Pleiotropic effects: should statins be considered an essential component in the treatment of dyslipidemia?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the developed world. Lower risks of morbidity and mortality in trials of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) have changed the conventional wisdom regarding lipid lowering. Since 2001, there have been surprising results concerning the early benefits of statin therapy, which suggest that some benefits may be derived from effects other than those of simply improving dyslipidemias. The earlier than expected CVD benefits from statin trials have led to the theory that statins have effects other than, or concomitant to, the benefits on serum lipid levels, and that these effects may be at least partly responsible for their early and often significant reduction in CVD risk. These have been defined as pleiotropic effects. Possible means by which statins reduce CVD risk independent of their lipid regulation may include antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidation, plaque stabilization, and endothelial wall relaxation resulting in lower intra-arterial pressure and increased blood flow.