Influences of statin treatment on MR vessel wall imaging-observed characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the influences of statin treatment on MR vessel wall imagingobserved characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta of the elderly.Methods Elderly subjects (≥ 60 years) without any serious cerebro-cardiovascular diseases were recruited.Thoracic aorta was imaged on MR scanner for all the subjects.The plaque burden was calculated quantitatively,the composition of plaque in thoracic aorta was evaluated qualitatively,and the contributions of statin treatment to these characteristics were also compared by image interpretation personals.The thoracic aorta was divided into three segments (AAOascending aorta;AOAaortic arch,and DOAdescending aorta)on the imaging.Results Totally 55 recruited subjects had atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,with 24 subjects receiving statin treatment,and 50 ％ (12/24) male,aged 73.8±6.3 years.The level of LDL C[(2.4±0.7)mmol/L vs.(3.1±0.8)mmol/L(P＜ 0.01)]and total cholesterol[(4.4±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.1 ±1.0)mmol/L(P＜0.01)]were significantly lower in statin group than in non-statin group.The lumen area,wall area,and total vessel area in all three segments of thoracic aorta were significantly smaller in statin group(all P＜0.05)than in nonstatin group.The average wall thickness in segment of AOA[(2.7±0.3)mm vs.(2.8±0.4)mm(P＜0.01)]and DAO[(2.5±0.4)mm vs.(2.6±0.5)mm(P＜0.01)]were smaller in statin group than in non-statin group.The incidence rate of intraplaque hemorrhage / mural thrombus [6 cases (25.0％) vs.8 cases(25.8 ％)]in thoracic aorta was a little lower in statin group than in non-statin group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions Statin treatment decreases LDL-C level,reduces the burden of atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,and maintains the atherosclerotic plaque stability.