The effect of statin therapy on the progression of carotid artery stenosis in relation to stenosis severity

Objectives - To examine the effect of early statin treatment on progression of arteriosclerosis in internal carotid arteries (ICA); to compare the progression of arteriosclerosis in ICA of patients treated with a statin to the progression seen in drug-naive patients. Patients and methods - We performed repetitive Doppler scans of 363 carotid arteries with ICA stenosis >= 40% in 254 patients over time. Information on statin therapy and other risk factors for stroke were correlated with the annual change in degree of ICA stenosis. Results - In statin-treated patients, 19% of ICA stenosis showed a progression while 74% showed a regression of stenosis. In statin-naive patients, 63% of stenotic arteries showed a progression, while a reduction could be observed in 28%. Decrease of ICA stenosis was most accentuated in patients with a mild stenosis and was independent of serum cholesterol levels. Conclusion - Treatment with statins already in early stages of ICA stenosis might delay the progression and even reverse the degree of stenosis.