Treatment with HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) attenuates the progression of aortic valve stenosis in the elderly

Aim: Recent studies have shown that degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) relates to the process of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methygulutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin) delays progression of AS in the elderly. Methods: Thirty‐three elderly patients (> 65 years; mean age, 75 ± 6 years) with mild to moderate degenerative AS underwent two consecutive echocardiograms at least 6 months apart. Results: Thirteen patients were treated with statin and the remaining 20 were not treated with statin. The two groups were similar in age (74 ± 5 vs 75 ± 6 years) and initial peak pressure gradient (45 ± 27 vs 40 ± 31 mmHg). The annual increase in peak pressure gradient in statin group was smaller than that in the non‐statin group (1.25 ± 5.3 mmHg/year vs 6.04 ± 6.12 mmHg/year, P < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, statin usage was an independent predictor of a smaller increase in peak gradient after adjusting for age, initial peak gradient, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Conclusions: Statin‐treated patients had delayed AS progression compared with those not treated with statin. In the elderly, statin treatment may delay the rate of progression of degenerative AS.