title: Effect of Lipid lowering with rosuvastatin on progression of aortic stenosis: results of the aortic stenosis progression observation: measuring effects of rosuvastatin (ASTRONOMER) trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortic stenosis (AS) is an active process with similarities to atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of cholesterol lowering with rosuvastatin on the progression of AS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in asymptomatic patients with mild to moderate AS and no clinical indications for cholesterol lowering. The patients were randomized to receive either placebo or rosuvastatin 40 mg daily. A total of 269 patients were randomized: 134 patients to rosuvastatin 40 mg daily and 135 patients to placebo. Annual echocardiograms were performed to assess AS progression, which was the primary outcome; the median follow-up was 3.5 years. The peak AS gradient increased in patients receiving rosuvastatin from a baseline of 40.8+/-11.1 to 57.8+/-22.7 mm Hg at the end of follow-up and in patients with placebo from 41.6+/-10.9 mm Hg at baseline to 54.8+/-19.8 mm Hg at the end of follow-up. The annualized increase in the peak AS gradient was 6.3+/-6.9 mm Hg in the rosuvastatin group and 6.1+/-8.2 mm Hg in the placebo group (P=0.83). Treatment with rosuvastatin was not associated with a reduction in AS progression in any of the predefined subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cholesterol lowering with rosuvastatin 40 mg did not reduce the progression of AS in patients with mild to moderate AS; thus, statins should not be used for the sole purpose of reducing the progression of AS. Clinical Trial Registration Information- URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com/.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN 32424163.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. kchan@ottawaheart.ca
authors.forename: Kwan Leung
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Koon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Jean G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Dumesnil
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017211:Treatment Failure; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D002784:Cholesterol