Early decrease in carotid plaque lipid content as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging during treatment of rosuvastatin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Statin therapy has shown to deplete atherosclerotic plaque lipid content and induce plaque regression. However, how early the plaque lipid depletion can occur with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering in humans in vivo has not been fully described.

Methods

We enrolled 43 lipid treatment naïve subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis and LDL-C ≥ 100 and ≤ 250 mg/dl. Rosuvastatin 5-20 mg/day was used to lower LDL-C levels to < 80 mg/dl. Lipid profile and carotid MRI scans were obtained at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months. Carotid plaque lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) and plaque burden were measured and compared between baseline and during treatment.

Results

Among the 32 subjects who completed the study, at 3 months, an average dose of

SUBMITTER: Du R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4107586 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature