Key result
Statin therapy was associated with a lower rate of internal carotid artery stenosis progression compared to statin-naïve patients (19% vs 63%).
Why the study?
Does statin therapy reduce the progression of internal carotid artery stenosis in patients with ICA stenosis >= 40%?
Cohort (n=254)
Does statin therapy reduce the progression of internal carotid artery stenosis in patients with ICA stenosis >= 40%?
Absolute Event Rate: 19% vs 63%
Statin therapy is associated with delayed progression and potential regression of internal carotid artery stenosis, particularly in early stages, independent of serum cholesterol levels.
Hypothesis-generating for slower ICA stenosis progression with statins; randomized trials needed before practice change.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of early statin treatment on progression of arteriosclerosis in internal carotid arteries (ICA); to compare the progression of arteriosclerosis in ICA of patients treated with a statin to the progression seen in drug-naïve patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed repetitive Doppler scans of 363 carotid arteries with ICA stenosis > or =40% in 254 patients over time. Information on statin therapy and other risk factors for stroke were correlated with the annual change in degree of ICA stenosis. RESULTS: In statin-treated patients, 19% of ICA stenosis showed a progression while 74% showed a regression of stenosis. In statin-naïve patients, 63% of stenotic arteries showed a progression, while a reduction could be observed in 28%. Decrease of ICA stenosis was most accentuated in patients with a mild stenosis and was independent of serum cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: Treatment with statins already in early stages of ICA stenosis might delay the progression and even reverse the degree of stenosis.
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Hegland et al. (2009) conducted a cohort in Internal carotid artery stenosis (n=254). Statin therapy vs. Statin-naïve patients was evaluated on Progression of internal carotid artery stenosis. Statin therapy was associated with a lower rate of internal carotid artery stenosis progression compared to statin-naïve patients (19% vs 63%).
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