Kyoto, Japan, Monday 29 September 2003. New data presented at the XIIIth International Symposium on Atherosclerosis (ISA) show AstraZeneca's highly effective statin CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) achieves more favourable effects on apolipoprotein and lipid ratios than the same and some higher doses of other widely available statins.1,2 Data also show greater improvements in apolipoprotein and lipid ratios for patients switched to CRESTOR 10mg from the most commonly prescribed doses of these other statins.3,4

LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C or 'bad' cholesterol), the principle atherogenic lipoprotein, remains the primary target for international and national guidelines aimed at lowering cardiovascular risk.5, 6 The protein components of lipoproteins are called apolipoproteins and, although currently not often measured in clinical practice, the amounts of apolipoproteins circulating in the blood are directly related to the levels of corresponding lipoproteins and may be a more useful predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.7, 8 Raised levels of apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) are linked to an increase in HDL levels, which is associated with a decreased risk of atherosclerosis,9,10 whereas apolipoprotein B (Apo B) has been suggested to be a better marker of CVD risk than total cholesterol (TC) or LDL-C because it more accurately reflects the presence of all atherogenic lipoproteins.7,8,11,12 Assessment of the ratio of lipids or apolipoproteins may provide a refined assessment of CVD risk as it reflects the proportion of both atherogenic and cardioprotective lipids or apolipoproteins.7,8, 11-13

Data presented from the STELLAR study show that CRESTOR 10-40mg has more favourable effects on the atherogenic Apo B, the cardioprotective Apo A-I, and the Apo B:Apo A-I ratio in patients with hypercholesterolaemia than the same and some higher doses of atorvastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin.1 CRESTOR 10mg also had a significantly more favourable effect on
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Contact: Stephanie Martin
stephanie.martin@shirehealthinternational.com
020-7471-1500
Shire Health International
1-Oct-2003

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