Assessing the Impact of Long-Term High-Dose Statin Treatment on Pericoronary Inflammation and Plaque Distribution-A Comprehensive Coronary CTA Follow-Up Study.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has validated the use of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation as a credible indicator of coronary inflammation, playing a crucial role in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of high-dose statins on PCAT attenuation at coronary lesion sites and changes in plaque distribution. Our prospective observational study included 52 patients (mean age 60.43) with chest pain, a low-to-intermediate likelihood of CAD, who had documented atheromatous plaque through CTA, performed approximately 1 year and 3 years after inclusion. We utilized the advanced features of the CaRi-Heart and syngo.via Frontier systems to assess coronary plaques and changes in PCAT attenuation. The investigation of changes in plaque morphology revealed significant alterations. Notably, in mixed plaques, calcified portions increased ( < 0.0001), while non-calcified plaque volume (NCPV) decreased ( = 0.0209). PCAT attenuation generally decreased after one year and remained low, indicating reduced inflammation in the following arteries: left anterior descending artery (LAD) ( = 0.0142), left circumflex artery (LCX) ( = 0.0513), and right coronary artery (RCA) ( = 0.1249). The CaRi-Heart risk also decreased significantly ( = 0.0041). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a correlation between increased PCAT attenuation and higher volumes of NCPV ( < 0.0001, r = 0.3032) and lipid-rich plaque volume ( < 0.0001, r = 0.3281). Our study provides evidence that high-dose statin therapy significantly reduces CAD risk factors, inflammation, and plaque vulnerability, as evidenced by the notable decrease in PCAT attenuation, a critical indicator of plaque progression.