Effect of Statins on the Radial Intima-media Thickness After Transradial Angioplasty
Effect of Statins on the Radial Intima-media Thickness After Transradial Angioplasty
The first event of the atherosclerotic plaque formation is the accumulation of the low
 density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) in to the intima of the arterial wall.
 After accumulation of the LDL-cholesterol, the oxidation of the LDL-cholesterol particles and
 recruitment of monocytes to the intima and media are the next steps. The thickening of
 intima-media thickness (IMT) is resulted from these initial events. The IMT can be easily
 measured by high-resolution ultrasonography in various arteries including carotid, brachial
 and radial arteries. The increased carotid IMT can be used as a non-invasive independent
 parameter indicating increased cardiovascular mortality. Some investigators reported
 increased radial IMT is associated with increased early failure of the radiocephalic
 arteriovenous fistula in the hemodialysis patients. Moreover, radial IMT is increased in
 patients underwent radial artery intervention because of denudation injury of the radial
 artery. Recently, the use of statin can halt the progression of the carotid IMT progression.
 However, it is unknown that the use of statin can prevent the progression of radial IMT after
 the transradial coronary intervention. The investigators want to evaluate the effect of
 statins on the progression of the radial IMT after the transradial intervention.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients undergoing coronary intervention via the radial artery

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Contraindication to statins

 -  Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%

 -  Recent history of hematologic disease or leukocyte count <3000/mm3 and/or platelet
 <100 000/mm3

 -  Hepatic dysfunction with AST or ALT >3 times the upper normal reference limit

 -  History of renal dysfunction or a serum creatinine level >2.0 mg/dL

 -  Serious noncardiac comorbid disease with a life expectancy <1 year

 -  Inability to follow the protocol