Effect of Atorvastatin on Serial Changes in Coronary Physiology and Plaque Parameters

Background: The effects of statin on coronary physiology have not been well evaluated. Objectives: The authors performed this prospective study to investigate changes in coronary flow indexes and plaque parameters, and their associations with atorvastatin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Ninety-five patients with intermediate CAD who received atorvastatin therapy underwent comprehensive physiological assessments with fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve, index of microcirculatory resistance, and intravascular ultrasound at the index procedure, and underwent the same evaluations at 12-month follow-up. Optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was defined as LDL-C <70 mg/dL or ≥50% reduction from the baseline. The primary endpoint was a change in the FFR. Results: Baseline FFR, minimal lumen area, and percent atheroma volume (PAV) were 0.88 ± 0.05, 3.87 ± 1.28, 55.92 ± 7.30, respectively. During 12 months, the percent change in LDL-C was -33.2%, whereas FFR was unchanged (0.87 ± 0.06 at 12 months; P = 0.694). Vessel area, lumen area, and PAV were significantly decreased (all P values <0.05). The achieved LDL-C level and the change of PAV showed significant inverse correlations with the change in FFR. In patients with optimally modified LDL-C, the FFR had increased (0.87 ± 0.06 vs 0.89 ± 0.07; P = 0.014) and the PAV decreased (56.81 ± 6.44% vs 55.18 ± 8.19%; P = 0.031), whereas in all other patients, the FFR had decreased (0.88 ± 0.05 vs 0.86 ± 0.06; P = 0.025) and the PAV remained unchanged. Conclusions: In patients with CAD, atorvastatin did not change FFR despite a decrease in the PAV. However, in patients who achieved the optimal LDL-C target level with atorvastatin, the FFR had significantly increased with decrease of the PAV.