title: Treatment with atorvastatin improves small artery compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine A, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leibovitz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hazanov
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimlichman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shargorodsky
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gavish
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin