Effect of low- and high-dose atorvastatin on carotid artery distensibility using carotid magnetic resonance imaging - A post- hoc sub group analysis of atheroma (atorvastatin therapy: Effects on reduction of macrophage activity) study

Aim: to assess the effect of low- (10 mg) or high- (80 mg) dose atorvastatin on carotid artery distensibility in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease using carotid magnetic resonance imaging. methods: eighteen patients underwent initial 2-dimensional ecg gated-phase contrast carotid mr imaging and off-line applanation tonometry for distensibility assessment before randomisation to receive low- or high-dose statins and this was repeated at 12 weeks. phase and magnitude images from the 2-d phase contrast acquisitions were used for quantification of distensibility and compliance coefficients and were compared between the low- and high-dose statin groups. results: both groups were comparable with regards to their demographics,co-morbidities and baseline cholesterol levels. after 12 weeks of high-dose statin administration,a significant decrease in ldl (p=0.003) and crp (p= 0.03) was observed. at 12 weeks,the distensibility coefficient of the common and internal carotid artery was found to be significantly higher (with respect to baseline) in the high-dose group (p=0.004 and p=0.007,respectively). the compliance coefficient was likewise found to be raised in the high-dose group when compared with the low-dose group [common carotid (p= 0.002),internal carotid (p= 0.009)]. conclusions: high-dose atorvastatin tends to reduce carotid arterial stiffness,as suggested by increased distensibility and compliance coefficients; however,these results need validation through large-scale trials to fully establish their possible use in clinical practice.