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Healthy ageing: addressing acute coronary syndrome?

A. Gaw*

Clinical Trials Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland, U.K.

* Correspondence: A. Gaw, MD, PhD, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland, G4 0SF, U.K.

Abstract

Acute coronary syndromes contribute significantly to the patterns of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. A meta-analysis of the pathology of acute myocardial infarction has shown that 80–90% of episodes result from the rupture of small, unstable lesions that cause <70% diameter stenosis. Statins have been shown to stabilize the architecture of atherosclerotic plaques in humans and in animals. Statin treatment has also been shown to restore endothelial function, inhibit platelet thrombus formation and exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Collectively, these data support the use of statin therapy in those at risk for acute coronary syndromes, of whom the elderly are foremost.

Key Words: acute coronary syndromes • atherosclerosis • 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) • pleiotropic effects • pravastatin


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