Management of Statin Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Rosuvastatin Therapy Considerations

The American College of Cardiology recommends that patients with atherosclerotic heart disease and fixed mild defects on SPECT should continue statin therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk, as seen in patients with established coronary artery disease 1
Patients with established coronary artery disease, such as those with a history of myocardial infarction, should maintain statin therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality, according to the American College of Cardiology 1, 2
The American College of Cardiology suggests that patients with well-controlled LDL levels, such as 66 mg/dL, on rosuvastatin 10mg, are receiving effective cardiovascular protection 1

The American College of Cardiology recommends temporarily discontinuing statin therapy in patients experiencing muscle symptoms, until symptoms can be evaluated, as a measure to mitigate potential side effects 3, 4
The American College of Cardiology suggests resuming a lower dose of rosuvastatin, such as 5mg, after discontinuation and resolution of symptoms, to minimize side effects while maintaining cardiovascular protection 5, 2

The American College of Cardiology recommends evaluating patients for other conditions that might increase the risk for muscle symptoms, such as hypothyroidism or reduced renal function, before making any changes to statin therapy 3, 2

The American College of Cardiology advises that abruptly stopping statin therapy can increase cardiovascular risk, especially in patients with established heart disease, and that any changes to statin therapy should be done under medical supervision 1, 2
The American College of Cardiology states that the benefits of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular events typically outweigh the risks of side effects, particularly in patients with established coronary artery disease 1, 2