Statin therapy in patients with diastolic heart failure

Background: There is controversy regarding the potentialeffects of statintherapy onmortality in patientswith heart failure. The present study analyzed the possible effects of statin therapy on morbidity and mortality in patientswith diastolic heart failure over long-termfollow-up. Hypothesis: To evaluate potential effect of statin therapy on hospitalization rate andmortality in patientswith diastolic heart failure. Methods: Patientswith preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%), hospitalized for clinical symptoms of heart failure were evaluated. Patients on statin therapy started at or prior to their first heart failure admission representedgroup 1 and patientswithout statin therapy representedgroup 2. The effects of statins on hospitalization rates and mortality were assessed during a 5 year follow-up. Results: A total of 270 patients (group 1 n = 81; group 2 n = 189) were followed over 5 years. Patients on statinsdemonstratedimproved survival compared to patientswithout statintherapy (hazard ratio [HR]=0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.95, P = .029). The survival benefit was maintained after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and other medications. There was no significant difference in the mean cardiovascular hospitalization rate (3.0 ± 3.2 vs 3.8 ± 4.7, P = .23) and in overall hospitalization rate (7.1 ± 6.3 vs 7.8 ± 7.7, P = .52) between groups 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusion: Statin therapy appears to be associated with improved survival in patients with diastolic heart failure.