Single high dose atorvastatin does not ameliorate endothelial function and large arterial stiffness in dyslipidemic patients without atherosclerosis

M. Tulmac, V. Simsek, E. Tireli, O. Sahin, N. Yildirim, M. T. Dogru, H. Ebinc

Department of Cardiology, Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale (Turkey)

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• Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND: Many studies show that statins have beneficial effects on atherosclerotic risk factors and markers such as flow mediated dilatation (FMD). However, studies on early effects of statins on endothelial function of non atherosclerotic humans are limited.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single high dose of atorvastatin could improve endothelial function and large arterial stiffness in statin naïve dyslipidemic non-atherosclerotic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty statin naïve dyslipidemic non-atherosclerotic patients from Cardiology Outpatient Clinic were enrolled. Arterial stiffness and endothelial function of patients were evaluated by assessing the finger photoplethysmography and the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery before and 24 hour after oral administration of 80 mg atorvastatin.

RESULTS: Stiffness indices and FMD 24 hours after administration of 80mg atorvastatin did not differ from baseline measurements (6.89 ± 1.90 vs 7.06 ± 2.37 p : NS and 9.13 ± 6.07 vs 9.80 ± 6.34 p : NS).

CONCLUSIONS: Although it is widely accepted that statins improve endothelial function, evidences of early effect might largely be associated with endothelial injury. Our study suggests that beneficial early effects of statins might not be applicable to patients without atherosclerosis.

Corresponding Author: Murat Tulmaç, MD; e-mail: mtulmac@yahoo.com