BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that intensive lipid lowering 
using rosuvastatin results in regression of coronary plaques. However, few data 
exist regarding lipid profiles over time, drug tolerability, and the effects of 
prior use of lipid lowering agents in patients on rosuvastatin treatment. 
Therefore, we studied these matters in a subanalysis of the Coronary 
Atherosclerosis Study Measuring Effects of Rosuvastatin Using Intravascular 
Ultrasound in Japanese Subjects (COSMOS).
METHODS: Rosuvastatin was titrated for 76 weeks to attain LDL-C < 80 mg/dL in 
213 Japanese dyslipidemic patients with CAD. Clinic visits were scheduled for 
every 4 weeks during the 76-week study period. Changes over time in lipid 
parameters, changes in those according to prior lipid-lowering therapy, and 
changes in those according to baseline lipid levels were evaluated in this 
subanalysis.
RESULTS: Overall, 126 patients completed the study. The mean rosuvastatin dose 
at the last observation carried forward was 16.9 mg (range, 2.5-20 mg). 
Rosuvastatin significantly increased HDL-C, lowered LDL-C, and improved the 
LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (all, P < 0.0001). Increases in serum HDL-C levels were 
significantly greater in patients with HDL-C < 40 mg/dL than in those with 
HDL-C ≥ 40 mg/dL at baseline (P = 0.0005). The estimated glomerular filtration 
rate increased significantly by 2.84 ± 9.01 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.0001). Of 
166 adverse events in 74 patients, 113 events in 54 patients were laboratory 
values beyond the normal range.
CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin significantly improved lipid profiles, with an 
acceptable safety profile, contributing to plaque regression in Japanese 
patients with CAD.