Residual risk in statin-treated patients: future therapeutic options

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2007 Nov;9(6):499-505. doi: 10.1007/BF02938395.

Abstract

Statin therapy for aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, even on maximal statin therapy, high-risk patients have substantial residual risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Certain subgroups, such as individuals with diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), metabolic syndrome, or other comorbidities, have a particularly high residual risk. Patients at high risk for future CHD events often require multiple aggressive risk-reduction therapies (eg, antiplatelet agents, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blockade, cholesterol and/or diabetes management, and lifestyle interventions) to further lower their overall cardiovascular risk. For cholesterol management, combination therapy may be required to attain optimal levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, and non-HDL-C.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cholesterol, HDL / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Risk

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors