Early intensive statin treatment for six months improves long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (Extended-ESTABLISH trial): A follow-up study

BackgroundThe ESTABLISH trial found using volumetric intravascular ultrasound that atorvastatin therapy started early and continued for 6 months significantly reduced plaque volume in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the benefits of early statin administration on long-term outcomes remain unclear. We therefore examined whether the early initiation of statin in patients with ACS improves long-term prognosis.Methods and resultsThe Extended-ESTABLISH trial included 180 patients with ACS who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). These patients were randomized here to groups given either early intensive lipid-lowering therapy (n = 90; atorvastatin 20 mg/day) or standard care (control, n = 90) within 48 h of events. Baseline characteristics between the two groups did not significantly differ at the time of ACS onset. Six months after PCI, all patients were treated with statins to achieve an LDL-C value of <100 mg/dL. We compared the first occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Prognostic data were fully documented during the entire follow-up period (mean, 1538 ± 707 days). Cumulative event-free survival was significantly higher in the atorvastatin, than in the control group (p = 0.041; log-rank test). Furthermore, by adjusting for validated prognosticators, early statin administration was identified as a good predictor of MACCE (HR 0.46, 95%CI 0.23-0.86; p = 0.015).ConclusionsIn-hospital initiation of statin therapy immediately after ACS conferred long-term benefits and 6 months of intensive lipid-lowering therapy improved long-term clinical outcomes after PCI in patients with ACS.