This open-label study, prospective, randomized trial evaluating the acute (in-hospital) pleiotropic and clinical effects of a hydrophilic statin (rosuvastatin) in patients with acute coronary syndrome

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether, in patients with acute coronary syndromes not taking statins in chronic administration, high doses of a hydrophilic statin (rosuvastatin) administered before coronary angiography and/or angioplasty, may exert a renal-protective effect by reducing the incidence of contrast nephropathy. Contrast induced nephropathy is defined as increased values of creatinine >= 0.3 mg/dl from baseline values, within 72 hours after contrast medium exposure.

Secondary end points: 1) verify if short-term (<48 hours)statin administration reduces the peak levels and the curve areas of markers of myocardial necrosis throughout the hospitalization period and if reduces the occurrence of periprocedural infarction. Biochemical markers (quantitative creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) mass and Troponin I) are measured at admission and at 6, 12, and 24 hours during the first day then once daily, immediately before angiography, and 24 hours thereafter. In patients who underwent coronary angioplasty (PCI), biochemical markers were measured at 12 and 24 hours after the procedure. Data were fitted, peak values and curve areas calculated; the occurrence of periprocedural infarction was defined as a CK-MB mass elevation more than three times the upper limit of normal within 24 hours after PCI. 2) determine the distribution of peripheral lymphocytic populations at the entry and at discharge using the flow cytometric analysis; 3) analyze the clinical composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization, dialysis and stroke at 30 days and 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

Are eligible for the study all patients admitted to CCU for Acute Coronary Syndrome without ST elevation (NSTEMI) candidates for early invasive strategy (coronary angiography within 48 hours from the admission) and without previous therapy with statins.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. inability to provide consent
2. pregnancy or lactation
3. intolerance to statins
4. therapy with other lipid lowering drugs
5. acute or chronic liver disease
6. chronic muscle disease
7. acute renal failure or chronic renal failure stage IV
8. neoplastic
9. exposure to iodinated contrast medium in the previous 10 days