Moderate Statin Therapy Does Not Change Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Wall Thickness as Measured by High Resolution Transthoracic Echocardiography

Background: Statin therapy has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk post myocardial infarction. Atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and regression are thought to play a role in this risk reduction. Using a novel technique of high resolution transthoracic echocardiography (HRTTE) we sought to assess the statin induced changes in left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) wall thickness in previously statin naive patients over a 12 months period.

Methods: Twenty subjects underwent HRTTE assessment of their LAD wall thickness pre discharge post MI (non LAD territory) and at 3, 6 and 12 months. The LAD anterior and posterior wall thickness and vessel luminal and external diameters were measured. Blood lipid levels were also assessed at each study visit.

Results: Of the 20 subjects all were started on moderate lipid lowering therapy (40 mg of either Atorvastatin or Simvastatin). There was a sustained decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (32% reduction) at the 3 month visit from baseline, with no change in high density lipoprotein level (HDL) (Fig. 1). There was no change in the LAD wall thickness, external or vessel diameter over the 12 months period (Fig. 2).