Statins and percutaneous coronary intervention: a complementary synergy.

The inclusion of statins and stents in coronary disease management during the 1980s has marked a dramatic change in the natural history of the disease. Separately, each of these therapies have progressed rapidly and have achieved a prime position in the current armamentarium. The simultaneous use of statins in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures with stent implantation has shown a significant beneficial synergistic effect by reducing ischemia and necrosis, and improving coronary blood flow in patients with stable coronary disease, as well as in acute coronary syndromes. The use of high dose statins in conjunction with coronary angioplasty with stent implantation has shown great efficacy and safety in patients with severe coronary disease.