| Author/Editor | Pretnar-Oblak, Janja; Šabovič, Mišo; Šebeštjen, Miran; Pogačnik, Tomaž; Zaletel, Marjan | |
| Title | Influence of atorvastatin treatment on L-arginine cerebrovascular reactivity and flow-mediated dilatation in patients with lacunar infarctions | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Stroke | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 37, št. 10 | |
| Publication year | 2006 | |
| Volume | str. 2540-5 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | Background and Purpose - In our study we hypothesized that statins improve endothelial function in patients with lacunar infarctions (LI). Cerebral and systemic endothelial function was determined before and after 3-months treatment with atorvastatin. Methods-Cerebral endothelial function was determined by L-arginine reactivity and systemic endothelial function by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in patients with LI (18 patients, aged 61.1+-7.6 years), 20 age- and gender-matched patients with similar risk factors (SR) and 19 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The mean arterial velocity (vm) in both middle cerebral arteries was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography before, during and after a 30-minute intravenous infusion of t.-arginine. FMD of the brachial artery after hyperaemia was determined. The measurements were repeated after 3-months treatment with 40 mg of atorvastatin per day. Results- L-arginine reactivity was decreased in LI patients (13.1 +- 8.4%) and in patients with SR compared with healthy controls (P<-0.01). FMD was more impaired in patients with LI (0.06+-4.9%) compared with patients with SR and healthy controls (P<-0.01). After atorvastatin treatment, L-arginine reactivity and FMD improved in both patients with LI (17.1 +-7.6%; 7.0+-5.7%) and patients with SR (P<-0.01). Previously mildly increased cholesterol values normalized. Conclusion-The decreased L-arginine reactivity and FMD improve after atorvastatin treatment in both patients with LI and patients with SR. | |
| Descriptors | CEREBRAL INFARCTION ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR ARGININE VASODILATION BLOOD FLOW VELOCITY CEREBRAL ARTERIES ULTRASONOGRAPHY, DOPPLER, TRANSCRANIAL BRACHIAL ARTERY ANTILIPEMIC AGENTS RISK FACTORS |