Treating patients with documented atherosclerosis to national cholesterol education program-recommended low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol goals with atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin

Objectives. This study compared the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin in patients with documented atherosclerosis treated to U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommended low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration (less than or equal to 100 mg/dl [2.59 mmol/liter]). Background. For patients with advanced atherosclerosis, NCEP recommends lipid lowering drug therapy if LDL cholesterol remains greater than or equal to 130 mg/dl (3.36 mmol/liter). Methods. A total of 318 men or women with documented atherosclerosis and LDL cholesterol greater than or equal to 130 mg/dl (3.36 mmol/liter) and less than or equal to 250 mg/dl (6.5 mmol/liter), and triglycerides less than or equal to 400 mg/dl (4.5 mmol/liter) participated in this 54-week, multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, active-controlled treat to-target study. Patients were titrated at 12-week intervals until the LDL cholesterol goal was reached. Number of patients reaching target LDL cholesterol levels and dose to reach target were evaluated. Results. At the starting doses, atorvastatin 10 mg produced significantly greater decreases (p < 0.05) in plasma LDL cholesterol than the other treatments. Subsequently, the percentage of patients reaching goal at the starting dose was 32% for atorvastatin, 1% for fluvastatin, 10% for lovastatin and 22% for simvastatin. Atorvastatin-treated patients required a lower median dose than other treatments. Median doses at week 54,vith the last available visit carried forward were atorvastatin 20 mg/day, fluvastatin 40 mg/day + colestipol 20 g/day, lovastatin 80 mg/day, simvastatin 40 mg/day. Conclusions. A significantly greater number (p < 0.05) of patients with confirmed atherosclerosis treated with atorvastatin reached the target LDL cholesterol concentration at the starting dose than patients treated with fluvastatin or lovastatin, and significantly fewer (p < 0.05) patients treated,vith atorvastatin required combination therapy with colestipol to achieve target LDL cholesterol concentrations than all other statins tested. (J Am Cell Cardiol 1998;32:665-72) (C) 1998 by the American College of Cardiology.