title: Pleiotropic and Lipid-lowering Effects of Statins in Hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on the lowering effects of statins in hypertensive patients have been mixed and highly controversial. Some studies shows reductions effects of statins in blood pressure, whereas others do not. The evidence in the literature on the effects of statins on blood pressure raises the possibility that statins may directly lower blood pressure in addition to reduce cholesterol levels-pleiotropic effects of statins.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The role of statins as additional treatment in patients with severe hypertension and advanced aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Methods. We enrolled 62 patients. Study has been approved by Committee of Ethics and patients signed a Term of Free Informed Consent. All patients were studied with transoesophageal echocardiography at baseline and 12 months after enrolment. Inclusion criteria were severe hypertension and presence of aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Patients have been divided into two groups; group A (treated with antihypertenives and statins) and group B (treated, just with antihypertensives).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients, of totally 38, from group A (20/38 or 52.6%) had significantly plaque reduction. One patient of totally 24 (1/24 or 4.1% ) from group B had significantly atherosclerotic plaque reduction. Difference of plaques reduction between two groups was highly significant. Regarding blood pressure levels, statins users had significantly reduction on systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to statins nonusers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypertensive patients with presence of AA plaques treated with antihypertensives and statins have more BP reduction compared will hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensives alone.
authors.affiliation: University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Lulzim Selim
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Kamberi
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bedri Bakalli
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhamet Budima
authors.forename: Daut
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rashit Gorani
authors.forename: Ahmet Muzaffer
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Kelmend
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Talat Pallaska
keywords: atherosclerotic aortic plaque; hypertension; pleiotropic effects of statin.; statins