Vasoprotective and antiatherosclerotic action of statins in patients with carotid atherosclerosis
The results of a pilot clinical study of vasoprotective and antiatherosclerotic effect of simvastatin in 60 patients with carotid atherosclerosis confirmed by ultrasonic duplex scanning are presented. Clinico-instrumental patients assessment included the evaluation of the lipid profile, endothelial function (endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery in the reactive hyperemia test), the thickness of the intima-media complex and the morpho-functional state of the atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries. The study performed within 12 months. Simvastatin administration in low dose (25 mg daily) leads to improvement of vasodilation capacity, reduction of proinflammatory cytokines production, regression of the thickness of the intima-media complex and increase the volume of atherosclerotic plaques. Secondary to anti-inflammatory action, simvastatin administration caused the conversion of soft plaques to the hard plaques that characterizes their greater stability and reduces the risk of atherothrombosis.

Keywords: atherosclerotic plaque, endothelium vasodilatation, thickness of the intima-media complex, simvastatin, cytokines, carotid atherosclerosis