| Summary: | Background: The benefit of carotid revascularization is decreased by the occurrence of restenosis at the site of surgery, which is associated with a modestly increased risk of stroke. Preventing restenosis plays pivotal role in the overall treatment and prevention of stroke in patients with carotid artery disease.
Purpose: To evaluate influence of discontinuing of statins therapy on occurrence of restenosis in patients after carotid endarterectomy.
Methods: We studied 240 patients after carotid endarterectomy, mean age – 64.4±6.8 years. All the patients were divided into two groups: 1 group comprised 124 patients, who had taken atorvastatin in dose 10–40 mg daily and 2 group – 116 patients who discontinued statins therapy due complication 3 %, poor tolerance 9% or personal reluctance 88%. All the patients also underwent serial standardized ultrasound examination on 1, 3, 6, 12 month during first year after operation and then annually. Mean observation time was 5.6±2.1 years. Significant restenosis carotid artery (more than 70%) was established by standard Doppler velocity criteria.
Results: The significant restenosis of internal carotid artery was found in 2,4% patients with statins therapy and in 7,8% patients without statins. Statins withdrawal increased the incidence of late significant restenosis of internal carotid artery (odd ratio: 3.393 95% confidence interval: 0.895–12.857). Patients with withdrawal of statins had higher wall thickness: 4.3±0.8 against 2.9±0.9 (#1088 p<0,05).
Conclusion: Withdrawal of statins therapy in patients after carotid endarterectomy associated with increasing risk of significant restenosis carotid artery.
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