Abstract 9757: Randomized Trial of Ezetimibe versus Nutraceuticals in Statin-intolerant Patients Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Treatment with statins has a class IA indication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but it's often discontinued by patients (pts) due to side effects. Pharmacologic alternatives, including ezetimibe and nutraceuticals (i.e. compounds derived from foods with cholesterol lowering actions), have been shown to be useful after PCI. However, which of these 2 therapeutic approaches is more effective after PCI is still not known. To clarify this point, a prospective, randomized pilot trial has been performed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of ezetimibe vs. a nutraceutical-based protocol in statin-intolerant pts treated with PCI. Methods. At time of PCI, 100 pts, with stable angina who had previously experienced statin withdrawn for intolerance, were selected. Pts were randomized to receive for 3 months either ezetimibe (10 mg/day) or a commercially available nutraceutical combined pill (1 capsule/day containing red yeast rice 200 mg, policosanol 10 mg, and berberine 500 mg). Primary outcome ...