Review of primary and secondary prevention trials with lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin.

Overview

There are overwhelming data in favor of cholesterol as a modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Lifestyle modifications are considered first-line treatments for lowering cholesterol, but drug therapies are recommended in at-risk groups. Trials published before the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III reports have helped statins emerge at the forefront of lipid therapies, and more recent trials have shed light on high-risk prevention. Although 6 statins are currently available, large clinical trials reported thus far have mainly evaluated atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin in the prevention of CAD and other cardiovascular events. A few small end point trials have evaluated fluvastatin, whereas rosuvastatin trials are only in their early days.