THE CLINICAL THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE SCANDINAVIAN SIMVASTATINSURVIVAL STUDY

This analysis of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) desc ribes how the design, implementation, and results answer most question s or concerns of practicing physicians regarding practicality and adva ntages of blood cholesterol-lowering drug intervention in patients who already have coronary artery disease. The results demonstrated that a drug with the safety and efficacy profile of simvastatin, utilized as it would be in a physician's office, can improve mortality and morbid ity in patients with existing coronary disease without important side effects, and reduce hospitalizations for patients with coronary heart disease.