Rosuvastatin Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Chinese Patients (REACH)

This study is to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin 10-20 mg on carotid atherosclerosis progression in Chinese patients by evaluating the change in the percentage of volume of lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 24-months treatment.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin 10-20 mg on carotid atherosclerosis progression in Chinese patients by evaluating the change in the percentage of volume of lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 24-months treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female patients between 18 and 75 years of age, inclusive.
2. LDL-C concentration ≥ 100mg/dl (2.6mmol/L), but less than 250mg/dl (6.5mmol/L); and TG ≤ 353mg/dl (4.0mmol/L).
3. New patients in regard to statin therapy.
4. 16%-69% carotid artery stenosis by duplex ultrasound. At least one or more carotid plaques detectable in either the right or left side of the carotid artery 2.4 cm proximal and 2.4 cm distal to the bifurcation. Plaque must be more than 3 mm thick with calcification presenting less than 50% of the plaque area. The plaque must have a LRNC and intact fibrous cap detected by contrast-enhanced MRI (CE MRI).
5. Female patients must agree to use an effective form of birth control throughout the 2-year study treatment period. They must be either documented post-menopausal, physically or surgically incapable of bearing children, or using barrier contraceptive methods. In addition to using contraception, women of childbearing potential must also have a negative serum pregnancy test at Screening.
6. The patients who are willing to be enrolled have to remain on the low cholesterol dietary (refer to Chinese Guideline on Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adult) for the study duration.
7. The patient must be able to comply with scheduled visits, the treatment plan and all laboratory tests.
8. The patient must provide written voluntary informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has liver function tests \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal, serum creatinine \> 2.0 mg/dL, GFR \< 30 ml/min or has abnormal laboratory values which are deemed clinically significant by the investigator.
2. The patient has severe heart disease, including NYHA III-IV, uncontrolled arrhythmia and acute coronary syndrome. The patient has had a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid artery stent, or lower extremity revascularization/amputation. The patient had unstable angina or myocardial infarct within 3 months before enrolment.
3. The patient has plans for surgical/endovascular intervention for carotid, coronary and/or peripheral arterial disease during the course of the study.
4. The patient has critical limb ischemia, as evidenced by ischemic rest pain, ulceration, or gangrene.
5. The patient has or is being treated or evaluated for diagnosed tuberculosis. The patient has had a chest x-ray obtained within the last month which shows signs consistent with possible tuberculosis.
6. The patient has a history of malignant neoplasm within the previous 5 years (exception: curable non-melanoma skin malignancies).
7. The patient has a known immunodeficient state (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus) or is being treated with immunosuppressive drugs including cyclosporine.
8. The patient have to take medicines as follow:

   * Hormonal therapy
   * Cyclosporine
   * Other lipid lowering agents: fish oil, garlic essential oil etc.
9. The patient has suffered deep vein thrombosis within the previous 3 months.
10. The patient has suffered brain haemorrhage before the study.
11. The patient has a history of recent alcohol abuse, drug abuse or significant mental illness.
12. The patient has any condition that would prevent the patient from giving voluntary informed consent.
13. The patient has an inability to tolerate oral medication administration.
14. The patient has a known or suspected allergy to the study medication(s) or the class of study medication to be administered.
15. The patient has a known or suspected allergy to MRI contrast agents (e.g., gadolinium).
16. The patient is enrolled or plans to enroll in another clinical drug or device/interventional trial during this study.
17. The patient has any other clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could impact the patient's ability to successfully complete the trial.
18. The patient has the history of myopathy.
19. The patient has the history of epilepsy/seizures.
20. The patient has thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) \> 1.5xULN.
21. The patients has LDL cholesterol \> 250mg/dL or total cholesterol \> 309 mg/dL or familial hypercholesterolemia.
22. The patient has uncontrolled hypertension, with SBP \>160 mmHg and / or DBP \>100 mmHg.
23. The patient has uncontrolled hyperglycemia with HbA1c \> 9% or diagnosed as DM recently (within 1 month before enrolment)
24. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
25. The patient has a pacemaker or other metallic foreign body.