LDL-cholesterol lowering efficacy of atorvastatin® in primary prevention. Real-world experience in a developing country; a program based on evidence, personalization, and empowerment

Abstract

Despite the iconoclasts of the LDL-centric principle and the net benefit of statins, the plurality, quantity, and especially the scientific quality of the evidence that supports the causal role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in atherosclerosis, as well as the net benefit of statins in its prevention, make these two concepts, universal principles accepted by all guidelines worldwide.

The efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of statins have been confirmed in multiple randomized and controlled clinical trials. However, paradoxically, and especially in developing countries like Mexico, the use of this therapeutic class is suboptimal. The reasons to explain this paradox are multiple and are analyzed in this article, which has the purpose of confirming the efficacy, safety, and significant potential impact of statins in the "real developing world." To fulfill this purpose, this article presents our center experience using statins, especially atorvastatin®, in patients without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Founded on an evidence-based, personalization, and empowerment program, our results in almost four hundred patients in primary cardiovascular prevention are as follows. In intermediate-risk patients, atorvastatin® 10 mg/day with a baseline LDL-C of 111.6 mg/dL (±25.1), reduced LDL-C by 38.0% (±13.9); atorvastatin® 20 mg/day with a baseline LDL-C of 124.4 mg/dL (±25.3), reduced LDL-C by 44.9% (±15.0) (p <0.005 for both). In the atorvastatin® 10/20 mg/day cohort (a total of 294 patients), 87.7% (258 patients) achieved a ≥30% LDL-C reduction, and 36.7% (108 patients) a ≥50% reduction. In the atorvastatin 10/20 mg/day cohort, with an average baseline LDL-C of 122.6 mg/dL (±25.6), 92.5 and 55.7% achieved LDL-C of ≤100 and ≤70 mg/dL, respectively. In high-risk patients, atorvastatin® 40 mg/day with a baseline LDL-C of 151.7 mg/dL (±31.6), there was an LDL-C average reduction of 54.7% (±12.2). Atorvastatin 80mg/day with a baseline LDL-C of 160.2 mg/dL (±41.5) produced an LDL-C average reduction of 62.5% (±10.8) (P <0.005 for both). In the atorvastatin® 40/80 mg/day cohort (89 patients), 98.8% (88 patients) achieved a ≥30% LDL-C reduction, and 76.4% (68 patients) achieved a ≥50% reduction. In the atorvastatin 40/80 mg/day cohort, with an average baseline LDL-C of 153.0 mg/dL (±33.2), 95.8 and 62.9% achieved LDL-C of ≤100 and ≤70 mg/dL, respectively.