Effect of statins therapy on flight crew with coronary atherosclerosis

CHEN Shiting; SUN Jinjin; SI Bingxin; YIN Xuejiao; MOU Zongyang; LUO Huilan

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the efficacy of statins therapy among flight crew with coronary artery atherosclerosis. Methods Twenty-one flight crew diagnosed with coronary artery atherosclerosis received statins therapy daily and accepted coronary angiography after treatment of two years to reevaluate coronary artery stenosis. Adverse reactions of statins were monitored during the treatment and the changes of lipid levels and the risk of coronary vessel disease were observed along with the changes of coronary artery stenosis. Results After twelve months of statins therapy, the serum levels of LDL-C, total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased, while HDL-C increased. The The differences were statistically significant(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The serum LDL-C level of nineteen cases of flight crew reached the standard. Coronary vessel plaques showed a reversal or no obvious progression in forty-one of the forty-seven cases, and four cases of plaque showed minor progression and another two cases showed obvious progression. Fourteen of the flight crew were qualified to fly again by medical identification and seven failed. Conclusion Statins therapy can significantly improve the lipid level, lower the level of LDL-C, reverse or stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque to reduce coronary artery stenosis.