BACKGROUND: The echolucency of the carotid intima-media is related to increased cardiovascular risk factor levels, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of statins on the echolucency of the common carotid intima-media in a low-risk population. METHODS: Data from the Measuring Effects on Intima-Media Thickness: An Evaluation of Rosuvastatin study were used. Ultrasound images from the far walls of the left and right common carotid arteries were used for evaluation of the echolucency of the carotid intima-media, measured by grayscale median (GSM). Low GSM values reflect echolucent structures, whereas high values reflect echogenic structures. The primary end point was the difference in the annual rate of change in GSM between rosuvastatin and placebo. RESULTS: Two-year change in GSM did not significantly differ between rosuvastatin and placebo in the total population, with a mean difference in the rate of change in GSM of 1.13 (95% confidence interval, -1.00 to 3.25). The effect of rosuvastatin differed across quintiles of baseline GSM values (P for interaction = .01). In the lowest quintile (n = 175) (i.e., in those with the most echolucent intima-media), the difference in the rate of change in GSM between rosuvastatin and placebo was 4.18 (95% confidence interval, -0.23 to 8.58). Increases in GSM were significantly related to decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the lowest quintile (β = 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 1.25). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with rosuvastatin did not affect the echolucency of the arterial wall in all low-risk individuals. However, a potential effect of rosuvastatin on the echolucency of the common carotid intima-media is most likely to be found in individuals with echolucent arterial walls at baseline.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The echolucency of the carotid intima-media is related to increased cardiovascular risk factor levels, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of statins on the echolucency of the common carotid intima-media in a low-risk population. METHODS: Data from the Measuring Effects on Intima-Media Thickness: An Evaluation of Rosuvastatin study were used. Ultrasound images from the far walls of the left and right common carotid arteries were used for evaluation of the echolucency of the carotid intima-media, measured by grayscale median (GSM). Low GSM values reflect echolucent structures, whereas high values reflect echogenic structures. The primary end point was the difference in the annual rate of change in GSM between rosuvastatin and placebo. RESULTS: Two-year change in GSM did not significantly differ between rosuvastatin and placebo in the total population, with a mean difference in the rate of change in GSM of 1.13 (95% confidence interval, -1.00 to 3.25). The effect of rosuvastatin differed across quintiles of baseline GSM values (P for interaction = .01). In the lowest quintile (n = 175) (i.e., in those with the most echolucent intima-media), the difference in the rate of change in GSM between rosuvastatin and placebo was 4.18 (95% confidence interval, -0.23 to 8.58). Increases in GSM were significantly related to decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the lowest quintile (β = 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 1.25). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with rosuvastatin did not affect the echolucency of the arterial wall in all low-risk individuals. However, a potential effect of rosuvastatin on the echolucency of the common carotid intima-media is most likely to be found in individuals with echolucent arterial walls at baseline.
Authors: James H Stein; Eunice Yeh; Joanne M Weber; Claudia Korcarz; Paul M Ridker; Ahmed Tawakol; Priscilla Y Hsue; Judith S Currier; Heather Ribaudo; Carol K C Mitchell Journal: Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Date: 2018-12 Impact factor: 8.311
Authors: Carol Mitchell; Megan E Piper; Stevens S Smith; Claudia E Korcarz; Michael C Fiore; Timothy B Baker; James H Stein Journal: Vasc Med Date: 2019-08-17 Impact factor: 3.239
Authors: Ryan Pewowaruk; Claudia Korcarz; Yacob Tedla; Carol Mitchell; Adam D Gepner Journal: Ultrasound Med Biol Date: 2022-08-18 Impact factor: 3.694
Authors: Carol Mitchell; Megan E Piper; Claudia E Korcarz; Kristin Hansen; JoAnne Weber; Michael C Fiore; Timothy B Baker; James H Stein Journal: J Diagn Med Sonogr Date: 2017-12-19
Authors: Jack Berroug; Claudia E Korcarz; Carol Kc Mitchell; JoAnne M Weber; Lu Tian; Mary M McDermott; James H Stein Journal: Vasc Med Date: 2018-11-12 Impact factor: 3.239
Authors: Anouk L M Eikendal; Karlijn A Groenewegen; Michiel L Bots; Sanne A E Peters; Cuno S P M Uiterwaal; Hester M den Ruijter Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2016-05-12 Impact factor: 5.501
Authors: Carol C Mitchell; Claudia E Korcarz; Adam D Gepner; Rebecca Nye; Rebekah L Young; Mika Matsuzaki; Wendy S Post; Joel D Kaufman; Robyn L McClelland; James H Stein Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2019-02-05 Impact factor: 5.501