Title:Statins in Stable Angina Pectoris
Volume: 23
Issue: 46
Author(s): Adam Ioannou, Nikolaos Papageorgiou*, Vincent McCaughan, Marietta Charakida, Dimitris Bertsias, Fay Zacharia, Gerasimos Siasos, George Latsios, Spyridon Papaioannou, Evangelos Oikonomou and Dimitris Tousoulis
Affiliation:
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London,United Kingdom
Keywords:
Stable angina, statins, atherosclerosis, ischaemia, pleiotropic effects, coronary arteries.
Abstract: Background: Stable angina is a debilitating and progressive disease caused by narrowing of the coronary
arteries, which in turn affects cardiac perfusion. Statins have a well-established role, modifying symptoms
and progression of the disease not only through lipid lowering, but also through pleiotropic effects.
Objective: We sought to evaluate the effect of statins in stable angina pectoris
Method: We performed a systematic review of the literature searching MEDLINE via Pubmed for all studies
which examine the possible effects of statins in stable angina pectoris.
Results: Statins have demonstrated favourable modification of both biochemical markers (oxidative stress, inflammatory
and coagulation markers/factors) and clinical symptoms (anginal and ischemic) of the disease. These
effects have been demonstrated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo in animals and humans, independently of the lipid
lowering effects.
Conclusion: With an excellent safety profile and evidence of efficacy in managing patients with stable angina,
statins appear an essential part of the therapeutic armoury against atherosclerotic disease.
