The Effect of Short-term Lipid Lowering with Atorvastatin on Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness in Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease: A Pilot Study

SummaryThe effect of rapid lipid lowering (with 20 mg/day of atorvastatin) on common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) in patients (n = 12) with peripheral vascular disease was studied. Fasting blood samples and IMT measurements were carried out at baseline and repeated after 8 weeks’ treatment. Total cholesterol decreased significantly by 27% (p < 0.0005) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 41% (p < 0.001). The rapid reduction in lipid profiles was mirrored by a significant (p < 0.001) reduction of 15.3% in common carotid artery IMT.