[Comparative study of gemfibrozil versus pravastatin in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL cholesterol levels].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of gemfibrozil and pravastatin in coronary artery disease patients with HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) < 35 mg/dl). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (20 males, 60 +/- 9) were divided in a gemfibrozil group (G) (1200 mg/day n = 15) and a pravastatin group (P) (10 or 20 mg n = 10 and 4, respectively). The plasma lipid profile (LP) e.g. total cholesterol (TC), fractions and triglycerides (TG) was determined at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: HDL-C was not affected in P, TC and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) reductions were superior to those in G (31.3% vs 13.4% and 38.7 and 11.5%, p < 0.05 and < 0.01 respectively). In G HDL-C raised by 50% (12th week p < 0.01). Gemfibrozil reduced TG levels in 44.7% while in P it varied -32.2% (12th week p < 0.01 and < 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: Gemfibrozil is more effective in reducing TG and raising HDL-C than pravastatin. On the other hand, pravastatin was more potent in reducing LDL-C levels.