EFFECTIVE AND SAFE COMBINATION OF ATORVASTATIN AND EZETIMIBE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: Dyslipidaemia (DL) is a well-known risk factor for Cardiovascular disease(CVD). Literature suggests combined therapy of Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe (A&E) is beneficial than Atorvastatin therapy alone. Objective of the study is to determine the effective and safe dose combination of A&E in patients with Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in patients attending to the cardiology clinic. Design and method: Four separate treatment regimens were administered in randomly assigned 4 groups of patients. Each group was given same dose of Ezetimibe (10 mg). Atorvastatin doses were given as 10 mg (G1), 20 mg (G2), 30 mg (G3), 40 mg (G4) etc. After baseline investigations, patients were followed up for 6 months and reevaluation was done. Non parametric tests were used for data analysis. Ethical clearance was obtained prior to the study. Results: Overall 110 patients were recruited. Mean age was 60.1 ± 9.4 years and female predominance (62.7%) was observed. Significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) were observed in G2 (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003 respectively) and G4 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001). However, no statistically significant change was observed in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG). No significant rise in serum creatinine (p = 0.08) and liver function tests were observed. And it is not found any statistically significant change of FBS before and after the treatment Conclusions: Combined therapy of Ezetimibe 10 mg with Atorvastatin 20 mg or 40 mg would be significantly reduce the TC and LDL in the patients with IHD. But it does not the improve HDL and TG levels. Use of Atorvastatin 10 mg and 30 mg did not show any significant improvement of entire lipid profile.