Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors that significantly elevates the risk for the development and progression of arteriosclerotic diseases.~Statins such as atorvastatin have been shown to reduce atherogenic lipoprotein levels as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a large number of clinical trials. It is suggested that statins have- apart from their lipid-lowering properties- other pleiotropic effects that are responsible for their anti-atheroslerotic and and cardioprotective potential.~Monocytes are crucially involved in the process of arteriogenesis (i.e. the growth of preexisting arterioles). Monocyte chemotaxis can be stimulated with arteriogenic molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). In previous studies we could demonstrate that the VEGF-A- induced monocyte chemotaxis is severely impaired in hypercholesterolemic patients. This reduced response to VEGF seems to be associated with a decreased ability to form functional collaterals.~Therefore we hypothesize that an intensified therapy with atorvastatin 40 mg once a day can significantly improve monocyte function in patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia compared to patients who are only treated with a placebo.
The aim of this study is to determine, whether an intensified atorvastatin therapy can improve monocyte function in patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia.