Potent anti-ischaemic effects of statins in chronic stable angina: incremental benefit beyond lipid lowering?
Abstrakt
The DoUble-blind Atorvastatin AmLodipine (DUAAL) trial investigated whether atorvastatin decreases ischaemia by a vascular benefit, independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), both alone and in combination with the traditional anti-anginal therapy, amlodipine. Methods and results Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicountry trial (2 weeks run-in and 24 weeks active therapy) comparing three treatments: amlodipine, atorvastatin, and amlodipine + atorvastatin; in 311 patients (78% male; mean age 62 years) with stable angina (>/=2 attacks/week), CAD history, >/=3 transient myocardial ischaemia (TMI) episodes, and/or >/=15 min ischaemia on 48 h ambulatory electrocardiographic (AECG) monitoring.
Efficacy variables were change in TMI by AECG, exercise ischaemia, angina diary data, and inflammatory biomarkers at Week 26. There was a comparable, highly significant decrease in TMI with amlodipine and atorvastatin, but no additional benefit for the combination.
More than 50% of patients became TMI-free in all three groups and this was accompanied by a comparable, marked reduction in angina and nitroglycerin consumption. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein fell by 40% in patients receiving atorvastatin but there was no change with amlodipine.
Adverse events were comparable among groups. Conclusion Atorvastatin was as potent an anti-ischaemic agent as amlodipine.
Future studies of combination therapies will be instructive.