Efficiency of 1-year treatment with fluvastatin in hyperlipidemic patientswith nephrotic syndrome

term administration of fluvastatin in patients with nephrotic syndrome appe ars to be an effective and safe treatment of the hyperlipidemia associated with this disorder. The influence of fluvastatin, a liver-selective, compet itive inhibitor of the 3-hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, on th e lipoprotein metabolism was investigated in 9 patients with nephrotic synd rome. All patients had biopsy-proven renal disease as cause of their nephro tic syndrome and exhibited severe hyperlipidemia [baseline: serum cholester ol 358 +/- 46 mg/dl (9.3 mmol/l), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 236 /- 18 mg/dl (6.1 mmol/l), triglyerides 333 +/- 28 mg/dl (3.8 mmol/l), and l ipoprotein Lp(a) 46 +/- 11 mg/dl]. After 1 year of 40 mg of fluvastatin, si gnificant reductions of total cholesterol by 31% to 242 +/- 26 mg/dl (6.3 m mol/l) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 29% to 162 +/- 12 mg/dl ( 4.2 mmol/l) were observed. Furthermore, triglyceride values were also lower ed significantly by 19% to 268 +/- 21 mg/dl (3.1 mmol/l). Lipoprotein Lp(a) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol remained unchanged by fluvastatin . These improvements in lipid profile were maintained during the entire fol low-up period of 1 year. There were no adverse events, and the slight incre ase in serum creatinine observed during the study was considered to be due to the primary renal disease. In conclusion, longterm administration of flu vastatin in patients with nephrotic syndrome appears to be an effective and safe treatment of the hyperlipidemia associated with this disorder.