Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

14.7K

Statins and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Low to Moderate Risk but With Non-obstructive Carotid Plaques: The

Minjae Yoon1,2, Chan Joo Lee2, Sungha Park2

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Korean Circulation Journal
|December 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Statin therapy showed no significant benefit for cardiovascular events or mortality in low-to-moderate risk patients with carotid plaque. These findings suggest limited value for statins in this specific patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Preventive Cardiology
  • Vascular Imaging

Background:

  • Discrepancies exist between clinical risk scores and vascular imaging for cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Carotid plaque presence in low-to-moderate risk individuals may indicate a need for refined prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical outcome benefits of statin therapy in patients with low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk but identified carotid plaque.
  • To determine if statins improve outcomes in a population not typically recommended for therapy based on traditional risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective propensity score matching study of 1,611 patients with carotid plaques and low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk.
  • Analysis included 806 patients (403 statin group, 403 control group) with a median follow-up of 6.0 years.
  • Primary outcomes: major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and all-cause mortality.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in MACCEs (adjusted HR, 0.95; p=0.90) or all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 1.02; p=0.97) between statin and control groups.
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed similar rates of MACCEs and mortality.
  • Age and smoking were identified as independent predictors of MACCEs; no subgroup showed statin benefit.

Conclusions:

  • Statin therapy likely offers limited benefit for cardiovascular event prevention in patients with low-to-moderate risk and carotid plaques.
  • Findings may assist clinicians in optimizing cardiovascular prevention strategies for this patient cohort.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisDrug therapyHealth careOutcome assessmentUltrasonography

More Related Videos

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

492
A Murine Model of Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery for the Study of Restenosis04:30

A Murine Model of Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery for the Study of Restenosis

Published on: May 14, 2013

25.6K

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
19
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
750
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
56
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
31
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
22
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
35