Statin therapy in heart failure: prognostic effects and potential mechanisms.
The use of statins as therapy for heart failure remains controversial. Nevertheless, many of the pleiotropic effects of statins are potentially applicable in heart failure. Although early statin trials excluded patients with heart failure because of concerns that lowering serum cholesterol could worsen an already poor prognosis, statin treatment has not been shown to have adverse effects on either cardiovascular events or mortality, and recent experimental and clinical studies have shown promise of benefit. Two large, ongoing trials should provide definitive evidence of the value of statin therapy for patients with heart failure. Pending those results, it is reasonable to follow current National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines in this high-risk population.
Shanes
Jeffrey G
JG
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, The Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA. jeffsh@ccmconsultants.com
Minadeo
Kira N
KN
Moret
Ann
A
Groner
Mordechai
M
Tabaie
Sean A
SA
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol