Statin therapy alters the relationship between apolipoprotein B and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets in high-risk patients: the MERCURY II (Measuring Effective Reductions in Cholesterol Using Rosuvastatin) trial

The purpose of this analysis was to compare concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) before and during statin therapy. Reducing LDL-C to a pre-determined goal may still leave an excess of atherogenic lipoproteins, as reflected in apoB levels. The MERCURY II (Measuring Effective Reductions in Cholesterol Using Rosuvastatin therapY II) trial examined the effects of statin treatment in patients with high coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, LDL-C > or =130 and