[Effects of atorvastatin in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a useful predictor of cardiovascular events in patients without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. It is unknown if the cardiovascular risk factors control can modify these levels. We studied if atorvastatin treatment decrease NT-proBNP levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects, with and without hypertension.


METHODS
It was an open, prospective study in 39 patients with hypercholesterolemia without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. 15 (38.5%) had hypertension. Blood samples were collected initially and 12 and 24 weeks after beginning treatment with 20 mg of atorvastatin.


RESULTS
The median age was 54 years, and 41% were males. NT-proBNP (pg/ml) values were: 193 (294) at baseline; 141 (211) (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks therapy, and 89 (130) (p < 0.01) at 24 weeks. In hypertensive patients value changed from: 275 (388) at baseline, 196 (290) (p < 0.05) and 112 (124) (p < 0.001) after 12 and 24 weeks treatment. And the levels in normotensives patients were: 137 (198) at baseline, 103 (129) (p = NS), and 74 (135) (p < 0.001) at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment with atorvastatin. We didn't find any correlations between the percentage decrease in NT-proBNP levels, and change of total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, C reactive protein, or nitrites/nitrates blood levels, at 12, and 24 weeks compared to baseline levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In middle-aged hypercholesterolemic patients, without evidence of cardiovascular disease, atorvastatin therapy decrease NT-proBNP blood levels, in both hypertensive and normotensives subjects.
Sánchez Muñoz-Torrero
Juan Francisco
JF
Unidad de Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain. Juanf.sanchezm@ses.juntaex.es
Crespo Rincón
Leandro
L
Fernández Pereira
Luis
L
Agustín Herrero
Juan
J
Pereira Navarro
Gema
G
Cámara Hijón
Carmen
C
Torres Pérez
Fernando
F
Costo Campoamor
Alberto
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011758:Pyrroles; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D000069059:Atorvastatin