Research Unveils Who Truly Needs Statin Therapy for Cholesterol Management
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Synopsis
A US study investigates the most effective screening method for patients at risk of coronary heart disease, focusing on the utility of coronary artery calcium scores to determine the necessity for statin medications to lower cholesterol.
Key Takeaways
- The study involves over 5,600 patients.
- Coronary artery calcium scores are pivotal in assessing risk.
- Differences in statin recommendations were noted in the study.
- Outcomes will be compared over a follow-up period of up to 7 years.
- Statins carry costs and side effects such as diabetes risks.
New York, March 30 (NationPress) A recent investigation in the United States seeks to identify the most effective approach to screen and assess patients at risk for coronary heart disease, as well as to highlight those who could gain from statin medication to reduce cholesterol levels.
The innovative method utilized by experts at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City involves the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. This score is obtained through a low-radiation dose imaging technique using computed tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the plaques within the coronary arteries of the heart.
“Our study is currently fully enrolled with over 5,600 participants, and in this abstract presented at the American College of Cardiology, we aimed to analyze baseline characteristics and variations in statin prescription recommendations,” stated Jeffrey L. Anderson MD, the principal investigator of the study and a respected clinical and cardiovascular research physician at Intermountain Health.
“The crucial question is: Can we enhance the selection of individuals who require a statin for primary coronary risk mitigation by employing the coronary artery calcium score, instead of merely using coronary risk factors in a calculation? In other words, is it more beneficial to rely on direct imaging evidence of plaque burden or a risk probability? That’s what we intend to discover,” he elaborated.
The findings of this study were unveiled at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Sessions meeting held in Chicago on Saturday.
The results from the risk assessment tool were communicated to the patients' personal physicians through letters, indicating whether a statin was advised based on a high-risk score.
Both groups involved in the study exhibited remarkably similar baseline characteristics. However, researchers observed differences in the frequency of statin medication recommendations.
The study is anticipated to wrap up by early 2026, at which point a comparison of outcomes, including mortality rates, heart attacks, strokes, and revascularizations over a period of up to 7 years, and an average follow-up duration of over 4 years, will take place.
This research is particularly significant given that statins come with associated costs and potential side effects, such as muscle discomfort and an elevated risk of diabetes.
