Statins as coronary vasodilators in isolated bovine coronary arteries-involvement of PGI2 and NO

In summary, with the exception of pravastatin, statins act as coronary vasodilators. Simvastatin, cerivastatin and atorvastatin but not lovastatin induced vasodilation displayed endothelium dependent- and endothelium-independent components. The endothelium-dependent effect of statins was mediated by NO and PGI2, while the mechanism of smooth muscle cells-dependent component remains to be determined.