ABSTRACT
AIM: Assessment of effects of a 3-month course of atorvastatin and a nicotinic acid derivative acipimox on the lipid spectrum, platelet aggregation, results of brachial artery reactive hyperemia test and clinical outcomes in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 109 males with new-onset and progressive UAP entered the trial. They had LDLP cholesterol > or = 115 mg/dl. RESULTS: The addition of atorvastatin to combined therapy of UAP patients resulted in achievement of a target level of LDLP cholesterol level in 64% dose-adjusted patients while in acipimox patients the target level was achieved in 20% patients. In spite of a more potent effect on endothelial function, acipimox had an insignificant effect on the treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Hypolipidemic therapy with atorvastatin and acipimox for UAP leads to a significant reduction in LDLP cholesterol. The effect of atorvastatin comes much earlier and more frequently provides a target level of LDLP cholesterol.
