CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 39, no. 4, 2013

Statins - Between the Cholesterol-Lowering and Pleiotropic Effect

[Review]

C.F. PLESA(1), M. TANTU(2), A. GRIGORESCU(3), V. CIRLIG(4)


(1)“Prof. Dr. Dimitrie Gerota” Hospital, Bucharest;
(2)Pitesti Emergency County Hospital;
(3)Oftapro Clinic, Bucharest,
(4)University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova


Abstract:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) ranks the first place in the world in terms of mortality, accounting annually for about one third of all deaths and representing an important part of the morbidity in the world. Studies have shown that blood cholesterol level is directly involved in the production of atherosclerosis and CVD. That is why cholesterol-lowering medication (especially statins) became absolutely necessary in reducing the risk of CVD with all its consequences. Statins are a class of drugs which, in addition to the main effect of lowering blood cholesterol levels, have numerous pleiotropic effects with important role in stabilization of plaque, thereby reducing vascular events. The first randomized controlled trials with statins were conducted in 1990, then a lot of other research led to precise recommendations (found in guidelines and protocols) for the use of this class of drugs. Today, statins are used both in primary and secondary prevention of vascular disease, whether cerebral or coronary.


Keywords: statins, cholesterol, pleiotropic, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease



Corresponding: Cristina Florentina Plesa, Prof. Dr. Dimitrie Gerota" Hospital, Bucharest


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.39.04.03 - Download PDF
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