Treatment with atorvastatin improves small artery compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND: We studied the effect of atorvastatin on arterial compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Seventeen patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dL, were included in the study, none of whomever received hypolipidemic medication or had other risk factors. Patients were followed for five visits, every 4 weeks. RESULTS: After 20 weeks of treatment, lipid profile improved significantly. Large artery elasticity index did not change significantly, but small artery elasticity index increased by 21% (4.6+/-0.5 to 5.6+/-0.9, P < .01). Although none of our patients suffered from hypertension, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased significantly (6 mm Hg and 3 mm Hg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that atorvastatin improves the elasticity of small arteries and reduces systolic and diastolic BP in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.