Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 23, Issue 46, 2017

Background: Chronic inflammation and immune system activation underlie a variety of seemingly unrelated cardiac conditions including not only atherosclerosis and the subsequent coronary artery disease but also peripheral artery disease, hypertension with target organ damage and heart failure. The beneficial effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins are mainly attributed to their ability to inhibit hepatic cholestero Read More

Statins are widely established as an important class of medications for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In addition to their lipid-lowering effects, mounting evidence suggests that statins exhibit non-lipid-lowering mediated effects in the cardiovascular system. These so called “pleiotropic” effects are partly due to antioxidant properties of statins. These are mediated by inhibition of the mevalonate pat Read More

Statins are a group of lipid-lowering medications that have been proven to be efficient in the protection of patients with dyslipidaemia from cardiovascular disease. The beneficial role of statins in both primary and secondary prevention has been well documented in many large randomized clinical trials. This beneficial effect extends to patients with diabetes mellitus. Their safety profile is overall good with mainly Read More

Adipose tissue (AT), aside from being an energy storage site, functions as a source of cytokines, adipokines and other vasoactive molecules. Dysfunctional AT contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease by shifting to a pro-oxidant, pro-inflammatory phenotype. Perivascular AT (PVAT) is of particular importance to the development of vascular disease, due to its close proximity to the vascular wall. Molecules r Read More

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 r Read More

Background: Atherosclerosis is a systemic, progressive lipid-driven inflammatory disease of the arterial vascular wall leading progressively to plaque development. The vulnerable plaque, the one considered to be the leading cause of cardiovascular events seems to exhibit a large and soft lipid-rich necrotic core covered by a thin and inflamed fibrous cap. Statin treatment is considered as one of the most effective methods Read More

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) frequently experience recurrent adverse events from the cardiovascular system comparing to either healthy individuals or individuals with stable coronary artery disease. This is attributed to the inflammatory cascade that is activated during ACS resulting in increased risk for rupture of vulnerable plaques. Objective: Therefore, it is of great importance to avoid Read More

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common atherosclertico condition affecting the lower extremities. PAD patients share similar cardiovascular risk factors to coronary artery disease patients and suffer from increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins have been widely used in coronary artery disease patients but have been underused in patients with PAD. In the current review, we present data which support th Read More

Background: Numerous studies indicate that statins have multiple beneficial actions (known as ‘pleiotropic actions’) on cardiovascular system through the improvement of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, excessive arterial thrombosis, and stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Aortic disease primarily consists of aortic valve stenosis, aortic valve regurgitation, aneurysm disease, and genet Read More

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valvular heart disease in Europe and North America. It is a progressive disease with a prolonged period of asymptomatic latency which eventually leads to critical left ventricular outflow tract obstruction necessitating surgical replacement of the valve. Statins are lipidlowering drugs with a robust evidence base demonstrating clinical benefit in atherosclerotic co Read More

Background: Statins are a well-established class of drugs in both preventing coronary events and treating cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease, however their use in heart failure is still in debate. Objectives: To establish whether statins' pleiotropic actions in endothelium, inflammation, remodeling of the heart and anti-arrhythmic potential may be in favorable of heart failure patients. Methods: We proceed to literature s Read More

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. This elevated risk for cardiovascular events exists even in the largest subpopulation with milder stages of CKD, prior to the development of significant reductions in renal excretory function. Statin therapy is a critical component of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention efforts for at-risk patients. Efficacy in the CKD popul Read More

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a type of acute kidney injury associated with intravascular administration of iodinated contrast, usually reversible. Contrast agents are an essential component of invasive and noninvasive coronary angiography. These agents have been modified over time to enhance patient safety and tolerability, but adverse reactions still occur. CIN has been variably defined, as a rise in serum creati Read More