HMG CoA reductase inhibitors are related to improved systemic endothelial function in coronary artery disease

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 1999-12, Vol.147 (2), p.237-242
• Main Authors: Järvisalo, Mikko J, Toikka, Jyri O, Vasankari, Tommi, Mikkola, Jorma, Viikari, Jorma S.A, Hartiala, Jaakko J, Raitakari, Olli T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Cholesterol, HDL - drug effects; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - drug effects; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Disease - drug therapy; Coronary Vessels - drug effects; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endothelial function; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Linear Models; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Multivariate Analysis; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Reference Values; Serum cholesterol; Ultrasonography; Vascular Patency
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9150(99)00189-6

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase (statins) may enhance vascular endothelial function independent of their cholesterol lowering effect. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed two groups of patients (age 55±7, mean±SD) with coronary artery disease that were matched for age, blood pressure and serum lipid levels. Group 1 comprised 23 men without lipid-lowering medication and Group 2 included 22 patients with ongoing HMG CoA reductase inhibitor medication. Flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent) arterial dilatation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated (smooth muscle dependent) dilatation (NMD) were measured in the brachial artery using high resolution ultrasound. FMD was considerably higher in group 2 (4.3±2.6 vs. 2.6±2.8%; P