Atorvastatin Therapy Is Associated with Reduced Levels of N‐terminal Prohormone Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Improved Cardiac Function in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

BackgroundStatins have been suggested to improve cardiac function, but the evidence underlying beneficial effects of statins in heart failure (HF) is insufficient. We analyzed plasma N‐terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels and cardiac function in patients with HF of various etiologies, and who were treated with or without statins.HypothesisStatin treatment is associated with improved cardiac function in HF.MethodsThe study cohort consisted of 139 consecutive male patients receiving atorvastatin (n = 44), simvastatin (n = 29), pravastatin (n = 19), or no statin (n = 47). The NT‐proBNP levels were measured using electroluminescence immunoassay. Left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD), fractional shortening (FS), and ejection fraction (EF) were determined by echocardiography.ResultsPatients receiving atorvastatin presented with reduced NT‐proBNP levels (1,552 ± 3,416 versus 3,771 ± 6,763 pg/mL; p < 0.01), and improved values of LVEDD (65.2 ± 8.9 versus 70.7 ± 10.9 mm; p < 0.05) and EF (33.2 ± 12.6 versus 28.2 ± 9.6%; p < 0.05). By contrast, plasma NT‐proBNP and cardiac parameters in patients treated with statins other than atorvastatin did not significantly differ from control. Atorvastatin treatment was equally effective in patients with ischemic and nonischemic HF.ConclusionsAtorvastatin treatment is associated with improved cardiac function in HF, and may represent an additional option for patients with this disease. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bone marrow mononuclear cells enhance anti-inflammatory effects of pravastatin against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

“…However, these results were comparable to those obtained with statins; for example, atrovastatin alone produced a significant decrease in N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide level in a previous study (Stypmann et al 2008).…”

Statin therapy decreases N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in HIV

“…Statins have been shown to reduce NT-proBNP 29 and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure 19,23 and particularly in those who have lower baseline plasma NT-proBNP levels 20,30 . In the CORONA 30 (Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure) trial, there was no significant differences in primary end- point (cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke) between patients taking 10 mg of rosuvastatin when compared to placebo, however when restricted to those patients with the lowest tertile of NT-proBNP the hazard ratio favored the patients assigned to rosuvastatin for the primary outcome (hazard ratio 0.65, p=0.005).…”

“…Data on the effect of statins on BNP levels in the HIV-uninfected populations is sparse and focuses on the therapeutic use in established heart failure. In the setting of heart failure, several studies have shown that plasma NT-proBNP levels are lower in patients who are taking statins 19,20 . To our knowledge, there are no data on the effect of statins on NT-proBNP levels in HIV infected participants or if NT-proBNP levels are associated with enhanced immune activation and inflammation in this population.…”

Prognostic impact of intensive statin therapy on N‐terminal pro‐BNP level in non‐ST‐segment elevation acute myocardial infarction patients

“…The same effect was not encountered upon using other statins, assuming that it is not a class effect. That might be related to physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of different statins . In the CORONA trial, there was no significant differences regarding incidence of cardiac mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke between patients taking either 10 mg of rosuvastatin or placebo.…”