Atorvastatin reduces plasma levels of factor VII activity and factor VII antigen in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Atorvastatin is a powerful new synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor currently in clinical use. Its effects on plasma levels of factor VII were examined in 30 hyperlipidemic patients. After 12 weeks of atorvastatin treatment, factor VII activity (FVIIc) and factor VII antigen (FVIIag) levels had decreased by 13% (p < 0.0001) and 12% (p < 0.0001), respectively. The decreased concentrations of serum triglycerides correlated with decreases in FVIIc levels (r = 0.54, p = 0.0023) and FVIIag levels (r = 0.59, p = 0.0006) at 12 weeks of treatment with atorvastatin. No significant changes were seen in activated factor VII (FVIIa) levels. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen were slightly, but not significantly, increased at 12 weeks. No significant changes were seen in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels. The effects of atorvastatin on FVII may contribute to a decreased thrombotic potential, resulting in fewer thromboembolic events, including a reduction in coronary heart disease.