Early effects of low versus high dose atorvastatin treatment on coagulation and inflammation parameters in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Abstract

Aim: To demonstrate the efficacy of low or high dose statin treatment on C-reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and Factor VII (FVII) during the first two weeks of acute coronary syndromes.

Patients and methods: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (n=60) were randomly and prospectively allocated in three different groups. They received 10 mg (low dose), 80 mg (high dose) of atorvastatin and placebo for two weeks. Plasma levels of CRP, vWF and FVII were compared at baseline, first and second weeks of treatment.

Results: Low dose therapy resulted in non-significant elevation of CRP at first week, although high dose therapy significantly lowered its level (7.75+/-3.57 vs 7.13+/-2.95; p=.04). Both low and high dose therapies effectively suppressed the production and elevation of vWF in contrast to placebo (121.15+/-31.99 vs 139.7+/-28.53; p=.04).

Conclusions: High dose atorvastatin significantly decreased CRP during the early days of acute coronary syndromes. Although vWF significantly increased in placebo group, both low and high dose atorvastatin treatments effectively suppressed its increased production.