Conclusions Ezetimibe monotherapy ( 10 mg/day ) showed a small ( 7.06 % ) but statistically significant reduction in the plasma levels of Lp(a ) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia .
According to current literature , this magnitude of reduction seems to have no clinical relevance .
Background and Aims Ezetimibe reduces plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) levels by up to 20 % .
However , its effect on plasma lipoprotein(a ) [ Lp(a ) ] concentrations in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia has not been defined .
Objective Therefore , we performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to assess this effect based on the available r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
Effects of ezetimibe on plasma lipoproteins in severely hypercholesterolemic patients treated with regular LDL-apheresis and statins.
Ezetimibe , a cholesterol absorption inhibitor , can be combined with statins to lower LDL-cholesterol . We evaluated additional ezetimibe ( 10 mg/day ) in a placebo-controlled , double blind , r and omized cross-over study in 20 patients ( age 56+/-9 years , m : f 10:10 , BMI 27.5+/-4.0 kg/m(2 ) ) suffering from severe hypercholesterolemia and CHD who were treated by statins and regular LDL-apheresis .  Lipoproteins ( cholesterol , triglycerides , LDL-cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol , VLDL-cholesterol , VLDL-triglycerides , lipoprotein(a ) ) were determined twice ( before and during ezetimibe/placebo , each given for 5 weeks ) , dietary behaviour was analyzed once ( 3-days- protocol ) during each treatment period . During ezetimibe the mean ( + /-S.D. ) preapheresis LDL-cholesterol concentration decreased from 159+/-26 mg/dl ( 4.11+/-0.67 mmol/l ) to 133+/-28 mg/dl ( 3.44+/-0.72 mmol/l ) ( -16+/-11 % , P<0.0001 , Wilcoxon test ) and the postapheresis LDL-cholesterol from 51+/-9 mg/dl ( 1.32+/-0.23 mmol/l ) to 43+/-8 mg/dl ( 1.11+/-0.21 mmol/l ) ( -14+/-25 % , P<0.05 ) , while there was no significant change during placebo .  Mean VLDL-cholesterol fell by 18+/-71 % ( P<0.05 ) during ezetimibe and was not significantly changed by placebo ( + 19+/-70 % ) . Furthermore , during ezetimibe less plasma volume was treated ( 3725+/-1560 versus 3870+/-1549 ml , P<0.05 ) . Ezetimibe had no effect on pre- and postapheresis triglyceride , HDL-cholesterol and lipoprotein(a ) levels . The effect of ezetimibe was independent of the statin dose . Dietary behaviour did not change and no side effects were observed . Thus , in patients with severe LDL-hypercholesterolemia and CHD the addition of ezetimibe to intensive lipid lowering therapy ( statins and LDL-apheresis ) result ed in a further , clinical ly significant decrease of LDL-cholesterol
Conclusions Ezetimibe monotherapy ( 10 mg/day ) showed a small ( 7.06 % ) but statistically significant reduction in the plasma levels of Lp(a ) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia .
According to current literature , this magnitude of reduction seems to have no clinical relevance .
Background and Aims Ezetimibe reduces plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) levels by up to 20 % .
However , its effect on plasma lipoprotein(a ) [ Lp(a ) ] concentrations in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia has not been defined .
Objective Therefore , we performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to assess this effect based on the available r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) .