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 ) .
Effect of Ezetimibe Coadministered With Atorvastatin in 628 Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial
Background —Despite the established efficacy of statins , many patients do not achieve recommended LDL cholesterol ( LDL-C ) goals . Contributing factors may be inadequate dosing , increased risk for adverse effects with high-dose monotherapy , and increased potential for intolerance and adverse effects with combinations of available agents . Methods and Results —In a double-blind study , 628 patients with baseline LDL-C 145 to 250 mg/dL and triglycerides ≤350 mg/dL were r and omly assigned to receive 1 of the following for 12 weeks : ezetimibe ( 10 mg/d ) ; atorvastatin ( 10 , 20 , 40 , or 80 mg/d ) ; ezetimibe ( 10 mg ) plus atorvastatin ( 10 , 20 , 40 , or 80 mg/d ) ; or placebo . The primary efficacy end point was percentage reduction in LDL-C for pooled ezetimibe plus atorvastatin versus pooled atorvastatin treatment groups . Ezetimibe plus atorvastatin significantly improved LDL-C , HDL cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , triglycerides , total cholesterol : HDL-C , and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) compared with atorvastatin alone ( P < 0.01 ) . Coadministration of ezetimibe provided a significant additional 12 % LDL-C reduction , 3 % HDL-C increase , 8 % triglyceride reduction , and 10 % hs-CRP reduction versus atorvastatin alone . Ezetimibe plus atorvastatin  provided LDL-C reductions of 50 % to 60 % , triglyceride reductions of 30 % to 40 % , and HDL-C increases of 5 % to 9 % , depending on atorvastatin dose . LDL-C reductions with ezetimibe plus 10 mg atorvastatin ( 50 % ) and 80 mg atorvastatin alone ( 51 % ) were similar . Conclusions —Ezetimibe plus atorvastatin was well tolerated , with a safety profile similar to atorvastatin alone and to placebo . When coadministered with atorvastatin , ezetimibe provided significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and triglycerides and increases in HDL-C. Coadministration of ezetimibe and atorvastatin offers a well-tolerated and highly efficacious new treatment option for patients with hypercholesterolemia
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 ) .