Pharmacodynamic Effects of Atorvastatin vs. Rosuvastatin on Platelet Reactivity

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease, dual antiplatelet therapy, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are often treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT), including aspirin and clopidogrel, to prevent from recurrent atherothrombotic events. Levels of platelet reactivity in patients on DAT can be influenced by concomitant treatment with medications that inhibit the CYP3A4 system involved in the activation of clopidogrel. Atorvastatin and simvastatin are metabolized by CYP3A4 \[Clin pharmacokinetic 2002; 41: 343-70\], whereas the cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism of rosuvastatin appears to be minimal and principally mediated by the 2C9 isoenzyme, with little involvement of CYP3A4 \[Clin Ther 2003; 25: 2822-5.\]. Previous studies comparing atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin by means of ex vivo platelet function tests have yielded conflicting results.

At least 1 month after starting DAT (clopidogrel 75 mg and aspirin 100 mg), patients will receive randomly atorvastatin (20 mg day, N=50) or rosuvastatin (10 mg bid, N=50) for 30 days (until T-1). At this time-point, there will be a wash-out period of 15 days after the first treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin in order to avoid any carry-over effect. Afterwards, a cross-over will be performed, and patients will be switched to the other drug which will be continued for further 30 days (until T-2).

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