title: HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) and aortic valve calcium.
abstract: There is no known pharmacological therapy for calcific aortic valvular sclerosis or stenosis. Because leaflet calcification occurs in areas of lipoprotein deposition, we hypothesised that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG COA) reductase inhibitors (statins) might slow aortic valve calcium (AVC) accumulation. We retrospectively identified 65 patients who had undergone two electron-beam computed tomography scans at a mean (SD) interval of 2.5 (1.6) years. 28 (43%) patients were receiving statins. Patients who were treated with statins had a 62-63% lower median rate of AVC accumulation (p=0.006) and 44-49% fewer statin patients had definite AVC progression (p=0.043). These findings suggest that statins may decrease AVC accumulation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6422, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shavelle
authors.forename: Junichuro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Takasu
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Budoff
authors.forename: SongShou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Xue Qiao
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors