Rosuvastatin reduces cardiac events in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease

Rosuvastatin calcium was recently reported to be safe and to reduce cardiac events in diabetic patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) in a subgroup analysis from the AURORA trial. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing HD were randomized to receive rosuvastatin calcium (10 mg/day, n = 388) or placebo (n = 343). Following 3 months of treatment, there was a 25.2% reduction in the levels of total cholesterol and a 39.1% decrease in LDL-cholesterol in the rosuvastatin calcium-treated group. A significant reduction in the occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiac events (32%, P = 0.0079) was seen in the rosuvastatin calcium arm of the trial. The incidence of adverse events was similar between groups (Holdaas, H. et al. Renal Week (Oct 27-Nov 1, San Diego) 2009, Abst F-FC173).