title: Efficacy and Safety of Statins for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious disease, and treatment is a continuing challenge. Some in vitro and in vivo studies identified that statins were effective for PH. However, results of some randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been controversial. The objective of our study was to clarify whether statins are effective and safe for pulmonary hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched for eligible RCTs from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library during January 2016. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Standard mean differences (SMDs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for continuous data (exercise capacity cardiac, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), cardiac index, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)). Risk ratios (RRs) were estimated for dichotomous data (adverse events and clinical deterioration).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 496 patients from six RCTs were included. Low-density lipoprotein in the statin group decreased significantly compared with the placebo group (WMD = -22.79; 95% CI: -34.33 ∼ -11.24). However, we did not find a statistically significant effect on exercise capacity (SMD = 0.18; 95% CI: -0.34 - 0.71), PAP (WMD = -3.01; 95% CI: -8.68 - 2.65), or CI (WMD = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.15 - 0.23). Additionally, there was no difference between statins and placebo with respect to hepatic injury (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.43 - 2.92), myalgia (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.32 - 2.03), or clinical deterioration (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.58 - 1.67).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statin treatment appears to be safe but may have no effect on PH.
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Yitao
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China. Electronic address: zengwj2011@126.com.
authors: Weijie
authors: W
authors: Zeng
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Shiyao
authors: S
authors: Cheng
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Zhichong
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Jiaojie
authors: J
authors: Xue
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Qing
authors: Q
authors: Wang
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
authors: Maode
authors: M
authors: Ou
authors: Cardiovascular Department, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China. Electronic address: chengkangling@126.com.
authors: Kanglin
authors: K
authors: Cheng
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: Effect; Meta-analysis; Pulmonary hypertension; Safety; Statins