Recent media reports have kindled a controversy over the effectiveness of the combination of ezetimibe with high dose simvastatin, versus the use of simvastatin alone, in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. The European Society of Cardiology urges patients not to take any decisions without discussing their particular case beforehand with their physician. Patients with high cholesterol levels should not stop taking their prescribed medication. The ENHANCE (Effects of Combination Ezetimibe and High-Dose Simvastatin versus Simvastatin Alone on the Atherosclerotic Process in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia) trial is only one of the ongoing studies on the use of ezetimibe. The subject is being considered for discussion in our upcoming Congress and will be addressed in our peer reviewed journals.
Authors: ESC Press Office press@escardio.org Tel: +33 4 9294 8627