(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer announced today that new data regarding the effect of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) on atherosclerosis, cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, and health economics will be presented next week at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in New Orleans.

Atherosclerosis Imaging Trials

Three large imaging studies compared Pfizer’s former investigational compound torcetrapib plus Lipitor versus Lipitor alone.

“Lipitor is the only statin that has been evaluated in well-controlled head-to-head imaging trials,” said Dr. Michael Berelowitz, senior vice president of Pfizer’s global medical division. “In previous imaging trials, intensive therapy with Lipitor resulted in regression or halting of atherosclerosis.”

Cardiovascular Event Trials

Analyses will be presented from three outcomes trials evaluating statin therapy in three patient populations, including one that had never been studied before: those who have had a recurrent stroke but no heart disease.

“Imaging trials are scientifically interesting but not a substitute for outcomes trials evaluating the long-term safety and impact of therapy on patients’ risk of cardiovascular events,” Dr. Berelowitz said. “Lipitor has shown cardiovascular benefit in a broad range of patients in more outcomes trials than any other cholesterol-lowering medication.”

Evaluating the Economic Value of Treatment with Lipitor

Pfizer will present new health economics analyses from two landmark Lipitor trials. Previous health economic analyses have shown that Lipitor is a cost-effective choice even in comparison to low-cost generic simvastatin.

Implications of the Data

“Lipitor is the best-studied medication in its class, and the results of these new trials will provide important new information for physicians and managed care decision-makers in choosing the right cholesterol treatment for their patients,” said Dr. Berelowitz.

Details About Data Presentations at ACC

Atherosclerosis Imaging Data

• Three phase-III imaging studies, ILLUSTRATE, RADIANCE 1 and RADIANCE 2, compared Pfizer’s former investigational compound torcetrapib plus Lipitor versus Lipitor alone. [Late-breaking sessions starting at 8:30 a.m. CT on Monday, March 26, in New Orleans Convention Center hall A.]
• A separate study from Japan examined the effect of Lipitor on coronary plaque in patients with coronary artery disease using angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging technology. [Oral session at 8:00 a.m. CT on Monday, March 26, in New Orleans Convention Center room 278.]

Cardiovascular Outcomes Data

• A new analysis of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) study evaluated if treatment with Lipitor 80 mg was associated with significant protection from coronary events after a recurrent stroke or mini-stroke in patients without heart disease. [Oral presentation #804-4, 7:15 a.m. CT on Monday, March 26, in New Orleans Convention Center room 262.]

• A new analysis of the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) examined the effect of Lipitor 10 mg compared with placebo on major cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes who also met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. [Poster #1020-118, 3:30 p.m. CT on Monday, March 26, in New Orleans Convention Center hall H.]
• The Atorvastatin for Reduction of Myocardial Damage during Angioplasty-Acute Coronary Syndromes (ARMYDA-ACS) study evaluated the effect of Lipitor pre-treatment in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing angioplasty. [Late-breaking session at 1:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 25, in New Orleans Convention Center hall A.]

Health Economic Data

• A new analysis of a subset of patients in the Incremental Decrease in Endpoints through Aggressive Lipid Lowering (IDEAL) trial compared the impact of Lipitor 80 mg vs. simvastatin 20 mg–40 mg on hospitalization costs for patients who had had a heart attack less than two months prior to entering the study with acute coronary syndrome [Poster #1030-181, 9:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, March 27, in New Orleans Convention Center hall H.]
• A new analysis of more than 5,300 U.S. patients from the Treating to New Targets (TNT) trial compared the impact of Lipitor 80 mg vs. Lipitor 10 mg in patients with stable coronary heart disease. [Oral presentation #817-3, 2:00 p.m. CT on Monday, March 26, in New Orleans Convention Center room 208.]

Important U.S. Prescribing Information

Lipitor is a prescription medication. It is used in patients with multiple risk factors for heart disease such as family history, high blood pressure, age, low HDL ("good" cholesterol) or smoking to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, certain kinds of heart surgery, and chest pain.

Lipitor is used in patients with existing coronary heart disease to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, certain kinds of heart surgery, hospitalization for heart failure, and chest pain.

Lipitor is also used in patients with type 2 diabetes and at least one other risk factor for heart disease such as high blood pressure, smoking or complications of diabetes, including eye disease and protein in urine, to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

When diet and exercise alone are not enough, Lipitor is used along with a low-fat diet and exercise to lower cholesterol.

Lipitor is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.

Patients taking Lipitor should tell their doctors if they feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Patients should tell their doctors about all medications they take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Doctors should do blood tests to check liver function before and during treatment and may adjust the dose. The most common side effects are gas, constipation, stomach pain and heartburn. They tend to be mild and often go away.

For additional product information, visit www.Lipitor.com.