HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) and aortic valve calcium.
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.
Shavelle
David M
DM
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6422, USA.
Takasu
Junichuro
J
Budoff
Matthew J
MJ
Mao
SongShou
S
Zhao
Xue Qiao
XQ
O'Brien
Kevin D
KD
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
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors