title: The effect of statins on valve function and calcification in aortic stenosis: A meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortic calcification has been shown to share the same risk factors as atherosclerosis which suggested a potential benefit from statins therapy. In view of the existing conflicting results, we aimed to provide objective evidence on the effect of statins in aortic stenosis (AS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A meta-analysis of eligible studies that used statins in AS was performed. Fourteen studies were identified, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9 observational studies. In the 14 studies as a whole, no significant differences were found in all cause mortality (OR = 0.98, p = 0.91), cardiovascular mortality (OR = 0.80, P = 0.23) or the need for valve replacement (OR = 0.93, p = 0.45) between the statins and the control groups. LDL-cholesterol dropped in the statins groups in both <24 months and ≥ 24 months follow-up (p < 0.001 for both) but not in controls (p = 0.35 and p = 0.33, respectively). In the <24 months statins group, the annual increase in peak aortic velocity and peak gradient was less (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively), but the mean gradient, valve area and calcification score were not different from controls. In the ≥ 24 months statins group, none of the above parameters was different from controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the consistent beneficial effect of statins on LDL-cholesterol levels, the available evidence showed no effect on aortic valve structure, function or calcification and no benefit for clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yi Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: michael.henein@umu.se.
authors.forename: Michael Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Henein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: Aortic valve stenosis; Meta-analysis; Statins