Short-term statin treatment improves endothelial function and neurohormonal imbalance in normocholesterolaemic patients with non-ischaemic heart failure. Issue 11 (18th May 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strey, C H; Young, J M; Lainchbury, J H; Frampton, C M; Nicholls, M G; Richards, A M; Scott, R S
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 92:Issue 11(2006)
• Page Start: 1603
• Page End: 1609
• Publication Date: 2006-05-18
• Subjects: ANP, atrial natriuretic peptide -- BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide -- CHF, chronic heart failure -- CNP, C-type natriuretic peptide -- CV, coefficient of variation -- EID, endothelium-independent dilatation -- FMD, flow-mediated dilatation -- LDL, low density lipoprotein -- l-NMMA, NG-monomethyl-l-arginine -- NO, nitric oxide; Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2005.082560
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To investigate the effect of short-term statin treatment on impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and haemodynamic abnormalities typically occurring in chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: In a double-blind, crossover study endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was measured in conduit and resistance vessels of 23 patients with non-ischaemic CHF after 6 weeks of placebo and 40 mg atorvastatin. The haemodynamic impact was assessed by cardioendocrine hormones, echocardiography and clinical indicators of CHF. Results: Cholesterol concentrations were population average (low density lipoprotein 3.56 (SEM 0.16) mmol/l, triglycerides 1.70 (0.20) mmol/l and high density lipoprotein 1.17 (0.07) mmol/l). In resistance vessels, the area under the curve ratio during acetylcholine infusion increased from 9.2 (1.9) with placebo to 12.2 (2.1) with statin (p < 0.01). This improvement was reversed during co-infusion with the nitric oxide antagonist N G -monomethyl-l -arginine. In conduit arteries, flow-mediated dilatation increased from 5.64 (SEM 0.88)% with placebo to 6.83 (0.97)% with statin (p < 0.05). Endothelium-independent vasodilatation did not change (p = 0.68 for conduit and p = 0.45 for resistance vessels). Endothelin 1 and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) decreased from 1.57 (0.08) and 51.3 (1.0) with placebo to 1.42 (0.09) pg/ml (p < 0.05) and 42.1 (7.5) pmol/l (p < 0.05), respectively, with statin. Conclusions: In patients with non-ischaemic CHF and population-average cholesterol concentrations, short-term statin treatment improves endothelial function in conduit and resistance vessels and lowers plasma endothelin 1 and ANP concentrations.