Pravastatin reduces restenosis two years after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (REGRESS Trial)

The Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study (REGRESS) is a placebo-controlled multicenter study designed to assess the effect of 2-year treatment with pravastatin on the progression and regression of angiographically documented coronary artery disease. One of the secondary end points was the occurrence of 2-year restenosis in the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) block. We randomly assigned eligible patients to receive pravastatin 40 mg once daily or placebo. The end point was the percent diameter stenosis of the target lesion at 24 months, as assessed by (semi)quantitative coronary angiography. Two hundred twenty-one patients underwent scheduled PTCA, which was considered successful in 201 patients. One hundred seventy-eight patients underwent angiographic restudy (89%). The patients in the pravastatin group (n = 109) and placebo group (n = 112) were similar at baseline. Percent diameter stenosis before angioplasty was 78 ± 14% (mean ± SD) in the pravastatin group and 80 ± 14% in the placebo group (p = 0.46). At follow-up, the percent diameter stenosis was 32 ± 23% in the pravastatin group and 45 ± 29% in the placebo group (p <0.001). Clinical restenosis was significantly lower in the pravastatin group (7%) compared with the placebo group (29%) (p <0.001). Risk reduction for all events was 58%. We conclude that treatment with pravastatin reduces 2-year clinical and angiographic restenosis.