Effect of atorvastatin in patients with chronic heart failure - insights from randomized clinical trials

Effectiveness of drug interventions to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: an overview of systematic reviews

OBJECTIVES

To summarise and synthesise the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of drug interventions to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

DESIGN

Overview of systematic reviews.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library from inception to May 2017; manual search of references of included studies for potentially relevant reviews.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION

We reviewed the effectiveness of drug interventions for SCD and all-cause mortality prevention in patients with HFrEF. We included overviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-i), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), antialdosterones or mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists, amiodarone, other antiarrhythmic drugs, combined ARB/neprilysin inhibitors, statins and fish oil supplementation.

REVIEW METHODS

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the reviews and the quality of evidence for the primary studies for each drug intervention, using Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation(GRADE), respectively.

RESULTS

We identified 41 reviews. Beta-blockers, antialdosterones and combined ARB/neprilysin inhibitors appeared effective to prevent SCD and all-cause mortality. ACE-i significantly reduced all-cause mortality but not SCD events. ARBs and statins were ineffective where antiarrhythmic drugs and omega-3 fatty acids had unclear evidence of effectiveness for prevention of SCD and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive overview of systematic reviews confirms that beta-blockers, antialdosterone agents and combined ARB/neprilysin inhibitors are effective on SCD prevention but not ACE-i or ARBs. In patients with high risk of SCD, an alternative therapeutic strategy should be explored in future research.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017067442.

No benefits of statins for sudden cardiac death prevention in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Statins showed mixed results in heart failure (HF) patients. The benefits in major HF outcomes, including all-cause mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD), have always been discordant across systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We intended to systematically identify and appraise the available evidence that evaluated the effectiveness of statins in clinical outcomes for HF patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

We searched, until April 28, 2016: Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science and EBM reviews (Cochrane DSR, ACP journal club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED), checked clinicaltrials.gov for ongoing trials and manually searched references of included studies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

We identified 24 randomized clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of statins for HF patients. All randomized clinical trials were assessed for risk of bias and pooled together in a meta-analysis. Pre-specified outcomes were sudden cardiac death, all-cause mortality, and hospitalization for worsening heart failure.

RESULTS

Statins did not reduce sudden cardiac death (SCD) events in HF patients [relative risk (RR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70 to 1.21], all-cause mortality [RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.02] but significantly reduced hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HWHF) although modestly [RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.94]. Nevertheless, estimated predictive intervals were insignificant in SCD, all-cause mortality and HWHF [RR, 0.54 to 1.63, 0.64 to 1.19, and 0.54 to 1.15], respectively. An important finding was the possible presence of publication bias, small-study effects and heterogeneity of the trials conducted in HF patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Statins do not reduce sudden cardiac death, all-cause mortality, but may slightly decrease hospitalization for worsening heart failure in HF patients. The evaluation of the risk of biases suggested moderate quality of the published results. Until new evidence is available, this study supports the 2013 ACCF/AHA guidelines to not systematically prescribe statins in "only" HF patients, which should help avoid unnecessary polypharmacy.

The role of statins in chronic heart failure

The efficacy of statins in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with documented coronary artery disease is unquestionable. However, in chronic heart failure (CHF), evidence regarding the beneficial effects of statin therapy remains contradictory. Although numerous retrospective studies have demonstrated improved prognosis in CHF patients treated with statins, two randomized trials, GISSI-HF and CORONA, have not confirmed the benefit of rosuvastatin in this group of patients. The benefits of using statins in CHF probably result mostly from their pleiotropic action, including the improvement of endothelial function, the inhibition of neurohormonal activation, and the reduction of proinflammatory activation. On the other hand, it has been recognized that low cholesterol is associated with worse morbidity and mortality in patients with CHF. It appears that it is necessary to conduct further randomized clinical trials using different kinds of statins in different populations of patients with CHF.

Medication management of chronic heart failure in older adults

Heart failure (HF) is a common problem in older adults. Individuals aged 65 years or older are at a higher risk for developing HF, especially diastolic HF or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HF can be seen in up to 20 % of adults aged 85 years or older. In contrast to middle-aged (40-64 years) HF patients, multiple cardiac, non-cardiac and geriatric syndrome co-morbidities are seen in elderly HF patients. Additionally, age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics influence medication therapy. Hence, the management of older patients with HF is challenging and treatment should be modified in the light of the above-mentioned conditions. This article discusses the current evidence for medication management in both systolic HF or HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HFpEF, noting, however, the limited data for HFpEF and HFrEF in those 80 years of age or older. The objective of this article is to discuss evidence-based and outcomes-driven pharmacologic management strategies for chronic HF in the older adults for whom functional and other patient-centered outcomes might be more than or as important as clinical outcomes. Optimal management would be expected to help to reduce illness burden, reduce mortality and hospitalizations, and improve function and quality of life.

