Abstract
Intensive statin treatment has proved beneficial in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, this benefit may apply only to those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Loading, preloading or reloading with high dose(s) of a statin may decrease major adverse cardiac events, revascularization of both target and non-target vessels as well as myocardial necrosis after PCI. It seems that different actions of statins are responsible for their protective role in target vessel and non-target vessel revascularization procedures. This editorial discusses the results of statin loading trials and comments on the possible mechanisms involved.
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Declaration of funding
This editorial was written independently by the authors. The authors did not receive financial or professional help with the preparation of the manuscript.
Declaration of financial/other relationships
All the authors have given talks, attended conferences and participated in trials sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies. D.P.M. is an advisory board member for Merck Sharp & Dohme. M.F. is supported by a grant from the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society.
Peer reviewers may receive honoraria from CMRO for their review work. The external peer reviewer for this editorial commentary has disclosed that he/she is a consultant/advisor to Sanofi-Aventis and Pfizer, and serves on the speakers bureau of Sanofi-Aventis.
Acknowledgements
There are no additional acknowledgements to be declared for this article.