title: [Statins and their influence on inflammatory processes in internal carotid artery stenosis].
abstract: Arterio-arterial emboli originating from a high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery are a common cause for cerebral ischemias. Inflammatory processes are not only pivotal in the development of atherosclerotic vessel wall changes, but also for their clinical destabilization. Inflammatory cells, like macrophages, can turn a chronic high-grade carotid stenosis into a high-risk area for the development of arterial thromboses by way of a complex pathogenesis involving the elevation of proinflammatory factors, biosynthesis of collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and expression of prothrombotic tissue factor. This process could affect the occurrence of perioperative complications during carotid endarterectomies. Statins are potent cholesterol-lowering agents. Among other lipid-independent effects, statins appear to play a significant role in preventing cardiovascular events. A number of studies have shown that statins possess plaque-stabilizing effects and that they improve cerebral autoregulation. A growing evidence supports the preoperative administration of statins in patients with high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid artery.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Neurologie der Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kunte
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amberger
authors.forename: R-I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Rückert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000276:immunology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D017364:Collagenases / Q000097:blood; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D017364:Collagenases