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The effects of atorvastatin on coronary endothelial function in patients with recent myocardial infarction

Shinobu Hosokawa1, Yoshikazu Hiasa, Takeshi Tomokane

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Tokushima Red Cross Hospital, Komatsushima-city, Tokushima, Japan. hoso@tokushima-med.jrc.or.jp

Clinical Cardiology
|August 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin significantly improved coronary artery endothelial function in heart attack patients. This study demonstrates the drug

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is a critical early indicator of atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome.
  • While atorvastatin is known to enhance skeletal muscle vessel endothelial function, its impact on coronary arteries remained unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on human coronary artery endothelial function.

Main Methods:

  • The study involved 48 patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
  • Three groups were analyzed: hyperlipidemia patients on atorvastatin, hyperlipidemia patients not on statins, and controls with normal cholesterol.
  • Coronary artery diameter changes were assessed via quantitative angiography after acetylcholine infusion at baseline and 6 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Acetylcholine infusion demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in coronary artery diameter across all groups initially.
  • After 6 months, Group 1 (atorvastatin) showed a significant improvement in mean diameter change compared to Group 2 (no statin) and Group 3 (controls).
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed atorvastatin as a key factor in enhancing endothelial function (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin treatment demonstrably improves coronary artery endothelial function in patients recovering from myocardial infarction.
  • These findings highlight atorvastatin's therapeutic potential in managing coronary artery disease progression.
Abstract

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