One-year treatment with rosuvastatin reduces intima-media thickness in 45 hypercholesterolemic subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
An increase in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) represents an early phase of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a reduction in CIMT could be seen with 1-year treatment with rosuvastatin (10 mg/day).


RESULTS
Forty-five patients with hypercholesterolemia and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis on baseline carotid ultrasound investigation (CUI) were examined with repeat CUI after 1 year of treatment (rosuvastatin 10 mg/day). Demographic and lifestyle data were collected. A physical examination was performed, and fasting venous blood samples were obtained. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly (p < 0.001), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly (p < 0.001) during the intervention. The mean decreases in the IMT of the right and left common carotid arteries (CCAs) were 0.29 and 0.26 mm, respectively (p < 0.05 for each). Age and lipid profile parameters were significant predictors of change in CIMT in linear regression analyses after adjustment for established atherosclerosis risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
One-year treatment with rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic adults with evidenceof subclinical atherosclerosis significantly reduced the CIMT of both CCAs and improved the lipid and lipoprotein levels.
Riccioni
Graziano
G
Cardiology Unit, San Camillo de Lellis Hospital, Manfredonia, Italy. griccioni @ hotmail.com
Vitulano
Nicola
N
Mancini
Barbara
B
Zanasi
Alessandra
A
D'Orazio
Nicolantonio
N
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium