<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of
atorvastatin on
exercise tolerance in
patients with diastolic dysfunction and
exercise-induced
hypertension.</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
prospective study was performed. Sixty
patients with diastolic dysfunction (mitral flow velocity E/A <1) and
exercise-induced
hypertension (SBP>200 mm Hg) treated with
atorvastatin (20 mg q.d) or placebo for 1 year.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test and
exercise blood pressure measurement were performed.
Plasma B-
natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration at
rest and at peak
exercise,
plasma high sensitive-C reaction
protein (
hs-CRP) and
endothelin (ET) concentration were determined at baseline and
after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>
After treatment by
atorvastatin, the resting SBP,
pulse pressure, the peak
exercise SBP and BNP were significantly decreased; and the
exercise time,
metabolic equivalent, maximal
oxygen uptake and
anaerobic threshold were increased. All of these
parameters had significant differences with baseline levels (P<0.05) and the
rest pulse pressure, the peak
exercise SBP and BNP, and the
exercise time had significant differences compared with placebo
treatment (P<0.05).
Plasma concentrations of
hs-CRP and ET were markedly reduced by
atorvastatin treatment compared with baseline and placebo (P<0.05). No difference in above
parameters was found before and after placebo
treatment (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In
patients with diastolic dysfunction at
rest and
exercise-induced
hypertension,
atorvastatin can effectively reduce
plasma hs-CRP and ET level, lower
blood pressure and peak
exercise SBP, decrease peak
exercise plasma BNP concentration, and ultimately improve
exercise tolerance.</p>