Lipid-independent pleiotropic effects of statins in the management of acute coronary coronary syndromes

Abstract

Acute coronary syndromes involve a complex interplay between the vessel wall, inflammatory cells, and the coagulation cascade. Statins possess beneficial effects that are independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering and that have favorable effects on inflammation, the endothelium, and the coagulation cascade. There is now accumulating evidence that these lipid-independent pleiotropic effects are clinically relevant in the management of acute coronary syndromes.