First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 Casebook – Statins

A woman rushes her 65-year-old husband into the emergency department after he said he felt crushing chest pain while eating a steak. Blood work is ordered and the physician finds that the man’s cholesterol is very high and that the man most likely had an acute myocardial infarction because of the finding of elevated enzymes. After consultation, the man is put on statins to lower his cholesterol level and told to avoid a fatty diet.

>>>What are statins?

Statins are a class of hypolipidemic agents. They act to lower cholesterol by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.

>>>How do statins affect LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels?

Statins decrease LDL levels greatly. They have been shown to mildly increase HDL levels and to decrease triglycerides as well.

>>>What is the most effective agent for increasing HDL cholesterol levels?

Niacin has been shown to increase HDL better than most other drugs.

>>>What agent is best suited for decreasing triglyceride levels?

A class of drugs known as “fibrates,” including gemfibrozil and clofibrate, has been shown to greatly diminish triglyceride levels.

>>>What are some of the side effects of statins?

Side effects of this class of drugs include myositis and a reversible increase in liver function tests such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.

>>>Why is it dangerous to combine statins and fibrates?

This drug combination significantly increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

This case study was contributed by Rakesh Razdan Ahuja, class of 2010, Yale University School of Medicine; in association with Le TT, Takiar V, eds: First Aid Cases for the USMLE Step 1. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

This practice case study is representative of the studies available in the First Aid™ Cases for the USMLE Step 1.  First Aid™ Cases for the USMLE Step 1 features 400 well-illustrated cases to help you relate basic science concepts to clinical situations. Each case includes drawings or clinical images with Q&As that reinforce key concepts. Get more Step 1 study help at USMLE-Rx.com.

Discussion

2 thoughts on “First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 Casebook – Statins”

  1. this book is really a good book

    bought it on 2009 but it is really a good one

    full of clinically related cases written in a good way

    but the problem is just it have about 600 case

    i think more cases would make it too big

  2. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

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