Statins Lower Risk of MACE in Patients with Heart Failure

A recent study from Intermountain Healthcare suggests use of statins could provide benefits in the form of decreased risk of primary and secondary events among patients with heart failure.

With controversy surrounding the use of statins in patients with heart failure, data from the study suggest use of statin therapy was associated with an increased presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular disease events in the observational analysis.

Although statins are often maligned as a result of perceived adverse events and side effects of statin use, statins remain among the most commonly prescribed medications across the world. To develop a more complete understanding of the effects of statin therapy in patients with heart failure, a team from Intermountain Healthcare designed the current study as an observational analysis.

Using data from Intermountain Healthcare medical records for patients with a diagnosis of heart failure and a LVEF of 40% or less, investigators sought to compare the incidence of MACE based on whether or not a patient received a prescription for statins. For the purpose of analysis, statin use was defined as use at or after a heart failure diagnosis but before the 60 days prior to a MACE event or the end of follow-up.

Overall, 15,010 patients were identified for inclusion. In comparison to those not prescribed statin therapy, those prescribed statins were more likely to be male and present with comorbidities. Specifically, those who received a prescription for statin had greater rates of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes compared to their counterparts who did not receive a prescription for statins.

In invariable analysis, receipt of a statin prescription was associated with a 37% (HR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.60-0.66]; P <.0001) reduction in MACE and multivariable analysis suggested statin use was associated with a 47% (HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.51-0.56]; P <.0001) reduction in risk of MACE. For more on the results of this study and the perspective it can provide to clinicians managing patients with heart failure, Practical Cardiology reached out to Viet Le, PA-C, and that conversation is the subject of the following AHA 2021 House Call.

This study, “Impact of Statin Therapy in Heart Failure Patients: Results of a Large Real-World Experience,” was presented at the American Heart Association 2021 Scientific Sessions.