Statin Therapy for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

In a large randomized trial, simvastatin significantly reduced the incidence of major vascular events among patients with PAD.

Although statins are commonly prescribed for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), large cholesterol-lowering trials have not been conducted specifically in this patient population. To fill this gap, U.K. researchers took advantage of the randomized Heart Protection Study, in which 20,536 patients — all of whom had total cholesterol ≥135 mg/dL and coronary disease, other occlusive arterial disease, diabetes, or hypertension — received 40 mg of simvastatin or placebo daily. Previously published results from this study focused on coronary and stroke outcomes (Journal Watch Jul 30 2002); now, the researchers focus on PAD.

Nearly 7000 patients had PAD (i.e., claudication or previous peripheral revascularization) at baseline. During 5 …

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Statin Therapy for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Topics

Reviewing Author