Effect of Upstream Treatment With High Intensity Statin on the Outcomes of ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Inflammation plays a key role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis(.T lymphocytes are among the earliest cells to be recruited into the atherosclerotic plaque.The combination of macrophages and lymphocytes in vulnerable plaque is associated with the secretion of cytokines and lytic enzymes that result in thinning of the fibrous cap, predisposing a lesion to rupture.The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an indicator of systemic inflammation and a prognostic marker in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).In previous studies, the NLR has been demonstrated to be related to in-hospital cardiovascular mortality and long-term mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

In addition to its beneficial lipid modulation effects, statins exert a variety of pleiotropic actions such as inflammatory inhibition, antiventricular remodeling, improving vascular endothelial function, and antioxidant effects. Because ofitsmultiple functions, atorvastatin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality both in primary and secondary prevention. The Myocardial Ischemia Reduction with Aggressive Cholesterol Lowering (MIRACL)study demonstrated thatatorvastatin 80 mg which was given during the first days after an ACS decreased the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This effect was observed as early as 6 weeks after randomization and was significant at 16 weeks. Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty (ARMYDA) trial demonstrated a reduction in peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI preloaded by high potency statins atorvastatin 80 mg. The ARMYDARECAPTURE study showed a reduction in 30 days MACE in patients with stable angina or with non-ST elevation MI who were previously treated with statins and were reloaded with high potency statins.

The prompt effect that was observed with high-potency statins is one of the cornerstones of the plaque stabilization hypothesis, in which a clinical effect is demonstrated well before the low levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) can affect plaque progression.

The effect of high vs. low potency statins in ACS was examined by the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin. ThePCI PROVE IT, a sub-study of the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial, demonstrated that patients pretreated with high potency statins before PCI had a significantly lower rate of target vessel revascularization. TheIn-vitro models showed that statins given prior to PCI decrease distal embolization and increase circulating endothelial progenitor cells, thus potentially increase endothelial healing following the injury caused by PCI. In addition, patients undergoing elective PCI, which were pre-treated with statins, had less microcirculatory resistance compared to placebo.

Conversely, the STATIN STEMI Trial did not show a significant reduction of MACEs in patients preloaded with high-dose (80 mg) versus low-dose (10 mg) atorvastatin before primary PCI (5.8% versus 0.6%, p=0.26) but showed improved immediate coronary flow after primary PCI.