RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of fluvastatin on blood levels of c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in patients with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients who underwent PCI from July 2002 to April 2004 in our hospital were randomized into two groups: control group; fluvastatin group (40 mg/d). Serum levels of CRP, TNFalpha and cTnI were measured before and after two weeks treatment (in the early morning of the procedure) and at 24 hours after the procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum levels of CRP, TNFalpha and cTnI in fluvastatin group were distinctly lower than those in control group before (P < 0.01) and after the procedure (P < 0.01), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result suggested that PCI could lead to a detectable increase in serum levels of CRP, TNFalpha and cTnI in patients with coronary heart disease; Fluvastatin could significantly decrease the serum levels of CRP, TNFalpha and cTnI in patients with coronary heart disease; Fluvastatin could also decrease the serum levels of CRP, TNFalpha and cTnI in patients with PCI.</p>