The effect of homocysteine of patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis

Objective To observe the effects of atorvastatin calcium on plasma homocysteine of patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis.Methods Ninety-six patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis were divided into three groups.Patients of group A were given life style guidance and took 100 mg asprin per day as the base treatment.Patients of group B took extra 20 mg atorvastatin calcium orally on the basis of group A.In addition to the base treatment of group A,extra 40 mg atorvastatin calcium were taken orally by patients of group C.The area of carotid plaque and the level of homocysteine were detected before the treatment and on the 4th,6th,8th week after treatment respectively.Results No significant change was observed in group A and B before and after treatment in area of carotid plaque and the level of homocysteine,which decreased in group C from the 6th to 8th week,and more on the 8th week.Conclusion Taking 40 mg atorvastatin calcium everyday can help to decrease the homocysteine level of patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis,and this effect was parallel to the reduction of carotid plaque area.