Abstract 12007: Combination Therapy of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Pitavastatin for Coronary Plaque Regression Evaluated by Integrated Backscatter Intravascular Ultrasonography: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: High intensity statin therapy is established for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, additional therapy is required to reduce residual risk in CHD patients with aggressive lipid-lowering therapy. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was reported to be beneficial especially in secondary prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate whether coronary plaque regression and stabilization are reinforced by additional administration of EPA to high dose pitavastatin (PTV) therapy. Methods: We enrolled 200 CHD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in 6 hospitals. Patients were randomly allocated to PTV group (PTV 4 mg/day, n=98) and PTV/EPA group (PTV 4 mg/day and EPA 1800 mg/day, n=102), and prospectively followed for 6 to 8 months. Coronary plaque volume and composition in non-stenting lesion were analyzed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasonography at baseline and follow up. Results: EPA / arachidonic acid (AA) ratio was significantly increased in PTV/EPA group compared to PTV group at follow up period. Plaque volume and lipid volume were significantly reduced in PTV/EPA group, but not PTV group. There was a significant inverse correlation between change in EPA/AA ratio and changes in plaque volume (r=-0.332, p<0.001). Plaque regression was defined as percent change in plaque volume more than -14.6% according to previous reports. A multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that the additional administration of EPA was independently associated with plaque regression after adjustment of confounding factors. The prevalence rate of plaque regression was significantly higher in PTV/EPA group than in PTV group (50% vs. 24%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Additional administration of EPA to high dose PTV therapy significantly reduced coronary plaque volume, suggesting that combination therapy of EPA and PTV might reduce residual risk in CHD patients with aggressive lipid-lowering therapy.