Statin Use in the Early Phase of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Is Associated With Decreased QTc Dispersion

Background: Although there is strong evidence supporting the use of statin therapy after myocardial infarction (MI), some mechanistic gaps exist regarding the benefits of this therapy at the very onset of MI. Among the potential beneficial mechanisms, statins may improve myocardial electrical stability and reduce life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, as reported in stable clinical conditions. This study was designed to evaluate whether this mechanism could also occur during the acute phase of MI. Methods: Consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation MI were treated without statin (n = 57) or with a simvastatin dose of 20 to 80 mg (n = 87) within the first 24 hours after MI symptom onset. Patients underwent digital electrocardiography within the first 24 hours and at the third and fifth days after MI. The QTC dispersion (QTcD) was measured both with and without the U waves. Results: Although QTcD values were equivalent between the groups at the first day (80.6 ± 36.0 vs 80.0 ± 32.1; P = 0.36), they were shorter among individuals using simvastatin than in those receiving no statins on the third (90.4 ± 38.6 vs 86.5 ± 36.9; P = .036) and fifth days (73.1 ± 31 vs 69.2 ± 32.6; P = .049). We obtained similar results when analyzing the QTcD duration including the U wave. All values were adjusted by an ANCOVA model after propensity-score matching. Conclusions: Statins administered within 24 hours of ST-segment elevation MI reduced QTc dispersion, which may potentially attenuate the substrate for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.