OI-A-2.

Background: Arterial stiffness (AS) and highly sensitive CRP (hsCRP) predict risk for cardiovascular events. Statins can improve inflammation and AS. The effect of ezetimibe on AS and hsCRP has not been studied. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of simvastatin with ezetimibe on AS and hsCRP.Methods: Forty hypercholesterolemic patients were studied. Group 1: previously untreated received simvastatin 40mg/d, group 2: previously treated with simvastatin 40mg/d received simvastatin 80mg/d; group 3: previously untreated received ezetimibe 10mg/d; group 4: previously treated with simvastatin 40mg/d received simvastatin 40mg/d and ezetimibe 10mg/d. Augmentation index (AIx, a measure of AS), and hsCRP were measured at baseline and after 3 months.Results: The reduction in LDL after treatment was significantly greater in groups 1 and 4 (39% and 37%) compared to groups 2 and 3 (18% and 16%). AIx decreased significantly in group 1 compared to the other groups (−22.1%, −0.4%, −0.3% and 0.4% in groups 1-4, p=0.035). Changes in hsCRP paralleled the changes in AIx: significant decreased in group 1 (−50.8%), compared to group 2 (+3.6%), p=0.002. In groups 3 and 4 hsCRP decreased, but there was no significant difference (−21.3% and −11.3%, p=0.81).Conclusions: Compared to simvastatin, ezetimibe as monotherapy resulted in milder decreases in LDL cholesterol and had no effects on AS or hsCRP. Increasing the dose of simvastatin or the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin had no beneficial effects on AS or hsCRP.Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 79, P1–P1; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2005.12.003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]