Effects of Pitavastatin on Cerebral Blood Flow

Background: Hypercholesterolemia has been identified as an important risk factor for stroke. It has been reported that statins might reduce the risk for new or recurrent cardiovascular events and strokes. Objective: This paper reports on the effects of pitavastatin on cerebral blood flow in 2 elderly patients. Case summary: Two patients, a 72-year-old right-handed Japanese man and a 77-year-old right-handed Japanese woman, both with a history of cerebral infarction, received 6-month treatment with pitavastatin 2 mg/d for complicated hypercholesterolemia. To assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies with technetium-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer were carried out before and after pitavastatin administration. Tomography was evaluated using the Easy z Score Imaging System. None of the patients' other treatments, with the exception of pitavastatin initiation, were modified during the treatment period. In both patients, serum total cholesterol concentrations were improved within 3 months of initiation of pitavastatin treatment, with no marked changes in clinical symptoms. In both patients, improvement was found in rCBF on SPECT. The z score of the left parietal lobe in 1 patient was improved, from 2.20 to 1.69. That of the other patient was also improved, from 2.42 to 1.94. Conclusion: In both patients, clinically significant improvement in rCBF was found after 6-month treatment with pitavastatin 2 mg/d. (Clin Ther. 2009;31:575-579) (C) 2009 Excerpta Medica Inc.