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The effect of fluvastatin on fibrinolytic factors in patients with hypercholesterolemia

T H Lin1, C H Huang, W C Voon

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
|June 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Fluvastatin therapy improved cardiovascular health by reducing LDL cholesterol and enhancing the fibrinolytic system. This suggests statins offer benefits beyond lipid-lowering, potentially explaining their cardiovascular protective effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Background:

  • HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) demonstrate cardiovascular benefits beyond cholesterol reduction.
  • The role of statins in modulating fibrinolytic factors remains unclear due to inconsistent clinical findings.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for a comprehensive view of statin-mediated cardiovascular protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of fluvastatin on key fibrinolytic factors in hypercholesterolemic patients.
  • To assess whether fluvastatin's effects on fibrinolysis contribute to its cardiovascular benefits.

Main Methods:

  • A study cohort of 23 hypercholesterolemic outpatients was selected based on LDL cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Patients received fluvastatin (40 mg/day) for 8 weeks following a 6-week dietary intervention.
  • Blood samples were analyzed at baseline and post-treatment for lipid profiles, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen, and D-dimer.

Main Results:

  • Fluvastatin significantly reduced total cholesterol (11%) and LDL cholesterol (22%).
  • A significant decrease in D-dimer levels was observed post-therapy.
  • Trends indicated reductions in t-PA, PAI-1, and fibrinogen, suggesting an improved fibrinolytic profile.

Conclusions:

  • Fluvastatin therapy positively impacts the fibrinolytic system in hypercholesterolemic individuals.
  • These findings suggest that statins may confer cardiovascular benefits through mechanisms independent of lipid-lowering.
  • The modulation of fibrinolytic factors could partially explain the observed cardiovascular advantages of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

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