Effect of Withdrawal of Statin on C-Reactive Protein

Vol. 102, No. 3, 2004

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Clinical Cardiology

Effect of Withdrawal of Statin on C-Reactive Protein
Kun-Tai Lee^a, Wen-Ter Lai^a, Chin-Sheng Chu^a, Li-Yu Tsai^b, Hsueh-Wei Yen^a, Wen-Choi Voon^a, Sheng-Hsiung Sheu^a

^aSection of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine and
^bDepartment of
Clinical Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Address of Corresponding Author

Cardiology 2004;102:166-170 (DOI: 10.1159/000080486)

Key Words

Hyperlipidemia
Statin
C-reactive protein

Abstract

Background: C-reactive protein is considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease. In addition to its lipid-lowering properties, statin decreases the level of C-reactive protein. Abrupt cessation of statin therapy during treatment could increase the incidence of cardiac events in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease. The changes of C-reactive protein after withdrawal of statin therapy are still unknown. Methods: Twenty patients with hyperlipidemia received statin (atorvastatin, 10 mg/day) therapy for 3 months. The levels of lipid profiles and C-reactive protein were assessed before receiving the statin therapy, immediately after 3 months of therapy, and on the 3 consecutive days after withdrawal of statin treatment. Results: After 3 months of statin therapy, the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol), and C-reactive protein were significantly reduced (264.94 ± 16.23 vs. 183.44 ± 16.34 mg/dl, 183.17 ± 34.56 vs. 122.00 ± 17.66 mg/dl, and 2,309.00 ± 437.85 vs. 1,257.95 ± 207.99 ng/ml, respectively). The level of C-reactive protein increased on the second day after withdrawal of statin therapy (2,590.14 ± 1,045.05 vs. 1,257.95 ± 207.99 ng/ml); however, the total cholesterol and LDL-chol did not increase during the 3-day period after withdrawal of statin therapy. Conclusions: The increase in the level of C-reactive protein after withdrawal of statin therapy may be a contributing factor to the increased incidence of cardiac events in patients who have abruptly stopped statin therapy.

Author Contacts

Wen-Ter Lai, MD
Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Tzyou 1st Rd.
Kaohsiung, 80708 (Taiwan)
Tel. +886 7 3121101, ext. 7741, Fax +886 7 3234845, E-Mail kuntai.lee@msa.hinet.net

Article Information

Received: August 11, 2003
Accepted after revision: January 17, 2004
Published online: August 27, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 30

Medline Abstract (ID 15334028)

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