J Lipid Atheroscler.  2017 Dec;6(2):61-65. 10.12997/jla.2017.6.2.61.

Statin Therapy with Coronary Plaque Imaging

• Park JH

• KMID: 2401107
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12997/jla.2017.6.2.61

Abstract

If there is coronary plaque, do we need statin therapy? Many studies have been conducted to answer this question. According to global guidelines, there is a high-risk patient population who could benefit from statin therapy. According to the guidelines, patients with a history of previous cardiovascular disease are subject to statin therapy. In addition, several other studies have shown that asymptomatic coronary plaque could cause future cardiovascular events. Therefore, statin therapy could be considered in patients with coronary artery plaque. These coronary plaques can be quantified through invasive intra-coronary imaging equipment. Especially, vulnerable arteriosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular events. Use of statins in the presence of coronary plaques may help reduce atheroma volume and stabilize vulnerability. In conclusion, coronary artery imaging is very useful for the initiation and evaluation of statin therapy.

Keyword

Coronary plaque; Statin; IVUS; OCT; NIRS; Plaque regression

MeSH Terms

Arteriosclerosis
Cardiovascular Diseases
Coronary Vessels
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors*
Plaque, Atherosclerotic

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