Statins and heart failure

Theodosios D Filippatos1, Dimitri P Mikhailidis

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics, Royal Free Hospital Campus, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.

Angiology
|May 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Statins may prevent heart failure and reduce mortality. However, a trial found rosuvastatin did not significantly improve outcomes in advanced heart failure patients, suggesting early statin use is crucial for coronary heart disease patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Retrospective studies suggest statins prevent congestive heart failure (CHF) and decrease mortality.
  • Limited prospective data exists on statin efficacy in advanced CHF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of rosuvastatin in patients with advanced coronary heart disease-related CHF.

Main Methods:

  • The Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure (CORONA) study.
  • Compared rosuvastatin (10 mg/d) with placebo in patients with advanced CHF.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in mortality or major adverse cardiac events between rosuvastatin and placebo.
  • Rosuvastatin group showed a trend towards reduced hospitalization rates.

Conclusions:

  • Rosuvastatin did not demonstrate significant benefits in patients with advanced CHF.
  • Early initiation of statin therapy in coronary heart disease patients is recommended.

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