Atorvastatin Helps Lower LDL Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke

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Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the prevention of cardiovascular end points in subjects with type 2 diabetes: the Atorvastatin Study for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Endpoints in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (ASPEN), by R.H. Knopp and colleagues. Diabetes Care 29:1478-1485, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

People with type 2 diabetes and high LDL cholesterol (known as “bad” cholesterol) have a higher risk for getting cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease refers to several diseases involving the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack or stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to see if atorvastatin, a drug for lowering LDL cholesterol, would help keep people with type 2 diabetes from having cardiovascular problems. Their main focus was to see if atorvastatin would help lower the risk of dying from cardiovascular problems.

Who was studied?

Men and women with type 2 diabetes from 14 countries were studied. The men and women had a high risk for cardiovascular problems: they had high LDL cholesterol, and some of them had had a heart attack before.

How was the study done?

The men and women were given either atorvastatin or a placebo (a drug that has no effect). Their cholesterol levels were regularly checked, and the men and women were watched closely for any heart or blood vessel problems and for any bad reactions to taking atorvastatin. The study lasted for 2 years.

What did the researchers find?

LDL cholesterol was lowered much more in the men and women given atorvastatin. The rate for having either a heart attack was 27% lower in the men and women who took atorvastatin. From a scientific standpoint, however, the researchers were not able to prove that atorvastatin made a significant difference in preventing cardiovascular problems or dying from cardiovascular problems.

What were the limitations of the study?

During the study, the National Cholesterol Education Program changed their guidelines for target LDL levels and recommended use of cholesterol-lowering medications. This resulted in the researchers changing the way the study was conducted. These changes may have affected some of the results.

What are the implications of the study?

Although many of the study’s results were not significant from a scientific standpoint, the researchers were still able to show that atorvastatin helped lower LDL cholesterol levels. By keeping cholesterol levels at the recommended levels, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems can be avoided.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Check Out Your Cholesterol

Drug Therapy for High Cholesterol

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Toolkit

Diabetes and Cardiovascular: A Time to Act