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Effect of intensive statin therapy on arterial elasticity in patients with coronary artery disease

Cagdas Akgullu1, Bulent Ozdemir, Yusuf Yilmaz

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Uludag University Medical School, Bursa, Turkey.

Acta Cardiologica
|September 18, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Intensive statin therapy significantly improved arterial elasticity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). These positive vascular effects of atorvastatin were independent of changes in lipid levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Reduced arterial compliance is a key predictor of cardiovascular mortality.
  • Statins may offer cholesterol-independent benefits by directly improving arterial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of intensive statin therapy on arterial compliance in dyslipidemic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To assess cholesterol-independent effects of statins on vascular function.

Main Methods:

  • 33 patients with angiographically-proven CAD received atorvastatin 40 mg/day for 6 months.
  • Large and small arterial compliance were measured pre- and post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Large artery elasticity index (LAEI) significantly increased (P < 0.001).
  • Small artery elasticity index (SAEI) significantly increased (P = 0.03).
  • No correlation was found between elasticity changes and lipid level modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Intensive statin therapy improves arterial elasticity in CAD patients.
  • The vascular benefits of atorvastatin on arterial elasticity are independent of lipid-lowering effects.
Abstract

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