A REVIEW ON ROLE OF STATINS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are the most widely used drug all over the world, which reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with or at risk of coronary heart disease. Statins have emerged as the most prescribed drug in clinical practice due to their protective effects on various systems such as cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, haematology, hepatic, to name but few. Various studies have demonstrated their beneficial impact on both primary and secondary endpoints of cardiovascular disease. In addition, favorable effects on lipo-protein profile, statins also involves nonlipid mechanisms that modify endothelial function, smooth muscle cells, and monocyte-macrophage: vasomotor function, inflammatory responses, plaque stability; increased nitric oxide bioavailability and antioxidant properties; immunomodulation, and inhibiting expression of oncogenes. These Pleiotropic effects show the predominant use of statins in various clinical events.