Effect of statins on collagen type I degradation in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of statins on collagen type I degradation and C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. One hundred six patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation were studied: 40 (36 men, mean age 72 +/- 8 years) treated with a statin and 66 (48 men, mean age 74 +/- 9 years) not treated with a statin. Serum concentrations of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I, an index of collagen type I degradation, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured in all patients. Carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I levels were significantly higher (p <0.001) in statin-treated patients (0.64 ng/ml, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57 to 0.71) compared with nonstatin-treated patients (0.38 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.44). These changes were independent of cholesterol levels (before or after therapy). Statin-treated patients had significantly lower (p <0.001) C-reactive protein levels (0.25 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.28) compared to statin nonusers (1.1 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.25). In conclusion, this study suggests that therapy with statins in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation is associated with an increase in collagen degradation and an attenuation of inflammation, independently of cholesterol lowering.