DYNAMICS OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN BRACHIOCEPHALIC TRUNK ARTERIES INFLUENCED OF ATORVASTATIN THERAPY IN PATIENTS OF HIGH RISK

Aim - to assess the morphological changes in the extracranial arteries of the brachiocephalic trunk in high-risk patients during atorvastatin therapy. Materials and methods. The study included 78 patients with a high risk of death from cardiovascular disease (mean age 54.8 ± 4.4 years), according to SCORE > 5% and <10%, with a moderately elevated level of OX (5.0-5.9 mmol/l) and LDL cholesterol (3.0-3.9 mmol/l) receiving atorvastatin at an initial dose of 40 mg/day. Results. In the presented group of patients, atherosclerotic lesion was more often observed in the common carotid artery (CCA), equally expressed on both sides. On the background of therapy with atorvastatin, the greatest changes in terms of regression and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques are noted in the CCA projection on the left. In 36 cases, during treatment, there is a decrease and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, in 2 cases - the thickness of the intima-media complex. In 14 patients regression of two previously visualized plaques was noted in the background of treatment, in 4 patients - regression of three plaques, in 4 patients - stabilization of two plaques. Conclusions. Atorvastatin in the treatment of patients at high risk of death from cardiovascular disease contributes to the stabilization of carotid atherosclerosis and reduces the levels of atherogenic lipoproteins.

atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, atorvastatin, high risk