The role of statin treatment in valvular heart disease: is the jury still out?

Abstract

Valvular heart disease (VHD) represents a signifi cant burden within the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, there has been a great interest in fi nding medical treatments able to slow the progression of VHD. The negative results of several large randomized trials failing to demonstrate a benefi t of such therapies, has led to a decrease of interest in this fi eld. However, fi nding a medical treatment capable of preventing VHD progression is still a hot topic, due to the important clinical implications. We believe that the jury is still out on the debate about the role of statin therapy in VHD, considering also recently published studies providing new information with future implications for the treatment of this disease process. This article gives an overview of the published evidence about the role of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors on delaying progressive valve dysfunction. A preventive therapy, which could infl uence not only the haemodynamic progression of valve disease, but also the cardiovascular outcome, is warranted. Large, prospective, randomized trials are needed to properly evaluate the role of statins in the early stages of valvular heart disease.