title: Statins reduce extensive aortic atheromas in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statins have been used widely to reduce dyslipidemia and recently have been reported to have pleiotropic effects such as plaque reduction and stabilization. This study retrospectively evaluated the regression of extensive thoracic atheromas ("shaggy aorta") in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) before and after statin administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  CECT was used to examine thoracic aortas of 29 patients (statin group; n = 22, non-statin group; n = 7) with extensive atheromas from the ostium of the left subclavian artery to that of the more proximal renal artery. Extensive thoracic atheroma was defined by: (1) thickness >5 mm, (2) involved circumference of thoracic aorta >50%, and (3) length >30 mm. The areas of atheroma (cm(2)) were measured before and after administration of statins, and the atheroma reduction ratio (ARR) was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The area of atheroma decreased after administration of statins, and the ARR was significant (P <0.01). The ARR increased with all cases in non-statin group. No complications associated with extensive atheroma were observed during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study indicates statins can reduce extensive thoracic atheromas and lower lipid concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoshina
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Morinomiya Hospital, Osaka, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Sumio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Morinomiya Hospital, Osaka, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shigematsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; atheroma; shaggy aorta; statins