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Sympathoinhibitory effect of statins in chronic heart failure

Marc E Gomes1, Jacques W M Lenders, Louise Bellersen

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. mergomes@hotmail.com

Clinical Autonomic Research : Official Journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society
|December 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Statin therapy significantly reduces central sympathetic outflow in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This reduction in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) suggests a beneficial effect of statins in managing CHF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Increased central sympathetic activity is a hallmark of chronic heart failure (CHF), correlating with poorer patient prognosis.
  • Preclinical studies indicate that statin therapy may attenuate central sympathetic outflow.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct effects of statin therapy on central sympathetic activity in human patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Main Methods:

  • Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was directly measured using microneurography in eight CHF patients.
  • Measurements were taken during periods of statin discontinuation and after statin therapy restart over 8 and 4 weeks, respectively.
  • Arterial plasma norepinephrine concentrations were also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Statin discontinuation led to a significant increase in MSNA burst frequency and amplitude.
  • Total normalized MSNA was markedly higher after statin withdrawal compared to during statin therapy.
  • No significant changes were observed in arterial plasma norepinephrine levels or blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Statin therapy effectively inhibits central sympathetic outflow in patients suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF).
  • The findings demonstrate a direct sympatholytic effect of statins in this patient population, measured via MSNA.
Abstract

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