Statins in heart failure--With preserved and reduced ejection fraction. An update

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins beyond their lipid lowering properties and mevalonate inhibition exert also their actions through a multiplicity of mechanisms. In heart failure (HF) the inhibition of isoprenoid intermediates and small GTPases, which control cellular function such as cell shape, secretion and proliferation, is of clinical significance. Statins share also the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathway and inactivate extracellular-signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation suppressing inflammatory cascade. By down-regulating Rho/Rho kinase signaling pathways, statins increase the stability of eNOS mRNA and induce activation of eNOS through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway restoring endothelial function. Statins change also myocardial action potential plateau by modulation of Kv1.5 and Kv4.3 channel activity and inhibit sympathetic nerve activity suppressing arrhythmogenesis. Less documented evidence proposes also that statins have anti-hypertrophic effects - through p21ras/mitogen activated protein kinase pathway - which modulate synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases and procollagen 1 expression affecting interstitial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Clinical studies have partly confirmed the experimental findings and despite current guidelines new evidence supports the notion that statins can be beneficial in some cases of HF. In subjects with diastolic HF, moderately impaired systolic function, low b-type natriuretic peptide levels, exacerbated inflammatory response and mild interstitial fibrosis evidence supports that statins can favorably affect the outcome. Under the lights of this evidence in this review article we discuss the current knowledge on the mechanisms of statins' actions and we link current experimental and clinical data to further understand the possible impact of statins' treatment on HF syndrome.

Effect of statins on platelet function in patients with hyperlipidemia

INTRODUCTION

It is generally assumed that cholesterol reduction by statins is the predominant therapeutic result underlying their beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease. However, the action of statins may be partially independent of their effects on plasma cholesterol levels, as they combine lipid lowering with positive effects on hemorheological conditions and endothelial function. We evaluated the impact of statin treatment on platelet adhesion to fibrinogen (spontaneous and ADP-activated), along with ADP, collagen or ristocetin-induced aggregation in type II hyperlipidemic patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group included 70 persons: 50 patients affected by type II hyperlipidemia without concomitant diseases and 20 healthy volunteers. The effects of 8-week statin treatment (atorvastatin 10 mg/day, simvastatin 20 mg/day, or pravastatin 20 mg/day) on platelet activation were evaluated.

RESULTS

Regardless of the type of statin, a significant decrease in ADP-induced platelet aggregation was observed: for atorvastatin 50.6 ±12.8% vs. 41.1 ±15.8% (p < 0.05), for simvastatin 57.2 ±18.0% vs. 44.7 ±22.1% (p = 0.05), and for pravastatin 55.8 ±19.5% vs. 38.8 ±23.3% (p < 0.05). There was no significant effect of statins on collagen or ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and adhesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapy with statins beneficially modifies ADP-induced platelet aggregation in patients with hyperlipidemia and does not affect spontaneous or ADP-induced platelet adhesion to fibrinogen and platelet aggregation induced by collagen or ristocetin.

The influence of atorvastatin on parameters of inflammation left ventricular function, hospitalizations and mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy--5-year follow-up

Background

We assessed the influence of atorvastatin on selected indicators of an inflammatory condition, left ventricular function, hospitalizations and mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods

We included 68 DCM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% treated optimally in a prospective, randomized study. They were observed for 5 years. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who were commenced on atorvastatin 40 mg daily for two months followed by an individually matched dose of 10 or 20 mg/day (group A), and patients who were treated according to current recommendations without statin therapy (group B).

Results

After 5-year follow-up we assessed 45 patients of mean age 59 ± 11 years - 22 patients in group A (77% male) and 23 patients in group B (82% male). Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and uric acid concentrations were significantly lower in the statin group than in group B (14.96 ± 4.76 vs. 19.02 ± 3.94 pg/ml, p = 0.012; 19.10 ± 6.39 vs. 27.53 ± 7.39 pg/ml, p = 0.001, and 5.28 ± 0.48 vs. 6.53 ± 0.46 mg/dl, p = 0.001, respectively). In patients on statin therapy a reduction of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentration (from 1425.28 ± 1264.48 to 1098.01 ± 1483.86 pg/ml, p = 0.045), decrease in left ventricular diastolic (from 7.15 ± 0.90 to 6.67 ± 0.88 cm, p = 0.001) and systolic diameters (from 5.87 ± 0.92 to 5.17 ± 0.97, p = 0.001) in comparison to initial values were observed. We also showed the significant increase of LVEF in patients after statin therapy (from 32.0 ± 6.4 to 38.8 ± 8.8%, p = 0.016). Based on a comparison of curves using the log-rank test, the probability of survival to 5 years was significantly higher in patients receiving statins (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Atorvastatin in a small dose significantly reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines and uric acid, improve hemodynamic parameters and improve 5-year survival in patients with DCM.

