The effects of lipid-regulating therapy on haemostatic parameters

There is growing evidence that the components of the haemostatic system play a significant role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and its complications. Lipid-lowering interventions have been associated with a significant reduction of morbidity and mortality. However, the improvement in cardiovascular risk seen in several clinical trials is incompletely explained by cholesterol reduction. Therefore, the benefit from lipid lowering drugs may involve non-lipid mechanisms. These include beneficial effects on the arterial wall, improved endothelial function and a favourable influence on blood rheology and thrombogenesis. In this review, we consider the influence of lipid-lowering interventions on rheological and haemostatic parameters as well as the potential clinical relevance of these effects.