open access

Vol 27, No 6 (2020)
Original Article
Submitted: 2017-09-13
Accepted: 2018-06-11
Published online: 2018-07-13
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Effect of moderate-intensity statin therapy on plaque inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A prospective interventional study evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT of the carotid artery

Chan Joon Kim1, Eun Ji Han2, Eun-Ho Chu1, Byung-Hee Hwang3, Jin-Jin Kim3, Ki-Bae Seung4, Sung Hoon Kim4, Joon Hyun O4, Kiyuk Chang4
·
Pubmed: 30009378
·
Cardiol J 2020;27(6):762-771.
Affiliations
  1. The Catholic Universit of Korea, Uijungbu St. Mary's Hospital, 271, Cheonbo-ro, 11765 Uijeonbu-si, Gyeoggi-do, Korea, Republic Of
  2. Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, 64, Daeheung-ro, Jung-gu,, 34943 Daejoen, Korea, Republic Of
  3. St.Paul's Hospital, 14, Dapsimni-ro 1-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, 02559 Seoul, Korea, Republic Of
  4. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu,, 06591 Seoul, Korea, Republic Of

open access

Vol 27, No 6 (2020)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Submitted: 2017-09-13
Accepted: 2018-06-11
Published online: 2018-07-13

Abstract

Background: Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are frequently prescribed moderate- -intensity statin in real practice, even during the early stage of ACS. Under assessment herein was the effect of moderate-intensity statin therapy on the resolution of plaque inflammation during the first month after ACS, a period with highest recurrent ischemic events, using dual time point 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT).

Methods: This prospective study included statin-naïve patients with ACS and non-calcified carotid plaques (≥ 3 mm on ultrasound images). Baseline FDG PET/CT images of the carotid arteries of the patients were obtained. Then, all patients received atorvastatin (20 mg/day); follow-up FDG PET/CT images of the carotid arteries were then obtained after 1 month of therapy. The primary endpoint measurement was the change in the target-to-background ratio (TBR) of the carotid artery between the initial and follow-up FDG PET/CT scans.

Results: Thirteen ACS patients completed the initial and follow-up FDG PET/CT scans. Moderate-intensity statin therapy failed to reduce plaque inflammation at 1 month after ACS (TBR 1.60 ± 0.20 at baseline vs. 1.50 ± 0.40 after therapy; p = 0.422) but significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (mean LDL-C 101.2 ± 21.1 mg/dL at baseline vs. 70.7 ± 12.4 mg/dL after therapy; p < 0.001). Changes in the TBR and serum LDL-C levels were not correlated (r = –0.27, p = 0.243).

Conclusions: Dual time point FDG PET/CT imaging demonstrates that moderate-intensity statin therapy was insufficient in suppressed plaque inflammation within the first month after ACS in Asian patients, even though achieving target LDL levels.

Abstract

Background: Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are frequently prescribed moderate- -intensity statin in real practice, even during the early stage of ACS. Under assessment herein was the effect of moderate-intensity statin therapy on the resolution of plaque inflammation during the first month after ACS, a period with highest recurrent ischemic events, using dual time point 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT).

Methods: This prospective study included statin-naïve patients with ACS and non-calcified carotid plaques (≥ 3 mm on ultrasound images). Baseline FDG PET/CT images of the carotid arteries of the patients were obtained. Then, all patients received atorvastatin (20 mg/day); follow-up FDG PET/CT images of the carotid arteries were then obtained after 1 month of therapy. The primary endpoint measurement was the change in the target-to-background ratio (TBR) of the carotid artery between the initial and follow-up FDG PET/CT scans.

Results: Thirteen ACS patients completed the initial and follow-up FDG PET/CT scans. Moderate-intensity statin therapy failed to reduce plaque inflammation at 1 month after ACS (TBR 1.60 ± 0.20 at baseline vs. 1.50 ± 0.40 after therapy; p = 0.422) but significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (mean LDL-C 101.2 ± 21.1 mg/dL at baseline vs. 70.7 ± 12.4 mg/dL after therapy; p < 0.001). Changes in the TBR and serum LDL-C levels were not correlated (r = –0.27, p = 0.243).

Conclusions: Dual time point FDG PET/CT imaging demonstrates that moderate-intensity statin therapy was insufficient in suppressed plaque inflammation within the first month after ACS in Asian patients, even though achieving target LDL levels.

Get Citation

Keywords

statin, 18F-FDG PET/CT, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, acute coronary syndromes

About this article
Title

Effect of moderate-intensity statin therapy on plaque inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A prospective interventional study evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT of the carotid artery

Journal

Cardiology Journal

Issue

Vol 27, No 6 (2020)

Article type

Original Article

Pages

762-771

Published online

2018-07-13

Page views

1981

Article views/downloads

1498

DOI

10.5603/CJ.a2018.0069

Pubmed

30009378

Bibliographic record

Cardiol J 2020;27(6):762-771.

Keywords

statin
18F-FDG PET/CT
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
acute coronary syndromes

Authors

Chan Joon Kim
Eun Ji Han
Eun-Ho Chu
Byung-Hee Hwang
Jin-Jin Kim
Ki-Bae Seung
Sung Hoon Kim
Joon Hyun O
Kiyuk Chang

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