高清福利片

Heart attack survivor Kenneth O鈥橪oughlin is cheering the life-saving results of the pioneered by University of Sydney researchers at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC).

Following a heart attack in 1991, Mr O鈥橪oughlin joined the Long-term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease (LIPID) study鈥攖he first to investigate the survival effects of statins (cholesterol lowering medication) in lowering average cholesterol levels in people who had experienced a cardiovascular event such as angina or a heart attack.

The findings of the LIPID study changed heart health in Australia forever by significantly reducing the prevalence of strokes and heart attacks.

Whereas previous studies had looked at using statins to reduce cholesterol in people who had high blood cholesterol levels, the LIPID trial focussed on people with more average blood readings.

The LIPID trial was an ambitious, long-running landmark Australian study 鈥� to this day, one of the largest run in the country.

It also led directly to changes in clinical practice in Australasia and around the world, as well as statins being subsidised by the PBS for these patients in Australia.

The study was first published in the prestigious international journal the New England Journal of Medicine in October 1998.

said: 鈥淎t the time, a ground-breaking clinical trial was underway in Norway, looking at whether lowering high cholesterol with statins could reduce deaths in people with elevated cholesterol levels.

鈥淲e wanted to see if this approach could have the same effect on a much larger group of people 鈥� those with average cholesterol readings.

鈥淭he focus at the time was primarily on people with high cholesterol, when in fact, even more people with normal cholesterol levels suffer a cardiac event over time.

鈥淭he study showed that taking statins for 6 years reduced death from cardiovascular disease by 24 percent, and overall mortality by 23 percent.鈥�

The LIPID study, with more than 9,014 participants from across Australia and New Zealand, involved a total of 87 major hospitals in Australia and New Zealand and set the benchmark for the conduct of similar trials in Australia and globally.

Kenneth O鈥橪oughlin was 44 when he had his first heart attack in 1991.

Fairfield resident Kenneth O鈥橪oughlin, now 71, was 44 when he had his first heart attack in 1991. Though it was only 27 years ago, his outlook was much bleaker then than it is today.

He joined the recently started National Heart Foundation study, the LIPID trial, funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and coordinated by Australia鈥檚 NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney.

Today, Mr O鈥橪oughlin is still taking his statin, and is fit and well, with his cholesterol level under control.

Mr O鈥橪oughlin said, 鈥淭he benefit of being part of this study is that I鈥檝e had the best care possible, from top experts from the start.

鈥淚鈥檇 say to anyone who has the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial to go for it 鈥� where else can you get the best care at no cost, and not only during the trial, but afterwards as well? They not only look after your problem, they also monitor you for any side-effects of the treatment, which means that they look after your general health as well - it鈥檚 been a wonderful opportunity.鈥�

said that the trial had an immediate impact for the large group of people involved.

鈥淚t changed the whole approach to treating cholesterol based on people鈥檚 level of risk rather than their actual cholesterol level alone.

鈥淭here is now clear evidence that treatment with statins after a heart attack have improved the outlook of millions around the world鈥�.

Chair of the LIPID 高清福利片 Professor Andrew Tonkin of Monash University said: 鈥淟IPID has also helped foster 25 further statin trials worldwide, which continue to improve the prospects of patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes.

鈥淟ong term follow-up of the trial has demonstrated the benefits of treatment are maintained for decades and without any increase in adverse effects from cancer or deaths from other causes.

鈥淲hile the majority of study participants were around 60 at the time the trial commenced, the statin-lowering approach significantly increased their chances of having a longer and better life.鈥�

Fast facts: the LIPID study

• The LIPID study was the first to look at the use of statins in people with normal cholesterol levels who had experienced a major cardiovascular event
• The LIPID study results were first published in the New England Journal of Medicine in October 1998
• Pravastatin treatment for 6 years was found to reduce death from cardiovascular disease by 24 percent, and overall mortality by 23 percent.
• Long-term follow-up has shown that this improved survival rate continues for almost two decades, largely due to prevention of cardiovascular deaths
• Long-term treatment with statins is not associated with an increase in the rates of new cancers or death
• The results of the LIPID study have meant that statin treatment is now subsidised for Australian patients.

The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre was established in 1988 with the aim of improving global healthcare outcomes through quality clinical and methodological research. Specialising in Oncology, Cardiovascular, Diabetic and Neonatal research, the CTC is also a world leader in the management of complex, rigorous, long-term trials, both in Australia and with our global聽partners.