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. (C) 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.