Progress in Prevention: A New Era in Statin Therapy
Laura L. Hayman PhD, RN, FAAN
Suzanne Hughes MSN, RN

$3.95 		Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
August 2004 
Volume 19  Number 4
Pages 287 - 289
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Outline

  • REFERENCES

    We have seen a decade of impressive research evaluating the benefits of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (now called the statins ) in placebo-controlled trails. In early 2004, we have the results of 2 trials that are among the first to evaluate the benefit(s) of one statin against another. The Reversing Atherosclerosis with Aggressive Lipid Lowering (REVERSAL) 1 Trial compared the effects of atorvastatin and pravastatin in a group of patients with stable coronary disease. The second trial, Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy (PROVE-IT), 2 compared the same 2 agents in a group of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

    The investigators for the REVERSAL Trial randomized 502 patients with stable coronary disease to receive pravastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg for 18 months. The degree of atherosclerosis was measured by intravascular ultrasound. At the end of the 18-month study period, “halting” of coronary artery disease progression was noted in the group treated with atorvastatin vs continued progression in the group treated with pravastatin. Baseline mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration of 150 mg/dL dropped to 79 mg/dL in the group treated with atorvastatin and to 110 mg/dL in the group treated with pravastatin. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) levels were also measured. These levels dropped from a mean of 3 mg/L, at the beginning of the trial, to 1.8 mg/L (36% decrease) in the group treated with atorvastatin compared to 2.9 mg/L (5% decrease) in the group treated with pravastatin, at the end of the trial.

    The PROVE-IT Trial compared the clinical outcomes of administrating atorvastatin 80 mg to pravastatin 40 mg in 4162 patients with acute coronary syndrome. At the end of a mean period of 24 months, there was a 28% reduction in all-cause mortality in the group treated with atorvastatin compared to the group treated with pravastatin, ...

Purchase Now !

To purchase this item, follow the instructions below. If you’re not already logged in, be sure to enter your login information below to ensure that your item is saved to your File Drawer after you purchase it.

Not a member? Join now for Free!


Cost:$3.95
1) If you're not already logged in, enter your information below to save this item in your File Drawer for future viewing.

User name:


Password


Forgot your user name or password? 		2)  If you have a coupon or promotional code, enter it
here.(If not, just click Continue.


Digital Coupon: (optional)

3)  Click Continue to go to the next screen, where
you'll enter your payment details.




Featured Jobs



Benefits of Membership

FREE E-Newsletters
Sign up for our free enewsletters to stay up-to-date in your area of practice - or take a look at an archive of prior issues

CESaver
Join our CESaver program to earn up to 100 contact hours for only $34.95
Register Now

Lippincott's NursingCenter.com
Explore a world of online resources

Become a Member