HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) and aortic valve calcium.
retrospective_cohort · Level III
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Abstract
There is no known pharmacological therapy for calcific aortic valvular sclerosis or stenosis. Because leaflet calcification occurs in areas of lipoprotein deposition, we hypothesised that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG COA) reductase inhibitors (statins) might slow aortic valve calcium (AVC) accumulation. We retrospectively identified 65 patients who had undergone two electron-beam computed tomography scans at a mean (SD) interval of 2.5 (1.6) years. 28 (43%) patients were receiving statins. Patients who were treated with statins had a 62-63% lower median rate of AVC accumulation (p=0.006) and 44-49% fewer statin patients had definite AVC progression (p=0.043). These findings suggest that statins may decrease AVC accumulation.