Sex-related differences of coronary atherosclerosis regression following maximally intensive statin therapy: insights from SATURN.

Objectives: The study sought to explore sex-related differences in coronary atheroma regression following high-intensity statin therapy.

Background: Guidelines now recommend high-intensity statins in all individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods: SATURN (Study of Coronary Atheroma by Intravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin) employed serial intravascular ultrasound measures of coronary atheroma volume in patients treated with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg for 24 months.

High-intensity statin therapy alters the natural history of diabetic coronary atherosclerosis: insights from SATURN.

Objective: Although statins can induce coronary atheroma regression, this benefit has yet to be demonstrated in diabetic individuals. We tested the hypothesis that high-intensity statin therapy may promote coronary atheroma regression in patients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: The Study of Coronary Atheroma by Intravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin (SATURN) used serial intravascular ultrasound measures of coronary atheroma volume in patients treated with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg for 24 months.

Long-term effects of maximally intensive statin therapy on changes in coronary atheroma composition: insights from SATURN.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of long-term maximally intensive statin therapy on indices of coronary atheroma composition in a randomized trial, and how these changes relate to modifications of serum lipoproteins and systemic inflammation.

Methods And Results: The Study of coronary Atheroma by inTravascular Ultrasound: the effect of Rosuvastatin vs. atorvastatiN (SATURN) employed serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) measures of coronary atheroma in patients treated with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 24 months.

C-reactive protein, but not low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, associate with coronary atheroma regression and cardiovascular events after maximally intensive statin therapy.

Background: Baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and hospitalization for unstable angina). The association between changes in CRP levels with plaque progression and MACE in the setting of maximally intensive statin therapy is unknown.

Methods And Results: The Study of Coronary Atheroma by Intravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin (SATURN) used serial intravascular ultrasound measures of coronary atheroma volume in patients treated with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg for 24 months.

Coronary atheroma volume and cardiovascular events during maximally intensive statin therapy.

Aims: The impact of baseline coronary plaque burden on the clinical outcome in patients receiving aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy to levels <70 mg/dL is unknown. We assessed the prognostic significance of baseline coronary plaque burden following high-intensity statin therapy.

Methods And Results: SATURN used serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to measure coronary atheroma volume in 1039 patients before and after 24 months of treatment with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg.

Factors underlying regression of coronary atheroma with potent statin therapy.

Aims: Statins can inhibit the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to characterize clinical factors that associate with differing measures of coronary atheroma volume following potent statin therapy.

Methods And Results: SATURN employed serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to monitor changes in measures of coronary atheroma burden [total atheroma volume (TAV) and per cent atheroma volume (PAV)] in 1039 patients with coronary artery disease, treated with rosuvastatin (40 mg) or atorvastatin (80 mg) daily for 24 months.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia: a model of care for Australasia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that causes marked elevation in plasma cholesterol and premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 45,000 people with FH in Australia and New Zealand, but the vast majority remains undetected and those diagnosed with the condition are inadequately treated. To bridge this major gap in coronary prevention the FH Australasia Network (Australian Atherosclerosis Society) has developed a consensus model of care (MoC) for FH.

Rationale and design of the dal-OUTCOMES trial: efficacy and safety of dalcetrapib in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Despite contemporary therapies for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), morbidity and mortality remain high. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are common among patients with ACS and may contribute to ongoing risk. Strategies that raise levels of HDL cholesterol, such as inhibition of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), might reduce risk after ACS.

Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein increases plasma high-density lipoprotein anti-inflammatory properties and cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the effects of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) infusions on plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) anti-inflammatory properties and ex vivo cholesterol efflux in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The anti-inflammatory effects of HDL contribute to protection from cardiovascular events. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, and typically have low HDL with reduced anti-inflammatory properties.