The impact of effective lipid-lowering therapy on the prognosis in patients who have suffered ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective. To study the dynamics of quality of life, exercise tolerance, parameters of central and peripheral blood pressure, adverse cardiovascular events depending on the achievement and maintenance of the target level (TL) of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) against the background of 48-week high-dose therapy with atorvastatin.
Design and methods. In total, 141 patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation were included. Within 48 weeks patients received atorvastatin 40–80 mg/day. A comprehensive examination was performed on days 7–9, after 24 and 48 weeks. After 192 weeks the endpoints were assessed.
Results. The study was completed by 125 people (88,7 %). The patients were divided into groups: “А” (n = 41) — with achieved TL of LDL after 24 and 48 weeks; “PA” (n = 35) — partially achieved TL of LDL — on one of two visits; “NA” (n = 49) — not achieved TL. According to the Minnesota questionnaire, the symptoms of chronic heart failure increased in the groups “PA” (+53,5 %; p = 0,009) and “NA” (+75 %; p = 0,001). During applanation tonometry in the “PA” group, the number of people with elevated pulse pressure in the aorta increased. In the “NA” group, an increase in cases of normal and elevated central aortic systolic, pulse pressure was diagnosed. After 192 weeks the frequency of endpoints in the “PA” and “NA” groups was 38,1 % vs 17,1 % in the “А” group (p = 0,017); the odds ratio was 3,0 (95 % confidence interval 1,2–7,5).
Conclusions. Our study demonstrated the most favorable clinical profile and prognosis in patients who achieved and maintained LDL for 48 weeks treatment.

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