Effects of Simvastatin and Ezetimibe on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients With Dyslipidemia
Effects of Simvastatin and Ezetimibe on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients With Dyslipidemia
Coadministration of drugs is common in the pharmacologic treatment of dyslipidemia, with
 statins and ezetimibe generally constituting the medication of choice. By acting at different
 levels, the combination of these drugs allows the therapeutic objective to be achieved.
 However, it is not known how these drugs qualitatively affect the composition of lipoprotein
 subfractions, which differ in size and atherogenic potential. The investigators set out to
 evaluate this effect as well as their effects on inflammatory, oxidative stress and
 endothelial function parameters.
The study consisted of a randomised parallel trial and took place during a period of 2
 months. A total of 42 hyperlipidemic patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: one
 received simvastatin (40 mg/day) and the other received ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for 4 weeks,
 after which both groups were administered combined therapy for an additional 4-week period.
 Lipid profile, lipoprotein subfractions of LDL and HDL, inflammatory, oxidative stress and
 endothelial function parameters were evaluated.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  LDL cholesterol concentration of between 160-190 mg/dl in patients with less than 2
 cardiovascular risk factors

 -  LDL concentration of between 130-160 mg/dl in patients that presented 2 or more
 cardiovascular risk factors.

 Cardiovascular risk factors were defined as: age (≥ 45 years in men and ≥55 years in
 women), a smoking habit, hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg), diabetes mellitus, a high-density
 lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration of ≤ 40mg/dl, and a family history of
 cardiovascular disease.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Triglyceride concentration > 400 mg/dl

 -  Diabetes Mellitus

 -  Kidney, liver, or thyroid disease