Open AccessThe effects of atorvastatin on coronary endothelial function in patients with recent myocardial infarction
Author(s) -
Hosokawa Shinobu,
Hiasa Yoshikazu,
Tomokane Takeshi,
Ogura Riyo,
Miyajima Hitoshi,
Ohara Yoshikazu,
Ogata Tatsuro,
Yuba Kenichiro,
Suzuki Naoki,
Takahashi Takefumi,
Kishi Koichi,
Ohtani Ryuji
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960290808
Subject(s) - medicine , atorvastatin , cardiology , myocardial infarction , hyperlipidemia , endothelial dysfunction , artery , coronary atherosclerosis , endothelium , statin , infarction , coronary artery disease , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
Background : Endothelial dysfunction is a key early event in atherosclerosis that occurs in acute coronary syndrome. It was reported that atorvastatin improves the endothelial function of skeletal muscle vessels, but the effect on the coronary artery is unknown. Hypothesis : The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of atorvastatin on coronary endothelial function in humans. Methods : Non‐infarct‐related coronary arteries of 48 patients with acute myocardial infarction who had undergone successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were examined. Three groups were studied: hyperlipidemia with use of atorvastatin (Group 1, n = 17), hyperlipidemia without statin use (Group 2, n = 18), and normal cholesterol level controls (Group 3, n = 13). Statin treatment was started at discharge. Acetylcholine (Ach) was infused into the coronary artery and the diameter was assessed by quantitative angiography at baseline and after 6 months. Results : Acetylcholine given in doses of 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/min increased the coronary artery diameter change in a dose‐dependent manner. In the initial study, patients in the three groups had similar responses to Ach. The mean diameter change after 6 months was significantly improved in Group 1 compared with Groups 2 and 3 (−11 ± 3 % vs. −20 ± 7% and −21 ± 6 %, respectively; p< 0.01 in each case). Multivariate regression analysis showed that atorvastatin (p < 0.01) was the significant determinant for improvement of endothelial function. Conclusions : These findings suggest that atorvastatin improves endothelial function of the coronary artery in patients with myocardial infarction.