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Very low levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and the risk for cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis of statin trials

  • S. Matthijs Boekholdt
  • , G. Kees Hovingh
  • , Samia Mora
  • , Benoit J. Arsenault
  • , Pierre Amarenco
  • , Terje R. Pedersen
  • , John C. LaRosa
  • , David D. Waters
  • , David A. DeMicco
  • , R. John Simes
  • , Antony C. Keech
  • , David Colquhoun
  • , Graham A. Hitman
  • , D. John Betteridge
  • , Michael B. Clearfield
  • , John R. Downs
  • , Helen M. Colhoun
  • , Antonio M. Gotto
  • , Paul M. Ridker
  • , Scott M. Grundy
  • John J. P. Kastelein (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

    Abstract

    Background

    Levels of atherogenic lipoproteins achieved with statin therapy are highly variable, but the consequence of this variability for cardiovascular disease risk is not well-documented.
    Objectives

    The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate: 1) the interindividual variability of reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), or apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels achieved with statin therapy; 2) the proportion of patients not reaching guideline-recommended lipid levels on high-dose statin therapy; and 3) the association between very low levels of atherogenic lipoproteins achieved with statin therapy and cardiovascular disease risk.
    Methods

    This meta-analysis used individual patient data from 8 randomized controlled statin trials, in which conventional lipids and apolipoproteins were determined in all study participants at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.
    Results

    Among 38,153 patients allocated to statin therapy, a total of 6,286 major cardiovascular events occurred in 5,387 study participants during follow-up. There was large interindividual variability in the reductions of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and apoB achieved with a fixed statin dose. More than 40% of trial participants assigned to high-dose statin therapy did not reach an LDL-C target <70 mg/dl. Compared with patients who achieved an LDL-C >175 mg/dl, those who reached an LDL-C 75 to <100 mg/dl, 50 to <75 mg/dl, and <50 mg/dl had adjusted hazard ratios for major cardiovascular events of 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46 to 0.67), 0.51 (95% CI: 0.42 to 0.62), and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.35 to 0.55), respectively. Similar associations were observed for non-HDL-C and apoB.
    Conclusions

    The reductions of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and apoB levels achieved with statin therapy displayed large interindividual variation. Among trial participants treated with high-dose statin therapy, >40% did not reach an LDL-C target <70 mg/dl. Patients who achieve very low LDL-C levels have a lower risk for major cardiovascular events than do those achieving moderately low levels.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)485-494
    Number of pages10
    JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
    Volume64
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 5 Aug 2014

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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