Statin therapy provides beneficial cholesterol-lowering and pleiotropic effects for the cardiovascular system, though patients require careful monitoring for potential side effects and drug interactions.
This review summarizes the clinical considerations, pleiotropic benefits, and safety monitoring requirements of statin therapy in cardiovascular disease.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, commonly known as statins, are the medical treatment of choice for hypercholesterolemia. In addition to achieving a therapeutic decrease in serum cholesterol levels, statin therapy appears to promote pleiotropic effects that are independent of changes in serum cholesterol. These cholesterol lowering and pleiotropic effects are beneficial not only for the coronary circulation, but for the myocardium and peripheral arterial system as well. Patients receiving statin therapy must be carefully monitored, however, as statins potentially have harmful side effects and drug interactions. This article is part II of a 2-part review, and it focuses on the clinical aspects of statin therapy in cardiovascular disease.
Sadowitz et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia. Statin therapy (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) was evaluated. Statin therapy provides beneficial cholesterol-lowering and pleiotropic effects for the cardiovascular system, though patients require careful monitoring for potential side effects and drug interactions.