Atorvastatin combined with coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of carotid atherosclerotic plaque: a double-blind, randomized control study

WANG Yang

doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1673-4777.2012.10.010

Abstract：Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin combined with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)in the treatment of carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Methods A total of 127 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque were divided into control group(n =42),atorvastatin group(n =42)and atorvastatin +CoQ10 group(n =43)at random,and received routine therapy,atorvastatin and atorvastatin combined with CoQ10 respectively.The intima-media thickness(IMT),plaque volume,carotid artery diameter and rate of carotid stenosis were followed up after 6 months by using ultrasound and CT angiography(CTA),and the adverse drug reactions were also observed.Results After 6 months,the IMT and plaque volume of atorvastatin group and atorvastatin +CoQ10 group were statistically decreased than those before treatment and in control group(P ＜ 0.05),and the atorvastatin + CoQ10 group showed a better decrease(P ＜ 0.05).The diameter of carotid artery in atorvastatin group and atorvastatin + CoQ10 group [(6.4 ± 0.8)mm and(6.7 ± 1.0)mm,respectively]was significantly increased and the rate of carotid stenosis was obviously decreased than that before treatment and in control group (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01),and the atorvastatin + CoQ10 group showed a better improvement [(22 + 3)％ vs(37 ± 4)％,P ＜ 0.05].No change of any indexes was observed in control group.Three patients had hypodynamia and 2 patients had myosalgia in atorvastatin group.No other adverse drug reactions were observed in control group and atorvastatin + CoQ10 group.Conclusion Atorvastatin combined with CoQ10 can effectively delay plaque progress and carotid stenosis for patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque,and also release myosalgia and hypodynamia caused by atorvastatin.