Author/Authors :
van der Harst، نويسنده , , Pim and Wagenaar، نويسنده , , Lodewijk J. and Buikema، نويسنده , , Hendrik and Voors، نويسنده , , Adriaan A. and Plokker، نويسنده , , H.W. Thijs and Morshuis، نويسنده , , Wim J. and Six، نويسنده , , A. Jacob and Boonstra، نويسنده , , Piet W. and Nickenig، نويسنده , , Georg and Wassmann، نويسنده , , Sven and van Veldhuisen، نويسنده , , Dirk J. and van Gilst، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Recent evidence has demonstrated that intensive lipid-lowering therapy with a high-dose statin provides significant clinical benefit beyond moderate lipid-lowering therapy. However, dose-dependent effects of short-term statin therapy on vascular function have not been demonstrated. We studied endothelial function and vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II in patients who had coronary artery diseased and were randomized to receive low- or high-dose atorvastatin (10 or 80 mg, respectively) or placebo. Internal thoracic artery segments were obtained during coronary bypass surgery and studied in vitro. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was increased with atorvastatin therapy (p = 0.035) but was significantly increased further in patients who received 80 mg compared with those who received 10 mg of atorvastatin (p = 0.05). Endothelium improvement was accompanied by decreased vascular response to angiotensin II (p = 0.039). These findings suggest a mechanism for the clinical benefit of intensive lipid-lowering treatment in coronary heart disease.
