Improved plaque neovascularization following 2-year atorvastatin therapy based on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: A pilot study

The present study assessed changes in carotid plaque neovascularization following long-term atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). In this prospective case series, seven males (mean age, 68 +/- 9 years) and three females (mean age, 67 +/- 10 years) with a total of 13 carotid plaques underwent standard ultrasonography and CEUS at baseline, as well as after 1 and 2 years of atorvastatin treatment. The same plaques were then examined using real-time CEUS. The results of the enhanced intensity of plaque neovascularization at baseline were compared with results obtained during follow-up to examine the effects of long-term atorvastatin therapy. Standard ultrasonography revealed that 7 of the 13 carotid plaques were uniformly echolucent, whereas 6 carotid plaques were predominantly echolucent. CEUS revealed an enhanced intensity of 10.5 +/- 2.1 decibels (dB) prior to treatment, which decreased significantly to 7.3 +/- 2.6 dB following 2 years atorvastatin therapy (P < 0.00l). The ratio of enhanced intensity in the carotid artery lumen to that in the plaque was 3.10 +/- 1.10 at baseline and this value significantly increased to 4.96 +/- 2.98 following treatment for 2 years (P < 0.00l). The current pilot study therefore indicates that two-year atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day) may reduce plaque neovascularization in the Chinese population.