Pravastatin decreases wall shear stress and blood velocity in the internal carotid artery without affecting flow volume: results from the PROSPER MRI study.
OBJECTIVE
Despite speculations, it is unknown whether statins affect wall shear stress (WSS). Therefore, the effect of pravastatin on WSS was investigated.


METHODS
In 355 elderly individuals participating in the PROSPER study (follow up after 3 years), the effect of 40 mg pravastatin on WSS was assessed in the internal carotid artery using magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
WSS and blood velocity decreased both in the pravastatin group and in the placebo group but decreased faster in the pravastatin group (P<0.04, P<0.02). Blood volume flow did not differ between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In elderly subjects, the WSS and blood velocity of the internal carotid artery declines significantly over time and this decline is more pronounced in subjects treated with 40 mg pravastatin compared with the placebo group.
Box
Frieke M A
FM
Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. F.M.A.Box@lumc.nl
van der Grond
Jeroen
J
de Craen
Anton J M
AJ
Palm-Meinders
Inge H
IH
van der Geest
Rob J
RJ
Jukema
J Wouter
JW
Reiber
Johan H C
JH
van Buchem
Mark A
MA
Blauw
Gerard J
GJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D017035:Pravastatin