13. The Long-Term Effect Between Co-Administration of Simvastatin and Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin on Central Pulse Wave Velocity in Adults with Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Background

The various statin might contribute to a change in arterial stiffness independent of the cholesterol-lowering effects of statin therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effect between co-administration of simvastatin and ezetimibe (vytorin) and atorvastatin (lipitor) on pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Methods

We enrolled 27 patients with hypercholesterolemia (Total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL). The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to statin (vytorin: 13 patients, lipitor : 14 patients). They were treated vytorin 10/20 mg and Lipitor 20 mg for 1 month, then vytorin 10/10 mg and Lipitor 10 mg for 5 months. We measured the carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV), and lipid profile at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment with the statin.

Results

The total cholesterol and LDL levels in both groups were significantly decreased 1 month later, and they were slightly increased 6 months later. In addition, the change of total cholesterol was not different in both groups. The central PWV(cfPWV) in lipitor group was significantly decreased compared with those in vytorin group after 6 months (-0.61 ± 1.23, 0.24 ± 1.24 m/sec, respectively).

Conclusion

Although co-administration of simvastatin and ezetimibe for 6 months might show similar lipid lowering effect compared with atorvastatin, only atorvastatin might show pleiotrophic effect for long-term treatment in hypercholesterolemia.