Effects of fluvastatin and bezafibrate combination on plasma fibrinogen, t-plasminogen activator inhibitor and C reactive protein levels in coronary artery disease patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia (FACT study)

Aim of the study: We studied the effects of fluvastatin and bezafibrate in monotherapy and in combination on plasma fibrinogen, t-plasminogen activato r inhibitor (PAI-I) and C reactive protein (CRP) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and mixed hyperlipidaemia. Design. In this randomised, double blind, multicentre trial 333 patients with stable angina pectoris o r previous myocardial infarction or coronary revascularisation and mixed hy perlipidaemia (LDL-cholesterol 135-250 mg/dl and triglycerides (TG) 180-400 mg/dl) were randomised to fluvastatin 40 mg, bezafibrate 400 mg, fluvastat in 20 mg + bezafibrate 400 mg or fluvastatin 40 mg + bezafibrate 400 mg tre atments for 24 weeks. Results. Plasma fibrinogen significantly decreased af ter treatment with the combinations fluvastatintbezafibrate (-14 and -16%) and with bezafibrate monotherapy (-9%). No significant reduction was observ ed after fluvastatin monotherapy (-4%). No significant changes were observe d in PAI-1 and CRP plasma levels. Combination therapy significantly decreas ed both LDL-C and TG, and significantly increased HDL-C. Conclusions. The c ombined effects on fibrinogen and plasma lipids achieved by fluvastatin and bezafibrate combination treatment might be more useful than the simple red uction of cholesterol in preventing ischaemic cardiovascular disease.