[A comparison of bezafibrate and lovastatin treatment at the usual doses in post-heart transplant hyperlipemia].

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery disease is a major limiting factor for long-term survival after heart transplantation. Hyperlipidemia is a probable risk factor for coronary artery disease in this kind of patient. Bezafibrate and lovastatin have proved to be effective in lowering total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The present study tested the safety and efficacy of both drugs on lipid levels in 21 patients with post-heart transplantation hyperlipidemia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients maintained the same diet for three months. Then, they were randomized to lovastatin (20 mg/day) or bezafibrate (400 mg/day) for 8 weeks, and then, crossovered to an additional 8 weeks of bezafibrate or lovastatin.

RESULTS

Both drugs were effective in lowering total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoprotein B concentrations, but the effect of lovastatin was significantly greater. Only bezafibrate produced a significant reduction in total triglycerides and a significant rise in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoprotein AI. The total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were decreased under both treatments.

CONCLUSION

Both drugs, bezafibrate and lovastatin appear to be safe, effective and well-tolerated therapies for hyperlipidemia in cardiac transplant recipients.