Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of simvastatin on patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) following carotid atherosclerotic plaque.Methods96 cases of TIA patients with carotid atherosclerosis plaque were randomly divided into simvastatin (statins) group and control group, 48 cases in each group. The statins group took simvastatin except routine therapy for 6 months, while the control group took Xuezhikang. The ultrasonic examination of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerosis area were carried out before and after treatment for both groups. The incident rates of cerebral vascular diseases within 6 months were compared between two groups.ResultsThe ultrasonic examination showed significantly thinning of carotid IMT and reducing of plaque area in statins group (P<0.05), while there wasn't significant difference in control group(P>0.05). The cerebral vascular incident rates in statins group were lower than in control group(P<0.05).ConclusionSimvastatin may be more effective for antiatherosclerotic function with bigger dosage and decrease ischemic cerebral vascular incidence.

Key words: simvastatin, transient ischemic attack, carotid atherosclerosis