High-dose simvastatin therapy effectiveness in early post-infarction angina treatment

Abstract

Aim. To study the early effects of simvastatin therapy (80 mg/d) on the clinical symptoms of early post-myocardial infarction (post-AMI) angina, as well as on the in-hospital prognosis.
Material and methods. In total, 60 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were divided into two groups: Group I (n=30) receiving standard therapy (simvastatin 20 mg/d) and Group II (n=30) receiving high doses of simvastatin (80 mg/d). Clinical symptoms of post-AMI angina were assessed using a scale by O.V. Voennov, at baseline and at Day 10 of the treatment. In-hospital prognosis was assessed by the following criteria: death, reinfarction, persistent angina, or a combination of these parameters.
Results. Aggressive statin therapy in Group II was associated with a significant decrease in post-AMI angina score (from 7,30±0,55 % to 1,20±0,37 %), reduced incidence of angina attacks at rest and after meals, and reduced pain intensity, compared to Group I. In-hospital incidence of reinfarction was 20,0±7,4 % (n=6) and 0 % (n=0) in Groups I and II, respectively (р=0,01).
Conclusion. High-dose simvastatin therapy (80 mg/d) demonstrated beneficial effects on clinical symptoms of post-AMI angina and in-hospital AMI prognosis, compared to the lower-dose simvastatin treatment (20 mg/d).