HMG CoA reductase inhibitors

Abstract

Two new studies confirm that lipid-lowering therapy can improve coronary artery stenosis in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and cardiac disease. The information provided is valuable, but doctors are now eager to know if this improvement in stenosis translates into real clinical benefit, i.e. a reduction in cardiac event rate. Debate has also begun over the use of lipid-lowering drugs in patients with signs of cardiac disease, but near-normal cholesterol levels. The trial results and these other related issues were discussed at the 12th World Congress of Cardiology and the 16th Congress of the European Society of Cardiology [ Berlin, Germany; September 1994 ].