Effects of fluvastatin on the carotid arterial media as assessed by integrated backscatter ultrasound compared with pulse-wave velocity.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal is to show the effectiveness of fluvastatin in reducing arterial sclerosis using integrated backscatter (IB) values rather than depending on the pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and stiffness beta. BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic changes consist of two components: atherosis as a structural change and sclerosis as a functional change; IB ultrasound of carotid media was useful for assessment of arterial sclerosis. METHODS: We measured IB values in the media of 40 segments of carotid arteries in 40 patients with hyperlipidemia before and after statin therapy or diet for 12 months (fluvastatin F group] 40 mg/day, n = 20; control C group]: diet, n = 20). Pulse-wave velocity, intima-media thickness, and stiffness beta were measured at the same time. RESULTS: At baseline, IB values correlated with PWV (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and stiffness beta (r = 0.47, p = 0.002) in 40 patients with hyperlipidemia. Integrated backscatter values did not change in the C group but decreased in the F group (from 12.3 +/- 2.1 dB to 11.3 +/- 2.1 dB, p = 0.002). Also, PWV increased in the C group (from 1,728 +/- 687 cm/s to 1,771 +/- 716 cm/s, p = 0.021) but decreased in the F group (from 1,848 +/- 582 cm/s to 1,768 +/- 549 cm/s, p = 0.012). Stiffness beta decreased in the F group (from 14.0 +/- 3.9 to 12.1 +/- 3.5, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Statin therapy with fluvastatin improved arterial sclerosis as assessed by IB values.