title: Influence of achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level with atorvastatin therapy on stabilization of coronary plaques: sub-analysis of the TWINS study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previously the stabilization of coronary plaque with atorvastatin was demonstrated in the TWINS (evaluaTion With simultaneous angIoscopy and iNtravascular ultraSound) study. The influence of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level on plaque stabilization was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients (n=29) with hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed. They received atorvastatin (10-20mg/day) for 80 weeks and were divided into low (< 91 mg/dl) and high (≥ 91 mg/dl) LDL-C groups based on their 80-week LDL-C level. Angioscopy was performed before and after treatment. Yellow coronary plaques were classified into six grades (grades 0 to 5) and mean grade was determined for each patient. The LDL-C levels at week 28 and 80 were reduced in both low LDL-C groups (n=14, 140.3 to 77.9 and 75.9 mg/dl; P<0.001 both groups) and high LDL-C groups (n=15, 151.7 to 93.0 and 99.1mg/dl; P<0.001 both groups). Significant improvement in the mean grade was shown in the low LDL-C groups (1.44 to 1.00 and 1.05; P=0.003 both groups) at week 28 and 80 vs. no significant change in high LDL-C groups (1.43 to 1.23 and 1.28; P=0.032 and P=0.169 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adequate reduction of LDL-C is important for the stabilization of coronary plaques.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Osaka Police Hospital, 10-31 Kitayama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0035, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Tadateru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honye
authors.forename: Sei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Yuxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yajima
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takazawa
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nanto
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kodama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin