Key result
Ezetimibe added to statins achieves a further reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 18-20%, and four major outcome trials are underway to evaluate its effect in high-risk patients.
Why the study?
Does ezetimibe plus simvastatin improve cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients?
Does ezetimibe plus simvastatin improve cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients?
This paper reviews the rationale and ongoing clinical trial program evaluating the cardiovascular benefits of adding ezetimibe to simvastatin in various high-risk patient populations.
Further LDL-C lowering with ezetimibe on statins is feasible; leaves open cardiovascular outcome benefits in high-risk patients pending ongoing trials.
Ezetimibe is a drug that impairs intestinal cholesterol absorption and decreases blood cholesterol levels. It has been shown that added to statins it can achieve a further reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 18-20%, overcoming the increase in absorption that follow the reduction in cholesterol synthesis by statins. Four major outcome trials are underway to study the effect of ezetimibe plus simvastatin in different subsets of high-risk patients: familiar hypercholesterolemia, degenerative aortic stenosis, chronic kidney disease and acute coronary syndrome. Hopefully, in the next few years the information provided by these trials will allow us to further reduce the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Luis Rodrı́guez Padial (2007) conducted a review in High-risk patients (familiar hypercholesterolemia, degenerative aortic stenosis, chronic kidney disease, acute coronary syndrome). Ezetimibe plus simvastatin was evaluated. Ezetimibe added to statins achieves a further reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 18-20%, and four major outcome trials are underway to evaluate its effect in high-risk patients.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: