A clinical focus on statins.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (statins) significantly reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in patients with and without coronary artery disease. Furthermore, statins are currently the most potent cholesterol-lowering drugs available. Subanalyses of the LIPID study have shown that patients suffering from unstable angina pectoris had at least the same benefit from statin therapy as did patients after myocardial infarction. Studies, recently published (AVERT or MIRACL) provide more information on the topic of therapy with statins in the early phase of acute coronary syndromes.