Effects of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme a reductase inhibitors on some blood coagulation parameters

Abstract Ninety-two patients affected by polygenic hypercholesterolemia with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were treated with simvastatin or pravastatin for 6 months. The effect of the drugs on lipid profiles, fibrinogen plasma behavior, and factor VIIc plasma activity was evaluated. A significant reduction in serum levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio were observed. Factor VIIc plasma activity significantly decreased in all patients. Fibrinogen concentration showed no significant increase during the follow-up period. No significant correlation was observed between clotting factors and lipidemic parameters, whereas fibrinogen plasma behavior was inversely correlated with factor VIIc plasma activity. Our data suggest that hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, such as simvastatin and pravastatin, can reduce the hypercoagulability state associated with hypercholesterolemia.