title: Heart failure and statins--why do we need a clinical trial?
abstract: The effect of statins to reduce mortality and morbidity in primary and secondary prevention as well as in acute coronary syndrome is well established. Recent data show that pleiotropic effects might also have direct effects on the myocardial cell. However, in chronic heart failure the outcome is inversely related to LDL-plasma concentrations and other pleiotropic effects might impair mitochondrial function. Since there are no safety data on the use of statins in chronic heart failure, a controlled randomized and placebo-controlled trial is urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinik des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Strasse, 66421 Homburg, Gemany. boehm@med-in.uni-saarland.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hjalmarson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kjekshus
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Laufs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMurray
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: van Veldhuisen
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin