Shear stress maybe the most crucial local factor affecting atherogenesis. The present study investigated the effect of exposure to increased shear stress promoted by Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and the underlying inflammation- related molecular mechanisms
Hypercholesterolemic subjects with subclinical atherosclerosis will be randomized into two groups: standard treatment group and standard treatment plus EECP intervention group. The results of ultrasound examination and markers of inflammations will be compared.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
150
EECP one hour per day, 5 hours a week for a total of 35- 36 hours over a 7 week period
Simvastatin 40 mg/d for 7 weeks as the guideline- driven standard medical treatment
The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat- sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Change in Intima-media thickness of the carotid artery
Change from baseline in Intima-media thickness of the carotid artery measured by Doppler ultrasound equipment at 7 weeks
Time frame: 7 weeks
Change in vascular endothelial function
Change from baseline in vascular endothelial function evaluated by flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery
Time frame: 7 weeks
Change in serum markers of inflammation
Change from baseline in serum markers of inflammation and laboratory parameters
Time frame: 7 weeks
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