Does high-dose statin treatment before percutaneous coronary intervention improve outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease?

This study looked at the use of high-dose statin treatment before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It found that patients who received high-dose statin treatment before PCI were less likely to have a major cardiovascular event (MACE) defined as a heart attack or stroke in the next 30 days.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels in the heart become blocked. This can lead to heart attacks, stroke, or death (MACE). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure used to treat CAD. PCI involves unblocking the affected blood vessels and using stents to keep them open.

Statins are a type of medication used to lower cholesterol. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are two commonly used statins. Statins are usually given to patients who undergo PCI in order to reduce the risk of a second heart attack, stroke, or death. It is not clear if statin treatment should be started before PCI or after to improve their outcomes. 

This study looked at 11 studies, involving a total of 4,306 patients with CAD. All patients had never received statin treatment before (statin-naive). All underwent PCI. 2,144 patients received high-dose statin treatment before PCI (atorvastatin 80 mg or rosuvastatin 40 mg). 2,162 patients did not receive statin treatment before PCI.  

In the following 30 days, the total risk of heart attack or stroke was reduced by 43% in the group that received high-dose statin treatment before PCI. This risk reduction was similar for atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. 

This study showed that in statin-naive patients, high-dose statin treatment before PCI reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke in the next 30 days.

Most of the studies included in this research were based in Asia. Further studies are needed to determine if these results apply to other ethnicities.