The effect of early and intensive statin therapy on ventricular premature beat or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Our study’s aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of early and intensive lipid-lowering treatment on ventricular premature beat or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) after acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, non-STEMI, and unstable angina pectoris).
Methods: Some 586 patients with acute coronary syndrome were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (with conventional statin therapy, to receive 10 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 289) and Group B (given early and intensive statin therapy, 60 mg immediately and 40 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 297). The frequency of ventricular premature beat and NSVT was recorded via Holter monitoring after hospitalization (24 h and 72 h). Results: Seventy seven (11.8%) patients had NSVT. When compared to patients with no documented NSVT, patients with NSVT were older and more frequently had myocardial infarction in their history, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and an ejection fraction < 40%. Ventricular premature beats decreased significantly in the early and aggressive treatment group (24 h, p < 0.01; 72 h, p < 0.001). A significant reduction in NSVT was seen in the early and aggressive treatment group (24 h, p < 0.01; 72 h, p < 0.001). There were no side effects observed in either group.
Conclusions: Early and intensive lipid-lowering treatment can clearly decrease ventricular premature beats and NSVT.
(Cardiol J 2010; 17, 4: 381-385)