Statin Therapy in Patients with Diastolic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding the potential effects of statin therapy on mortality in patients with heart failure. The present study analyzed the possible effects of statin therapy on morbidity and mortality in patients with diastolic heart failure over long-term follow-up. HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate potential effect of statin therapy on hospitalization rate and mortality in patients with diastolic heart failure. METHODS: Patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (> or =50%), hospitalized for clinical symptoms of heart failure were evaluated. Patients on statin therapy started at or prior to their first heart failure admission represented group 1 and patients without statin therapy represented group 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 statins demonstrated improved survival compared to patients without statin therapy (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.