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[Randomized FARVATER study. Part 2. Effect of atorvastatin on endothelial function, distensibility and stiffness of
Insights
Atorvastatin, at both 10 and 20 mg/day, significantly improved endothelial function, vascular distensibility, and reduced arterial stiffness in patients with ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia. Both doses demonstrated comparable benefits after 24 weeks of treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia are significant risk factors for cardiovascular events.
- Endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and reduced vascular distensibility contribute to cardiovascular pathology.
- Statins, particularly atorvastatin, are widely used to manage hyperlipidemia but their effects on vascular function require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of two different doses of atorvastatin (10 mg/day and 20 mg/day) on endothelial function.
- To assess the effects of atorvastatin on the distensibility and stiffness of the vascular wall.
- To compare the efficacy of low-dose versus standard-dose atorvastatin on vascular parameters.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 50 patients with documented ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia.
- Patients were assigned to receive either 10 mg/day or 20 mg/day of atorvastatin.
- Endothelial function (endothelium-dependent vasodilation), carotid artery distensibility, and stiffness were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.
Main Results:
- Both atorvastatin doses significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol within 6 weeks.
- After 24 weeks, LDL cholesterol reduction was 34.9% and 43.9% for 10 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively.
- Significant improvements in endothelium-dependent vasodilation (38.4% and 45.4%), vascular distensibility (27.6% and 28.8%), and reductions in vascular stiffness (33.4% and 31.3%) were observed in both groups after 24 weeks, with no significant differences between doses.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin, at both 10 mg and 20 mg daily doses, effectively improves endothelial function and arterial properties in patients with ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia.
- The observed benefits on vascular distensibility and stiffness are comparable between the two investigated doses.
- These findings suggest that atorvastatin therapy positively impacts vascular health beyond lipid-lowering effects.
Aim:
To elucidate effect of two doses of atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg/day) on endothelial function, distensibility and stiffness of vascular wall.
Material And Methods:
Patients (n=50) with documented ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia were randomized to 10 or 20 mg/day of atorvastatin (Atoris, KRKA). Endothelial function and common carotid artery wall distensibility and stiffness were assessed at baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment.
Results:
Administration of both 10 and 20 mg/day doses of atorvastatin for 6 weeks was associated with significant lowering of total cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) CH (24.5, 18.4, 34.9% and 29.1, 28.2, 40.9%, respectively). After 24 weeks LDL CH lowering from baseline reached 34.9 and 43.9% (p<0.001) and that of TG - 22 and 15%, in 10 and 20 mg/day groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between 10 and 20 mg/day groups in baseline values of endothelium dependent vasodilation (EDV), carotid artery distensibility and stiffness (7.28 and 6.64%, 21.60 and 20.15, 8.04 and 9.19 U, in 10 and 20 mg/day groups, respectively). After 3 months of treatment there occurred significant 38.4% (10 mg/day) and 45.4% (20 mg/day) increases of EDV. Significant 27.6% (10 mg/day) and 28.8% (20 mg/day) enhancement of vascular distensibility was noted after 24 weeks. Vascular wall stiffness decreased 33.4% (p=0.008) and 31.3% (p=0.002) in 10 and 20 mg/day groups, respectively.
