Intensive LOwering of BlOod pressure and low-density lipoprotein ChOlesterol with statin theraPy (LOBOCOP) may improve neointimal formation after coronary stenting in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the benefits of intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statin and intensive blood pressure (BP)-lowering therapy as aggressive medical interventions after stent implantation.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients with coronary artery disease initially received statin immediately after successful stent implantation. They were divided into intensive therapy (IT group, n = 27; therapeutic target levels of LDL-C and BP were 60 mg/dl and <120/80 mmHg at follow-up coronary angiography, respectively, 6-8 months after stent implantation) and conventional therapy groups (CT group, n = 27; target levels of LDL-C and BP were 100 mg/dl and <130/85 mmHg, respectively). Additional antihypertensive therapy with angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers was begun according to the BP levels.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the levels of LDL-C at follow-up between the IT and CT groups [average, 68+/-10 (cut-off value,>or=83.4) mg/dl and 102+/-14 (<83.4) mg/dl, respectively]. Percentage diameter stenosis (P = 0.039) and diastolic BP (P = 0.005) in the IT group were significantly decreased compared with those in the CT group at follow-up. In addition, percentage diameter stenosis was most significantly related to the level of LDL-C (P = 0.03) among other metabolic factors (BP, body mass index, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, and adiponectin) at follow-up as assessed by a stepwise multivariable regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that intensive lowering of LDL-C by statin decreased the neointimal formation after stent implantation, and an LDL-C level of at least 83.4 mg/dl was the most acceptable clinical therapeutic target at follow-up.