The role of statin therapy in the management of cardiomyopathies.
The non-lipid-lowering or pleiotropic effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been hypothesized to beneficially alter mechanisms involved in heart failure. Retrospective analyses of heart failure trials as well as small prospective trials with nonmortality clinical and surrogate end points appeared to confirm this presumption. However, two recently published, large, prospective randomized trials did not demonstrate any significant clinical benefit of statins in heart failure patients. This review outlines the proposed biologic effects of statins in heart failure syndrome and clinical evidence of statin use in heart failure patients.
Ramasubbu
Kumudha
K
Department of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. kumudhar@bcm.edu
Farmer
John A
JA
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors