Effect of High-Dose Atorvastatin Therapy on Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Background: This study was to investigate the clinical effect of high-dose atorvastatin on patients with acute cerebral infarction. Materials and Methods: 234 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomized divided into control group (n=78), highdose atorvastatin (HDA) group (n=78) and low-dose atorvastatin (LDA) group (n=78). 80L group and 20L group were received lovastatin 80 mg/d or 20 mg/d respectively for three months, and all of subjects received the same conventional treatments. Biochemical indices, plaque thickness and volume and neurological deficit were assessed and recorded before and after treatment. Results: After atorvastatin treatment, the plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly decreased in HDA group and LDA group, and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) were significantly increased in HDA group and LDA group (P<0.05). Moreover, atorvastatin could also decreased MMP-9 and hs-CRP levels (P<0.05), two major inflammatory factors in plasma. In addition, atorvastatin treatment also improved plaque status include plaque thickness and volume in HDA group and LDA group (P<0.05).Furthermore, improved neurological deficit were found in atorvastatin treatment groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that high-dose of atorvastatin has a good therapeutically effect on patients with acute cerebral infarction which could significantly improve plasma lipids levels, enhances anti-inflammation effect and decreased plaque thickness and volume than low-dose of atorvastatin.