Rosuvastatin effect on intima media thickness in adult vs elderly patients

The benefits of cardiovascular therapies such as statins for the treatment of atherosclerosis have been well documented. Many studies have demonstrated important benefits in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. We have evaluated the effect of low dose of rosuvastatin on asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in elderly versus adult subjects. Among 640 participants in the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study (ACADIM Study) forty-five patients (21 adults, 24 elderly) with hypercholesterolemia and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis on baseline carotid ultrasound investigation (CUI) were examined with repeat CUI after one treatment year with rosuvastatin (ROS) (10 mg/day). Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (p≤0.001) while high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly (p≤0.001) during the intervention. Mean decrease in carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) of the right and left common carotid arteries were higher in adult versus elderly subjects (p≤0.04 for each), even if in both group there was a significant regression in carotid atherosclerosis respect to baseline values (P≤0.001). These results confirm the reduction in IMT of the CCAs in response to ROS at a low dose in a one-year treatment period, even if in elderly subjects this effect is lower respect to adult. The treatment of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis defined by CIMT started in the adult age is more effective.