Effects of different statins application methods on plaques in patients with coronary atherosclerosis

World J Clin Cases. 2021 Feb 6;9(4):812-821. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i4.812.

Abstract

Background: Discontinued application of statins may be related to adverse cardiovascular events. However, it is unclear whether different statins administration methods have effects on coronary artery plaques.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of different statins application methods on plaques in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic plaque by coronary artery computed tomography were continuously selected and divided into three groups according to different statins administration methods (discontinued application group, n = 32; intermittent application group, n = 39; sustained application group, n = 29). The effects of the different statins application methods on coronary atherosclerotic plaque were assessed.

Results: The volume change and rate of change of the most severe plaques were significantly reduced in the sustained application group (P ≤ 0.001). The volume change of the most severe plaques correlated positively with low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels only in the sustained application group (R = 0.362, P = 0.013). There were no changes in plaques or LDL-C levels in the intermittent and discontinued application groups.

Conclusion: Continuous application of statins is effective for controlling plaque progression, whereas discontinued or intermittent administration of statins is not conducive to controlling plaques. Only with continuous statins administration can a reduction in LDL-C levels result in plaque volume shrinkage.

Keywords: Coronary artery computed tomography; Coronary atherosclerotic plaque; Low-density lipoprotein; Plaque volume; Statin.