Background: Fibrinogen is considered a risk factor for the development of
atherosclerosis, and might be used as a predictor of risk for the development
of athero-thrombotic events. Several studies have reached contradictory
conclusions in regards to the effect of statins on the levels of fibrinogen.
Methods and Results: We have studied the effect of
Atorvastatin on the levels of fibrinogen in patients suffering from severe
hypercholesterolemia with no other risk factors. Included in the study were 22
patients with LDL-c levels above 4.40 mmol/L and with no other risk factors.
All patients were naive for hypolipidemic treatment. Patients were followed for
4 visits (4 weeks between each visit) and at each visit, lipid profile,
complete blood count, fibrinogen and CRP levels were measured.
After 4 visits, total cholesterol was reduced by 33% (7.40±1.09 to
4.81±0.65 mmol/L; p<0.001) LDL-c by 47% (5.25±0.72 to 2.77±0.72 mmol/L; p<0.001) and
Triglycerides by 17% (2.00±1.03 to
1.64±0.60
mmol/L; p<0.001). HDL-c levels did not change significantly. Fibrinogen
levels dropped by 23% (356±81 to 266±55 mg/dL; p<0.001). CRP
levels were reduced but not significantly (0.49+0.67 to 0.26 + 0.45). BMI,
Hemoglobin and white blood cell count did not change.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that Atorvastatin may reduce
the levels of fibrinogen in patients with hypercholesterolemia.