Japan Assessment of Pitavastatin and Atorvastatin in Acute Coronary Syndrome (JAPAN-ACS) Rationale and Design

Katsumi Miyauchi; Takeshi Kimura; Takeshi Morimoto; Yoshihisa Nakagawa; Masakazu Yamagishi; Yukio Ozaki; Takafumi Hiro; Hiroyuki Daida; Masunori Matsuzaki

doi:10.1253/circj.70.1624

Clinical Investigation

Japan Assessment of Pitavastatin and Atorvastatin in Acute Coronary Syndrome (JAPAN-ACS)

Rationale and Design

Katsumi Miyauchi, Takeshi Kimura, Takeshi Morimoto, Yoshihisa Nakagawa, Masakazu Yamagishi, Yukio Ozaki, Takafumi Hiro, Hiroyuki Daida, Masunori Matsuzaki

Author information

Katsumi Miyauchi
Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
Takeshi Kimura
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
Takeshi Morimoto
Center for Medical Education, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
Yoshihisa Nakagawa
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
Masakazu Yamagishi
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine
Yukio Ozaki
Division of Cardiology, Fujita Health University
Takafumi Hiro
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine
Hiroyuki Daida
Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
Masunori Matsuzaki
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, Atherosclerosis, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, Intravascular ultrasound, Plaque

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2006 Volume 70 Issue 12 Pages 1624-1628

DOI https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.70.1624

[Correction] Circ J Vol.71 (2007) No.1 p.172

Details

Abstract

Background Many trials have shown that 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. One method of decreasing the incidence of cardiovascular events could be to reduce the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, and a recent study found that atorvastatin can cause coronary plaque to regress. To generalize this finding, using conventional HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors at many Japanese centers, randomized trials of pitavastatin and atorvastatin will be conducted with patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and Results Patients with ACS who have undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention under intravascular ultrasound guidance will be studied. They will be randomly allocated to pitavastatin or atorvastatin groups and followed up for 8-12 months. The primary endpoint will be the percent change in coronary plaque volume, and secondary endpoints will include absolute changes in coronary plaque volume, serum lipid levels and inflammatory markers. The safety profile will also be evaluated. Conclusions This study will examine the ability of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to regress coronary plaque in Japanese patients with ACS and the findings should help to improve the prognosis of such patients and clarify the involved mechanisms. (Circ J 2006; 70: 1624 - 1628)

Corresponding author

Register with J-STAGE for free!