Effects of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors on Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Processes

Recent large clinical trials have demonstrated that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, markedly reduce morbidity and mortality when used in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It has been established that the benefits of statin therapy in cardiovascular disease can be explained not only by the lipid-lowering potential of statins but also by nonlipid-related mechanisms (so-called ‘pleiotropic effects’) that contribute to the positive effect of statins on the incidence of cardiovascular events.