The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are used extensively in the treatment 
of hyperlipidemia. They have also demonstrated a benefit in a variety of other 
disease processes. These secondary actions are known as pleiotropic effects. Our 
paper serves as a focused and updated discussion on the pleiotropy of statins 
and emphasizes the importance of randomized placebo-controlled trials to further 
elucidate this interesting phenomenon.