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Statins in Heart Failure—Where Do We Stand?

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Abstract

HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors (statins) are a group of drugs which lower cholesterol by inhibiting the conversion of HMG Co-A to mevalonate early in the cholesterol synthetic pathway. They are used in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients deemed to be at increased risk and their benefit in patients with ischaemic heart disease is well supported. Their use in patients with heart failure (HF) however, is controversial. Evidence from observational and mechanistic studies suggests that statins should benefit patients with HF. However, larger randomised controlled trials have failed to demonstrate these expected benefits. The aim of this review article is to summarise the data from trials of statin use in patients with HF and attempt to explain the apparent conflict between recent placebo controlled trials and earlier observational and mechanistic studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Vision and Vascular Science, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biochemical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 1st floor Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Ireland

    Kristopher S. Lyons, Gary E. McVeigh & Mark T. Harbinson

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  1. Kristopher S. Lyons
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  2. Gary E. McVeigh
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  3. Mark T. Harbinson
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Correspondence to Kristopher S. Lyons.

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Lyons, K.S., McVeigh, G.E. & Harbinson, M.T. Statins in Heart Failure—Where Do We Stand?. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 25, 99–104 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-010-6269-1

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