Preoperative statin therapy is not associated with a decrease in the incidence of delirium after cardiac operations

BACKGROUND

Delirium after cardiac operations is associated with significant morbidity and death. Statins have been recently suggested to exert protective cerebral effects. This study investigated whether preoperative statins were associated with decreased incidence of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

The study enrolled 4,659 consecutive patients (21% women; age, 67.8±9.2 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. A propensity score-based optimal-matching algorithm was used to match 1,577 patients receiving preoperative statins with a control group (1:1). Patients were screened for delirium in the intensive care unit according to the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

Delirium affected 89 patients (3%), and preoperative statin administration was not multivariably associated with a decreased incidence of delirium (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 2.37; p=0.18) and was also unrelated to a delirium decrease in patient subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 2.52; p=0.51) or combined valvular procedures (odds ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 3.07, p=0.08). Similar results were observed for age groups and cardiopulmonary bypass durations. Patients affected by postoperative delirium experienced a longer hospital stay (25th to 75th percentile) of 11 (7 to 18 days) vs 7 days (7 to 8 days, p<0.001) and 12% hospital mortality vs 1% (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative statins were not associated with a decreased incidence of delirium in patients undergoing coronary revascularization.

Lipids, blood pressure, kidney - what was new in 2011?

The year 2011 was very interesting regarding new studies, trials and guidelines in the field of lipidology, hypertensiology and nephrology. Suffice it to mention the new European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias, American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines on hypertension in the elderly, and many important trials presented among others during the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Annual Congress in Philadelphia and the AHA Annual Congress in Orlando. The paper is an attempt to summarize the most important events and reports in the mentioned areas in the passing year.

The impact of statin therapy on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in an outpatient cardiology practice

BACKGROUND

Statins reduce coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Chart reviews were performed in 305 patients (217 men and 88 women, mean age 74 years) not treated with statins during the first year of being seen in an outpatient cardiology practice but subsequently treated with statins. Based on the starting date of statins use, the long-term outcomes of myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) before and after statin use were compared.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 65 months before statins use and 66 months after statins use. MI occurred in 31 of 305 patients (10%) before statins, and in 13 of 305 patients (4%) after statins (p < 0.01). PCI had been performed in 66 of 305 patients (22%) before statins and was performed in 41 of 305 patients (13%) after statins (p < 0.01). CABGS had been performed in 56 of 305 patients (18%) before statins and was performed in 20 of 305 patients (7%) after statins (p < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression showed statins use was an independent risk factor for MI (odds ratio = 0.0207, 95% CI, 0.0082-0.0522, p < 0.0001), PCI (odds ratio = 0.0109, 95% CI, 0.0038-0.0315, p < 0.0001), and CABGS (odds ratio = 0.0177, 95% CI = 0.0072-0.0431, p<0.0001.)

CONCLUSIONS

Statins use in an outpatient cardiology practice reduces the incidence of MI, PCI, and CABGS.

The effects of statin on atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of published data from randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Some clinical and experimental studies have shown the use of statins could protect against AF, but there are not adequate data at present.

OBJECTIVES

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials with statins on the endpoint of incidence of AF to estimate the impact of statin use on AF development.

METHODS

We searched PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2010) up to November 2010 to identify studies covering the use of statins on atrial fibrillation.

RESULTS

In published data from nine short term trials (1044 patients, 421 AF), the effect of statins was significantly associated with a decreased risk of recurrence of AF (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.73, P = 0.002). The result of OR was higher when studies with Jadad score ≤3 were excluded (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.54, P ≤ 0.0001). Among four long term trials (12,442 patients, 618 AF), the effect of statins was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence of AF (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.97, P = 0.02). In three long term trials of more intensive versus standard statin (9130 patients, 188 AF), there was no evidence of a reduction in the risk of AF (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.40, P= 0.74).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that the use of statins may be associated with preventing AF in short term trials and long term trials, but in the long term trials of more intensive versus standard statin, there was no evidence of a reduction in the risk of AF. However, we still need large-scale randomized double blind statin trials with AF occurrence as the main endpoint in order to finally confirm the benefits of statin in AF patients.