Based on moderate quality evidence , due to concerns about risk of bias and imprecision , initiation of statin therapy within 14 days following ACS does not reduce death , myocardial infa rct ion , or stroke up to four months , but reduces the occurrence of unstable angina at four months following ACS .
Serious side effects were rare
BACKGROUND The early period following the onset of acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) represents a critical stage of coronary heart disease , with a high risk of recurrent events and deaths .
The short-term effects of early treatment with statins on patient-relevant outcomes in patients suffering from ACS are unclear .
This is an up date of a review previously published in 2011 .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of early administered statins in patients with ACS , in terms of mortality and cardiovascular events .
Effects of atorvastatin 80 mg daily early after onset of unstable angina pectoris or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.
This clinical investigation was design ed and undertaken to test the hypothesis that the addition of high-dose atorvastatin ( 80 mg/day ) to conventional medical treatment early after either unstable angina pectoris ( UAP ) or non – Q-wave acute myocardial infa rct ion ( AMI ) could reduce ischemic recurrences .  All patients consecutively admitted to our institution between January 1999 and July 2001 for UAP or non – Q-wave AMI were prospect ively screened for inclusion in the study . In all cases the diagnosis of UAP or non – Q-wave AMI was made in accordance with previously reported criteria . 1 To be enrolled in the trial , patients were required to meet the following criteria : ( 1 ) angiographic evidence of severe and diffuse coronary artery disease , that was not amenable to direct revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty  , as determined by a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist during the index admission ; ( 2 ) objective evidence of symptomatic reversible myocardial ischemia ( 0.1 mV ST-segment depression on the electrocardiogram ) at a low exercise workload ( 4 METs ) while receiving medical treatment ( 2 antianginal medications at maximal tolerated doses ) , as assessed by treadmill ergometry ( Bruce ’s protocol ) before discharge ; and ( 3 ) left ventricular ejection fraction 35 % . Exclusion criteria were the presence of congestive heart failure , the need for continuous use of intravenous antianginal medications , and the presence of any major concurrent illness . The study was planned as an open-label , prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled trial with parallel groups . Before enrollment , all patients were receiving maximal conventional combination therapy ( nitrates , calcium antagonists , and blockers ) , including 2 medications at maximal tolerated doses in all cases . All patients provided informed consent to take part in the investigation . At discharge from the hospital , included
Based on moderate quality evidence , due to concerns about risk of bias and imprecision , initiation of statin therapy within 14 days following ACS does not reduce death , myocardial infa rct ion , or stroke up to four months , but reduces the occurrence of unstable angina at four months following ACS .
Serious side effects were rare
BACKGROUND The early period following the onset of acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) represents a critical stage of coronary heart disease , with a high risk of recurrent events and deaths .
The short-term effects of early treatment with statins on patient-relevant outcomes in patients suffering from ACS are unclear .
This is an up date of a review previously published in 2011 .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of early administered statins in patients with ACS , in terms of mortality and cardiovascular events .