CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .
Virtual histology evaluation of atherosclerosis regression during atorvastatin and ezetimibe administration: HEAVEN study.
BACKGROUND There is no study focusing on changes in coronary atherosclerosis during dual lipid-lowering therapy with statin and ezetimibe . METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-nine patients with stable angina r and omized in a 1:1 ratio to Group A ( aggressive therapy : atorvastatin  80 mg , ezetimibe 10 mg ) and Group S  ( st and ard therapy )  were analyzed . Treatment period was 12 months . Coronary arteries were examined by intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology . We found a decrease in the percent atheroma volume ( PAV ) ( -0.4 % ) in Group A compared with an increase ( + 1.4 % ) in Group S ( P=0.014 ) and this was accompanied by an increased frequency of combined atherosclerosis regression ( increased lumen volume+decreased PAV ) in group A ( 40.5 % ) compared with group S ( 14.9 % ) ( P=0.007 ) . The target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level < 2mmol/L , presence of at least 4 of 5 atherosclerotic risk factors , and decreased level of vascular cellular adhesive molecule were independent predictors of plaque regression . There were no significant differences in plaque composition between the 2 groups over the study duration . However , during analysis of the 2 groups together , fibrous and fibro-fatty tissues decreased and dense calcification and necrotic core increased during follow-up . CONCLUSIONS Dual lipid-lowering therapy starts atherosclerosis regression , but does not lead to significant changes in plaque composition . The continuous shift in plaque from fibro and fibro-fatty to necrotic with calcification was present in both groups
CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .