Poster No. 047 A comparative study of high-intensity statin therapy in post-acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program

Aggressive lipid lowering has been shown to be a crucial part of secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The selection of the best lipid-lowering agents is controversial, with some trials showing rosuvastatin as more efficacious in improving lipid profile compared to atorvastatin, others showing no difference. Another concern is the impact of statin therapy on the reduction of muscle oxidative capacity, and, consequently, on functional capacity.

This study aimed to analyse the differences in lipid profile and physical capacity in post-ACS patients undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program (CPR), medicated with rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin.

A retrospective analysis of patients in phase 2 of CRP between 2017 and 2020 was performed. Two groups were created: group 1 for patients under atorvastatin 40 mg and group 2 under rosuvastatin 20 mg. Variables were analysed at the beginning and the end of phase 2, 12 weeks later. A P-value < 0.05 is statistically significant.

A total of 98 patients completed phase 2 of CRP, of which 14 are part of group 1, 67 of group 2, and 17 users of other lipid-lowering drugs. Table 1 shows the main characteristics. Univariate (table 2) and multivariate analyses show no differences regarding lipid profile or functional activity between groups.

In conclusion, in this group of patients, high-intensity rosuvastatin and atorvastatin in secondary prevention post-ACS had a comparable impact on lipidic profile, without a significant difference in functional activity, independently of age, sex or comorbidities. Larger randomized prospective trials, including phase 3 of CRP, are needed to confirm these results.