title: [Influence of prolonged statin therapy on the arterial distensibility in stable ischemic heart disease].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis are known to influence the mechanical properties of the arterial tree. Statins may alter the arterial distensibility because they decrease plasma cholesterol level and inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) provides an indirect, non-invasive measurement of the mechanical properties of the arteries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The evaluation of the influence of statin therapy on arterial elasticity in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 46 patients with angiographically documented, clinically stable coronary heart disease and with high normal plasma cholesterol level. They were randomized into Group I--23 patients who received placebo and Group II--23 patients who received statin therapy. Before and following 6 months of treatment PWV was evaluated using a computer system--COMPLIOR. In each patient carotid-femoral PWV was measured. For automatic measurement of PWV pressure waveforms were digitized at rate 500Hz for carotid-femoral distance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6-month therapy with statin a significant decrease of PWV was observed. (from 12.28 +/- 2.81 m/s to 8.84 +/- 1.79 m/s, p < 0.01). This result may be explained by beneficial effect of statins on the degree of plaque growth. The alternative explanation may be the influence of statins on vascular remodelling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statin therapy may improve arterial distensibility in patients with high normal plasma cholesterol and stable coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: II Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii, Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lodzi. kurpesa@ptkardio.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurpesa
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tymiński
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trzos
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidawa
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krzemińska-Pakuła
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D011674:Pulse; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors