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Statins, ACE inhibitors and ARBs in cardiovascular disease

Fabrizio Montecucco1, François Mach

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Foundation for Medical Researches, Geneva, Switzerland. fabrizio.montecucco@medecine.unige.ch

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
|June 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death, with inflammation playing a key role. This review examines statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs for CVD treatment, especially in diabetic patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Inflammation
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary global cause of mortality.
  • Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus are established CVD risk factors.
  • Chronic inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, are increasingly recognized as CVD accelerators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current therapeutic evidence for CVD treatments.
  • To focus on statins, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs).
  • To highlight treatment relevance for diabetic patients with CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent clinical trials.
  • Analysis of therapeutic evidence for specified drug classes.
  • Focus on studies involving diabetic populations.

Main Results:

  • Statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs demonstrate efficacy in managing CVD.
  • Evidence supports their role in reducing CVD events, particularly in high-risk groups.
  • Specific benefits and considerations for diabetic patients are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammatory processes are integral to CVD pathophysiology.
  • Statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs are crucial in managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Tailored therapeutic strategies, especially for diabetic patients, are essential for improving outcomes.

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