One-year treatment with rosuvastatin reduces intima-media thickness in 45 hypercholesterolemic subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

AIM

An increase in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) represents an early phase of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a reduction in CIMT could be seen with 1-year treatment with rosuvastatin (10 mg/day).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five patients with hypercholesterolemia and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis on baseline carotid ultrasound investigation (CUI) were examined with repeat CUI after 1 year of treatment (rosuvastatin 10 mg/day). Demographic and lifestyle data were collected. A physical examination was performed, and fasting venous blood samples were obtained. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly (p < 0.001), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly (p < 0.001) during the intervention. The mean decreases in the IMT of the right and left common carotid arteries (CCAs) were 0.29 and 0.26 mm, respectively (p < 0.05 for each). Age and lipid profile parameters were significant predictors of change in CIMT in linear regression analyses after adjustment for established atherosclerosis risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

One-year treatment with rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic adults with evidenceof subclinical atherosclerosis significantly reduced the CIMT of both CCAs and improved the lipid and lipoprotein levels.