The relationship between reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by statins and reduction in risk of cardiovascular outcomes: An updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: In 2005, the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' Collaboration (CTTC) quantified the relationship between reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) achieved by statin treatment and reduction in cardiovascular risk. Since this publication, several large statin trials have been reported. Objective: The objective of our analysis was to extend the CTTC results by including active-controlled trials and other trials published since 2005. Methods: A literature search in English (1966-December 2008) was undertaken of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Derwent drug file databases, and the Cochrane library using standard MESH terms (cardiovascular disease, death, fatal outcome, pravastatin, simv..