The effects of atorvastatin therapy on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Statins improve the endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, they contribute to the substantial decrease in coronary heart disease by reducing plasma cholesterol levels. They also, reduce oxidative stress, stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque and inhibit inflammatory response. These functions of statins have been briefly described as pleiotropic effects. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin therapy on endothelial functions in patients with CAD.


METHODS
Fourty-nine patients (40 men, 9 women, mean age 59 +/- 11 years) with diagnosed CAD were selected as the study group. The patients were given 10 mg/day atorvastatin for 12 weeks. If the target cholesterol levels has not been achieved 6 weeks after the treatment, then the daily atorvastatin dosage has been increased. The endothelial function was evaluated by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.


RESULTS
It has been figured out that 12 weeks later, atorvastatin caused a statistically significant decrease in the plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol (p < 0,0001). Meanwhile, it was determined that the FMD got statistically significant improved 12 weeks after the atorvastatin therapy (8,1%-4,2%, p < 0,001). However there was no statistically significant change in non-endothelium dependent dilatation (NID).


CONCLUSIONS
Endothelium derived vasodilatation (EBD), which was non-invasively detected via brachial artery ultrasonography, had statistically significant improvment within 12 weeks of atorvastatin therapy whereas non-endothelium dependent dilatation (NID) had no change.
Yildiz
Ahmet
A
Department of Cardiology, Gazi Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. drayildiz@yahoo.com
Cakar
M Akif
MA
Baskurt
Murat
M
Okcun
Baris
B
Guzelsoy
Deniz
D
Coskun
Ugur
U
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin