title: Effect of atorvastatin and etidronate combination therapy on regression of aortic atherosclerotic plaques evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although statins have been well documented to induce the regression of thoracic aortic plaques, a similar effect of statins on abdominal aortic plaques has not been observed.We aimed to explore whether a statin in combination with a bisphosphonate was effective in the regression of abdominal aortic plaques, which are more likely to be calcified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-seven patients with hypercholesterolemia were assigned to the atorvastatin (ATR)+etidronate (ETD) group (n = 45) or ATR group (n = 42). A total of 98 thoracic and 107 abdominal aortic plaques were detected in the ATR+ETD group, and 86 thoracic and 102 abdominal plaques in the ATR group at baseline, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary endpoint was the change of maximal vessel wall thickness (Max-VWT) in atherosclerotic lesions after 1 year, as assessed by MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ATR+ETD and ATR groups reduced the low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (-42% and -43%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline for both groups), and Max-VWT in thoracic lesions (-15% and -14%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline for both groups). ATR+ETD group reduced Max-VWT in abdominal lesions (-14%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline), whereas ATR group did not (-1%, p =0.958 vs. baseline).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that ATR+ETD treatment for 12 months significantly reduces both thoracic and abdominal aortic plaques, while ATR treatment reduces only thoracic aortic plaques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Niigata Rosai Hospital, Joetsu, Japan. k-tetsuy@niirou.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawahara
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furusawa
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inazu
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D012968:Etidronic Acid