Effects of Statins on Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques

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OBJECTIVES

This study sought to describe the impact of statins on individual coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
BACKGROUND

Although statins reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, their long-term effects on coronary atherosclerosis remain unclear.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, multinational study consisting of a registry of consecutive patients without history of coronary artery disease who underwent serial coronary computed tomography angiography at an interscan interval of ≥2 years. Atherosclerotic plaques were quantitatively analyzed for percent diameter stenosis (%DS), percent atheroma volume (PAV), plaque composition, and presence of high-risk plaque (HRP), defined by the presence of ≥2 features of low-attenuation plaque, positive arterial remodeling, or spotty calcifications.

RESULTS

Among 1,255 patients (60 ± 9 years of age; 57% men), 1,079 coronary artery lesions were evaluated in statin-naive patients (n = 474), and 2,496 coronary artery lesions were evaluated in statin-taking patients (n = 781). Compared with lesions in statin-naive patients, those in statin-taking patients displayed a slower rate of overall PAV progression (1.76 ± 2.40% per year vs. 2.04 ± 2.37% per year, respectively; p = 0.002) but more rapid progression of calcified PAV (1.27 ± 1.54% per year vs. 0.98 ± 1.27% per year, respectively; p < 0.001). Progression of noncalcified PAV and annual incidence of new HRP features were lower in lesions in statin-taking patients (0.49 ± 2.39% per year vs. 1.06 ± 2.42% per year and 0.9% per year vs. 1.6% per year, respectively; all p < 0.001). The rates of progression to >50%DS were not different (1.0% vs. 1.4%, respectively; p > 0.05). Statins were associated with a 21% reduction in annualized total PAV progression above the median and 35% reduction in HRP development.

CONCLUSIONS

Statins were associated with slower progression of overall coronary atherosclerosis volume, with increased plaque calcification and reduction of high-risk plaque features. Statins did not affect the progression of percentage of stenosis severity of coronary artery lesions but induced phenotypic plaque transformation.