Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study

  • Authors:
    • Bin Xu
    • Jin Xing
    • Wenqing Wu
    • Wen‑Jing Zhang
    • Qian‑Qian Zhu
    • Dan Zhang
    • Nan‑Nan Sun
    • Chan Wu
    • Geng‑Jie Kang
    • Lin Zhai
    • Wei‑Dong Li
    • Yan Meng
    • Tie‑Ying Du
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 6, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.5926
  • Pages: 4491-4497
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Abstract

The present study assessed changes in carotid plaque neovascularization following long‑term atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day) using contrast‑enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). In this prospective case series, seven males (mean age, 68±9 years) and three females (mean age, 67±10 years) with a total of 13 carotid plaques underwent standard ultrasonography and CEUS at baseline, as well as after 1 and 2 years of atorvastatin treatment. The same plaques were then examined using real‑time CEUS. The results of the enhanced intensity of plaque neovascularization at baseline were compared with results obtained during follow‑up to examine the effects of long‑term atorvastatin therapy. Standard ultrasonography revealed that 7 of the 13 carotid plaques were uniformly echolucent, whereas 6 carotid plaques were predominantly echolucent. CEUS revealed an enhanced intensity of 10.5±2.1 decibels (dB) prior to treatment, which decreased significantly to 7.3±2.6 dB following 2 years atorvastatin therapy (P<0.001). The ratio of enhanced intensity in the carotid artery lumen to that in the plaque was 3.10±1.10 at baseline and this value significantly increased to 4.96±2.98 following treatment for 2 years (P<0.001). The current pilot study therefore indicates that two‑year atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day) may reduce plaque neovascularization in the Chinese population.
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May-2018
Volume 15 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Xu B, Xing J, Wu W, Zhang WJ, Zhu QQ, Zhang D, Sun NN, Wu C, Kang GJ, Zhai L, Zhai L, et al: Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study. Exp Ther Med 15: 4491-4497, 2018
APA
Xu, B., Xing, J., Wu, W., Zhang, W., Zhu, Q., Zhang, D. ... Du, T. (2018). Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 15, 4491-4497. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.5926
MLA
Xu, B., Xing, J., Wu, W., Zhang, W., Zhu, Q., Zhang, D., Sun, N., Wu, C., Kang, G., Zhai, L., Li, W., Meng, Y., Du, T."Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 15.5 (2018): 4491-4497.
Chicago
Xu, B., Xing, J., Wu, W., Zhang, W., Zhu, Q., Zhang, D., Sun, N., Wu, C., Kang, G., Zhai, L., Li, W., Meng, Y., Du, T."Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 15, no. 5 (2018): 4491-4497. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.5926