Related Experiment Videos
Treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: atorvastatin vs simvastatin
M Bo1, M T Nicolello, U Fiandra
1Lipid Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Section of Gerontology, University of Turin, Italy.
Insights
Atorvastatin demonstrated superior cholesterol-lowering effects compared to simvastatin in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH). This study highlights atorvastatin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) is a genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels.
- Statins are primary medications for managing hypercholesterolemia.
- National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines provide targets for LDL-cholesterol reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin versus simvastatin in HFH patients.
- To assess the attainment of NCEP LDL-cholesterol goals with both statins.
- To evaluate the impact of atorvastatin and simvastatin on blood fibrinogen and coagulative variables.
Main Methods:
- A 24-week randomized study involving 26 HFH patients.
- Patients received escalating doses of atorvastatin or simvastatin (10-80 mg daily).
- Outcomes measured included total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB100, fibrinogen, and coagulative variables.
Main Results:
- Both atorvastatin and simvastatin significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoB100.
- Atorvastatin achieved greater reductions in total cholesterol (-42% vs -30%) and LDL-C (-50% vs -37%) compared to simvastatin.
- 23% of patients on atorvastatin reached NCEP LDL-C goals, versus none on simvastatin. No significant changes in fibrinogen or coagulative variables were observed.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin exhibits superior cholesterol-lowering efficacy compared to simvastatin in patients with HFH.
- Atorvastatin is more effective in helping HFH patients achieve NCEP LDL-C goals.
Background And Aim:
This study compares the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin and simvastatin in attainment of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH). The association of atorvastatin with significant changes of blood fibrinogen and other coagulative variables was also compared with that of simvastatin.
Methods And Results:
In a 24-week study, 26 HFH patients (16 men, 10 women, mean age 55.1 +/- 11.3) were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin or simvastatin. The initial daily dose of 10 mg was progressively raised to 20, 40 and 80 mg in patients who had not reached the NCEP LDL-C goal. Significant reductions of total and LDL-C (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.005) and apoB100 (p < 0.001) were observed in both groups. Atorvastatin caused greater reductions in total cholesterol (-42% vs -30%) (p < 0.001) and LDL-C (-50% vs -37%) (p < 0.01). Three patients treated with Atorvastatin (23%) and none of those treated with simvastatin reached the NCEP LDL-C goal at the end of the study. No significant departures from the fibrinogen and coagulative variable baselines were observed.
Conclusions:
Atorvastatin has greater cholesterol-lowering efficacy than simvastatin in HFH.