Low-dose metoprolol CR/XL and fluvastatin slow progression of carotid intima-media thickness: Main results from the Beta-Blocker Cholesterol-Lowering Asymptomatic Plaque Study (BCAPS).
BACKGROUND
Statins reduce cardiovascular events and progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). beta-Blockers are also known to reduce cardiovascular events, but less is known about their effects on carotid IMT.


RESULTS
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center trial to compare the effects of low-dose metoprolol CR/XL (25 mg once daily) and fluvastatin (40 mg once daily) on the progression of carotid IMT during 36 months of treatment in 793 subjects who had carotid plaque but no symptoms of carotid artery disease. Changes in mean IMT in the common carotid artery and maximal IMT in the bulb were the main outcome variables. Death and cardiovascular events were monitored. Progression of IMT(max) in the carotid bulb at both 18 and 36 months was reduced by metoprolol CR/XL (-0.058 mm/y; 95% CI, -0.094 to -0.023; P=0.004; and -0.023 mm/y; 95% CI, -0.044 to -0.003; P=0.014, respectively). Incidence of cardiovascular events tended to be lower in metoprolol CR/XL-treated patients (5 versus 13 patients, P=0.055). Rate of IMT(mean) progression in the common carotid at 36 months was reduced by fluvastatin (-0.009 mm/y; 95% CI, -0.015 to -0.003; P=0.002). Women in the fluvastatin group had increased frequency of transiently high liver enzymes.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first randomized trial to show that a beta-blocker can reduce the rate of progression of carotid IMT in clinically healthy, symptom-free subjects with carotid plaque. This suggests that beta-blockers may have a favorable effect on atherosclerosis development.
Hedblad
B
B
Department of Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Wikstrand
J
J
Janzon
L
L
Wedel
H
H
Berglund
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007211:Indoles; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol; D008790:Metoprolol