The effect of fluvastatin on plasma fibrinogen levels

There are conflicting data with regard to the effect of statins, including fluvastatin, on plasma fibrinogen levels. We undertook the present study to examine the influence of fluvastatin (40 mg/day) on plasma fibrinogen levels in hypercholesterolemic non-smoker patients with normal triglyceride levels (< 2.25 mmol/l) (n = 65). Fluvastatin administration was followed by a significant decrease of plasma fibrinogen levels by 8% (from 3.6 g/l to 3.33 g/l median value, p < 0.02). No correlation was found between the change in lipids and that in fibrinogen levels. Furthermore, there was no correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and the change in fibrinogen concentration after fluvastatin administration. These results are in contrast with previously published data. However, the majority of the previous studies included patients with ischemic heart disease, unlike our study population. Furthermore, in some of these studies, which Included relatively small numbers of patients, there was a trend towards a decrease in plasma fibrinogen concentration after fluvastatin administration. We conclude that fluvastatin can significantly decrease plasma fibrinogen levels. However, more studies using fluvastatin and other drugs of this class are necessary to clarify this issue.