Background: Residual risk of cardiovascular disease from increased small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL)-cholesterol levels and low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels is a considerable therapeutic issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statins and supplemental eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on sdLDL cholesterol and absorption of EPA in patients with coronary artery disease.
Methods: The study population consisted of ten male patients who were concurrently receiving statins and EPA 1,800 mg/day. Serum lipids and PUFAs, including EPA and arachidonic acid, were measured in blood samples collected before ezetimibe (baseline), 4 weeks after starting 10-mg/day ezetimibe, and 4 weeks after discontinuing ezetimibe.
Results: Ezetimibe significantly decreased sdLDL-cholesterol levels after 4 weeks of treatment (baseline 35 ± 13 mg/dl; treatment 27 ± 9 mg/dl), but the levels returned to baseline after discontinuation of ezetimibe (37 ± 13 mg/dl). The concentration of EPA did not significantly change during the study.
Conclusion: Ezetimibe shows great promise as an add-on therapy to statins to reduce sdLDL-cholesterol-related residual risk of cardiovascular disease without affecting absorption of supplemental EPA in patients with coronary artery disease.