FAITHThe Efficacy of Lescol XL(Fluvastatin Extended Release 80 mg) on Atherosclerosis Progression in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease

Carotid IMT has been used in various studies (e.g. ASAP, ARBITER, METEOR) and is well accepted as a valid surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. The thickness of CIMT is significantly associated with the presence and the extent of coronary disease. Slower progression of atherosclerosis as measured by carotid ultrasound is also associated with a lower risk of nonfatal MI. In a meta analysis, for every 0.0 1-mm-per-year decrease in carotid IMT, there was a significant 18% reduction in the risk of nonfatal MI. Measurement of carotid IMT carries the advantage of being non-invasive and easy to use with a good degree of reproducibility. Statins have been shown to slow the progression of atherosclerosis or even to induce regression of atherosclerosis. Change of carotid IMT by statins have been found to correlate with the extent of LDL-C reduction and HDL-C increase however non-lipid effects (e.g. effects on inflammation, calcification ) may also play a role in the beneficial effects of statins on atherosclerosis.Osteopontin (OPN), an acidic phosphoprotein, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor-a receptor superfamily, have been recently demonstrated to modulate vascular calcification. Recent studies have shown an association of serum OPN and OPG levels with cardiovascular diseases and vulnerable carotid plaque .