Effects of statin therapy on vascular dysfunction

Dyslipidemia and vascular inflammation play critical roles in the onset of acute coronary syndromes including myocardial infarction. Recent advances in cardiovascular medicine demonstrate that lipid-lowering therapy by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) prevents acute coronary complications, probably by limiting inflammation in atheroma. Although a number of studies have suggested various effects of statins on vascular dysfunction independent of lipid lowering, the clinical benefits of such effects are not established as yet. (C) 2004 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.