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A Murine Model of Hyperlipidemia-Induced Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
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A Murine Model of Hyperlipidemia-Induced Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Published on: March 29, 2024

Low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with acute heart failure

Mark R Kahn1, Constantine E Kosmas, Gabriel Wagman

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Congestive Heart Failure (Greenwich, Conn.)
|October 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Low LDL cholesterol levels (<71 mg/dL) are linked to higher mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. This finding suggests a potentially harmful threshold for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in managing heart failure (HF).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Statins show limited benefit in heart failure (HF) compared to coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Low serum cholesterol levels may negatively impact outcomes in HF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (HF).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 2428 patients hospitalized with acute HF.
  • Lipid panels were drawn during admission; patients were followed for a mean of 2.9 years.
  • Primary outcome: all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes: major cardiovascular (CV) events, LVAD implantation, OHT.

Main Results:

  • Patients with LDL levels <71 mg/dL had significantly higher all-cause mortality compared to those with LDL >130 mg/dL (HR, 1.68).
  • This association persisted in subgroups: reduced LVEF (≤40%), ischemic HF etiology, and statin users.
  • No significant differences were observed in rates of CV events, LVAD, or OHT across LDL level comparisons.

Conclusions:

  • Low LDL cholesterol levels (<71 mg/dL) are associated with a poorer prognosis and increased mortality in hospitalized acute HF patients.
  • These findings suggest a potentially detrimental threshold for LDL in HF management, irrespective of HF etiology or systolic function.

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