individuals be set at substantially lower concentrations. As demonstrated by the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy (PROVE-IT) study this recommendation appears warranted particularly in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, evidence is emerging that LDL-C levels well below 100 mg/dl would also produce significant additional clinical benefit in patients with stable coronary artery disease or type 2 diabetes.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Winfried März, MD, Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics,Medical University of Graz, General and University Hospital, Auenbruggerplatz 15
AT–8036 Graz (Austria), Tel. +43 3 16 3 85 31 45, Fax +43 3 16 3 85 34 30
E-Mail Winfried.Maerz@klinikum-graz.at

  Article Information

Published online: January 19, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 7, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 41