The effect of high dose statin therapy (Simvastatin 80 mg) on vascular inflammation in the aortic abdominal aneurysm.

In this trial we aim to confirm preclinical evidence that statins, independent of their lipid lowering effects, reduce vascular inflammation. The study will be performed in the abdominal aortic aneurysm, a condition that is part of the atherosclerotic spectrum and that is not primarily cholesterol driven. As there is evidence that the anti-inflammatory effects of statins are dose dependent we now propose to study whether high dose statin therapy is superior to the effects of standard dose statin (samples already available).
To study putative anti-inflammatory effects, patients awaiting open elective aneurysm repair will be asked to take Simvastatin 80 mg/day in the weeks prior to operation. Aneurysm wall samples will be collected at the time of operation and the effects of high dose Simvastatin will be evaluated by comparison with control samples of patients on standard dose Simvastatin/Atorvastatin (20 or 40 mg/day) or no statin.

We hypothese that the anti-inflammatory effects of statin therapy are dose dependent, and that the effects of high dose statin therapy on vascular inflammation are superior to standard dose statin therapy.

Time of elective aneurysm repair.

80 mg Simvastatin started at least 2 weeks prior to the planned open aneurysm repair.