Seeing How Low Your Cholesterol Can Go
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2009) – University of Kentucky researchers are
joining a study to determine whether the progression atherosclerosis, the leading cause of
cardiovascular disease, can be not only stopped but reversed.
The multi-center clinical research trial, named SATURN (Study of Coronary Atheroma by InTravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus AtorvastatiN), will compare the effects of the two most potent cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins— atorvastatin (sold under the brand name Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (marketed as Crestor).
“What is particularly interesting is that we will actually be looking inside the artery to compare whether we are able to reverse atherosclerosis and by what amount,” said Dr. Khaled Ziada, a Linda and Jack Gill Heart Institute cardiologist and College of Medicine specialty faculty member. Ziada is leading the study at UK.
Ziada and other investigators will measure the effect of higher doses of these drugs using intravascular ultrasound imaging. This involves inserting a tiny catheter with a miniature ultrasound probe inside in an artery. The cardiologists can then see the plaque inside the patient’s artery and measure its thickness. This sophisticated technology is the most accurate imaging technique available today to measure coronary atherosclerotic plaque.
Artery plaque, or atherosclerosis, causes arteries to be less flexible and increases the risk of forming a clot in the narrowed blood vessel. A clot can inhibit blood flow to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke.
Patients are offered the opportunity to participate in this trial. The university is one of a select group of 150 centers in 20 countries taking part in this three-year study, headed by the Cleveland Clinic. For more information on enrolling in this study, contact Tiffany Sandlin, R.N., at (859) 323-8663.
The multi-center clinical research trial, named SATURN (Study of Coronary Atheroma by InTravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus AtorvastatiN), will compare the effects of the two most potent cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins— atorvastatin (sold under the brand name Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (marketed as Crestor).
“What is particularly interesting is that we will actually be looking inside the artery to compare whether we are able to reverse atherosclerosis and by what amount,” said Dr. Khaled Ziada, a Linda and Jack Gill Heart Institute cardiologist and College of Medicine specialty faculty member. Ziada is leading the study at UK.
Ziada and other investigators will measure the effect of higher doses of these drugs using intravascular ultrasound imaging. This involves inserting a tiny catheter with a miniature ultrasound probe inside in an artery. The cardiologists can then see the plaque inside the patient’s artery and measure its thickness. This sophisticated technology is the most accurate imaging technique available today to measure coronary atherosclerotic plaque.
Artery plaque, or atherosclerosis, causes arteries to be less flexible and increases the risk of forming a clot in the narrowed blood vessel. A clot can inhibit blood flow to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke.
Patients are offered the opportunity to participate in this trial. The university is one of a select group of 150 centers in 20 countries taking part in this three-year study, headed by the Cleveland Clinic. For more information on enrolling in this study, contact Tiffany Sandlin, R.N., at (859) 323-8663.