The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose statin therapy vs. the association between a low-dose statin and a nutraceutical-based protocol in high-dose statin-intolerant patients with coronary artery disease deemed to be at high-risk.

Several clinical trials have shown that in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level with a beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (ie, statin) is associated with significant reductions in both mortality rate and major cardiac events.

Accordingly, current guidelines recommend that high-intensity statin therapy-such as rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg-should be used to achieve at least a 50% reduction in LDL cholesterol unless otherwise contraindicated.

In real world clinical practice, however, high-intensity statin treatment is often discontinued by patients due to side effects. As alternatives, nonstatin drugs, such as ezetimibe, are often prescribed in association with moderate-to-low intensity statin.

It remains unknown, however, whether the association between moderate-to-low intensity statin therapy and and nutraceuticals (i.e. compounds derived from foods with cholesterol lowering actions) can have a therapeutic role in high-intensity statin-intolerant patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Angiographically-proven coronary artery disease
• Recent (<12 months) percutaneous coronary intervention
• Class I indication to receive statin treatment to achieve the LDL cholesterol goal of <70 mg/dL
• Able to understand and willing to sign the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of child bearing potential patients must demonstrate a negative pregnancy test performed within 24 hours before CT