Pravastatin reduces restenosis two years after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasly (REGRESS trial)

The Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study (REGRESS) is a placebo-contro lled multicenter study designed to assess the effect of 2-year treatment wi th pravastatin on the progression and regression of angiographically docume nted coronary artery disease. One of the secondary end points was the occur rence of 2-year restenosis in the percutaneous transluminal coronary angiop lasty (PTCA) block. We randomly assigned eligible patients to receive prava statin 40 mg once daily or placebo. The end point was the percent diameter stenosis of the target lesion at 24 months, as assessed by (semi)quantitati ve coronary angiography, Two hundred twenty-one patients underwent schedule d PTCA, which was considered successful in 201 patients, One hundred sevent y-eight patients underwent angiographic restudy (89%). The patients in the pravastatin group (n = 109) and placebo group (n = 112) were similar at bas eline. Percent diameter stenosis before angioplasty was 78 +/- 14% (mean +/ - SD) in the pravastatin group and 80 +/- 14% in the placebo group (p = 0.4 6), At follow-up, the percent diameter stenosis was 32 +/- 23% in the prava statin group and 45 +/- 29% in the placebo group (p < 0.001), Clinical rest enosis was significantly lower in the pravastatin group (7%) compared with the placebo group (29%) (p < 0.001), Risk reduction for all events was 58%, We conclude that treatment with pravastatin reduces 2-year clinical and an giographic restenosis, (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medico, Inc.