Treatment with atorvastatin improves small artery compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND
We studied the effect of atorvastatin on arterial compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Seventeen patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dL, were included in the study, none of whomever received hypolipidemic medication or had other risk factors. Patients were followed for five visits, every 4 weeks.


RESULTS
After 20 weeks of treatment, lipid profile improved significantly. Large artery elasticity index did not change significantly, but small artery elasticity index increased by 21% (4.6+/-0.5 to 5.6+/-0.9, P < .01). Although none of our patients suffered from hypertension, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased significantly (6 mm Hg and 3 mm Hg, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that atorvastatin improves the elasticity of small arteries and reduces systolic and diastolic BP in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.
Leibovitz
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine A, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
Hazanov
N
N
Zimlichman
R
R
Shargorodsky
M
M
Gavish
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D003187:Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin