Can Statins Benefit Elderly Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure?

In a randomized trial, rosuvastatin was associated with a decrease in hospitalizations for cardiovascular events but no reduction in mortality.

Clinical trials have established statins’ benefits in patients with established coronary artery disease, but individuals with heart failure have typically been excluded from these trials. We have good reasons to believe that the balance of benefits and risks of statins may be substantially different for patients with HF than for other patients with CAD.

Investigators in this manufacturer-sponsored trial randomized 5011 patients aged ≥60 years (mean age, 73) with symptomatic HF attributed to CAD and LV systolic dysfunction (mean LV ejection fraction, 31%) to receive either rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) or placebo. Median follow-up time was 32.8 months. Patients in the rosuvastatin group — but not those in the placebo group — had substantially redu…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)