Background: Statins have pleiotropic effects, such as improvement in endothelial function and antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, and antioxidative effects, that should be beneficial for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of statins on neurohumoral activation and cardiac function in patients with CHF.
Methods: We enrolled 38 outpatients with mild to moderate CHF and radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%. These patients were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin (10 mg/d) or conventional treatment for heart failure and were prospectively followed up for at least 3 years. At entry, we measured plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptides (BNPs) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and LVEF by echocardiography; thereafter, these measurements were repeated at least every 6 months. The primary end point was defined as the improvement in cardiac function and BNP.
Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, New York Heart Association class, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, LVEF, and serum cholesterol level at entry between patients with (n = 19) and without atorvastatin (control, n = 19). After a follow-up period of 31 +/- 14 months, BNP (median [25th, 75th percentile]) significantly decreased in the atorvastatin group (84 [36, 186] to 55 [37, 91] pg/mL, P = .02) but not in the control group. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension significantly decreased (67.1 [59.9, 70.8] to 61.1 [58, 63.9] mm, P = .02), and LVEF also significantly increased in the atorvastatin group (33.3% +/- 7.4% to 39.1% +/- 12.1%, P = .01) but not in the control group.
Conclusion: Long-term atorvastatin therapy decreases neurohumoral activation and improves cardiac function in patients with mild to moderate CHF.