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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
08:42

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research

Published on: October 22, 2014

Simvastatin and pravastatin equally improve flow-mediated dilation in males with hypercholesterolemia

Miran Sebestjen1, Marko Boh, Irena Keber

  • 1Department of Angiology, University Clinical Centre, Hospital of Internal Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia. miran.sebestjen@trnovo.kclj.si

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|March 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Simvastatin and pravastatin equally improve endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia patients. Both HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors showed similar effects on flow-mediated dilation, regardless of lipid changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Hypercholesterolemia is associated with endothelial dysfunction.
  • Simvastatin and pravastatin are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors known to improve endothelial function.
  • No previous studies have directly compared simvastatin and pravastatin for their effects on endothelial dysfunction using flow-mediated dilation in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of simvastatin and pravastatin in improving endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
  • To assess endothelial dysfunction using flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD).

Main Methods:

  • A randomized study involving 14 middle-aged males with hypercholesterolemia.
  • Participants received either simvastatin or pravastatin (10-20 mg/day) for 12 weeks after a 6-week diet run-in.
  • Endothelial function was measured by high-resolution ultrasound assessment of flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed between simvastatin and pravastatin in lipid profile changes (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides).
  • Both simvastatin and pravastatin significantly improved FMD in hypercholesterolemic patients.
  • The improvement in FMD was comparable between the two statin groups and did not correlate with lipid parameter changes.

Conclusions:

  • Both simvastatin and pravastatin effectively reduce endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
  • The beneficial effects on endothelial function are similar for both drugs.
  • These improvements occur independently of the extent of changes in lipid parameters.
Abstract

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