A Comparative Study On The Role Of Metoprolol And Atorvastatin On Carotid Atherosclerosis

Objective:To compare the effect of metoprolol and atorvastatin on carotid atherosclerosis. Methods:90 patients with carotid atherosclerotic were randomly divided into three groups:group A (metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets group 47.5 mg/d～95mg/d ) 30 patients,group B (atorvastatin calcium tablets group 20mg/d) 30 patients and group C (metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets 47.5 mg/d～95mg/d with atorvastatin calcium tablets 20mg/d group) 30 patients.At the beginning,12 thweek,24th week of the study,the blood-fat (TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C), Higsensitivity C -reactive protein(hsCRP),fibrinogen(FIB) and the maximal intima-media thickness (IMTmax) were measured. In addition to the plaque score were calculated at the same time.Results:At the end of 12thweek and 24th week,there was almost no effect on blood-fat in group A,but in the other two groups the TC,TG and LDL-C were decreased,the HDL-C was increased,the differences were significant(P<0.05);The FIB was decreased in all the three groups,but the difference was not significant in group A (P>0.05) which is different from the other two groups(P<0.05).HsCRP,IMTmax and the plaque score were decreased in all the groups,the differences were significant(P<0.05).At the end of 12thweek and 24th week,compared with group A the decrease of hsCRP and IMTmax in the other two groups were more significant(P<0.05). At the end of 12thweek the decrease of hsCRP and IMTmax between in group C and was bigger than it in group B, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05).At the end of 24th week,the decrease of hsCRP and IMTmax in group C was more significant than it in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion:Both of metoprolol and atorvastatin can retard the progressive development of carotid atherosclerosis and regress the carotid artery plaque.