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Lipid lowering by simvastatin induces regression of human atherosclerotic lesions: two years' follow-up by high-resolution noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging.
- Source :
-
Circulation [Circulation] 2002 Dec 03; Vol. 106 (23), pp. 2884-7. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Background: Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic disease. Noninvasive MRI allows serial monitoring of atherosclerotic plaque size changes. Our aim was to investigate the effects of lipid lowering with simvastatin on atherosclerotic lesions.<br />Methods and Results: A total of 44 aortic and 32 carotid artery plaques were detected in 21 asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic patients at baseline. The effects of statin on these atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated as changes versus baseline in lumen area (LA), vessel wall thickness (VWT), and vessel wall area (VWA) by MRI. Maximal reduction of plasma total and LDL cholesterol by simvastatin (23% and 38% respectively; P<0.01 versus baseline) was achieved after approximately 6 weeks of therapy and maintained thereafter throughout the study. Significant (P<0.01) reductions in maximal VWT and VWA at 12 months (10% and 11% for aortic and 8% and 11% for carotid plaques, respectively), without changes in LA, have been reported. Further decreases in VWT and VWA ranging from 12% to 20% were observed at 18 and 24 months. A slight but significant increase (ranging from 4% to 6%) in LA was seen in both carotid and aortic lesions at these later time points.<br />Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that maintained lipid-lowering therapy with simvastatin is associated with significant regression of established atherosclerotic lesions in humans. Our observations indicate that lipid-lowering therapy is associated with sustained vascular remodeling and emphasize the need for longer-term treatment.
- Subjects :
- Anticholesteremic Agents therapeutic use
Aorta, Thoracic drug effects
Arteriosclerosis complications
Arteriosclerosis diagnosis
Carotid Arteries drug effects
Cholesterol blood
Cholesterol, LDL blood
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypercholesterolemia blood
Hypercholesterolemia complications
Hypolipidemic Agents therapeutic use
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Remission Induction
Time
Treatment Outcome
Vascular Patency drug effects
Arteriosclerosis drug therapy
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors therapeutic use
Hypercholesterolemia drug therapy
Lipids blood
Simvastatin therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1524-4539
- Volume :
- 106
- Issue :
- 23
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Circulation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12460866
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000041255.88750.f0