Differential in vitro response of the human radial artery versus left internal thoracic artery to cerivastatin: implications to bypass grafting

Background This study investigated acute (in vitro) and long-term (in vivo) effects of statins on the vascular function of human radial artery (RA) and left internal thoracic artery (LITA). Methods RA and LITA specimens were divided into vascular rings, which were incubated in the absence or presence of 10−6 mol/L Cerivastatin for 2 or 24 hours. In terms of preoperative statin treatment, four groups included: group 1 [preop statin(-)/in vitro cerivastatin(-)]; group 2 [preop(-)/in vitro(+)]; group 3 [preop(+)/in vitro(-)]; and group 4 [preop(+)/in vitro(+)]. Endothelial function was assessed with acetylcholine (10−9 to 10−5 mol/L) following contraction by 3 × 10−8 mol/L endothelin-1. Results Although endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was higher in RA (57.7% ± 3.5%) than in LITA (46.5% ± 3.8%, p = 0.046), there was no significant evidence that it depended on the preoperative use of statins or incubation period. In vitro incubation with cerivastatin significantly increased endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by 14.2% ± 2.4% (p< 0.0001) independent of artery types (RA/LITA). There was no significant evidence that endothelium-dependent vasodilatation depended on the preoperative use of statins or incubation period. Conclusions In vitro incubation with cerivastatin preserved endothelial function more effectively than preoperative use of statins. This could have implications to perioperative use of statins for patients undergoing coronary surgery.