Reduced Heart Failure and Mortality in Patients Receiving Statin Therapy Before Initial Acute Coronary Syndrome

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 May 24;79(20):2021-2033. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.03.354.

Abstract

Background: There is uncertainty regarding the impact of statins on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and its major complication, acute heart failure (AHF).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether previous statin therapy translates into lower AHF events and improved survival from AHF among patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as a first manifestation of ASCVD.

Methods: Data were drawn from the International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes Archives. The study participants consisted of 14,542 Caucasian patients presenting with ACS without previous ASCVD events. Statin users before the index event were compared with nonusers by using inverse probability weighting models. Estimates were compared by test of interaction on the log scale. Main outcome measures were the incidence of AHF according to Killip class and the rate of 30-day all-cause mortality in patients presenting with AHF.

Results: Previous statin therapy was associated with a significantly decreased rate of AHF on admission (4.3% absolute risk reduction; risk ratio [RR]: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.62-0.83) regardless of younger (40-75 years) or older age (interaction P = 0.27) and sex (interaction P = 0.22). Moreover, previous statin therapy predicted a lower risk of 30-day mortality in the subset of patients presenting with AHF on admission (5.2 % absolute risk reduction; RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-0.99).

Conclusions: Among adults presenting with ACS as a first manifestation of ASCVD, previous statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk of AHF and improved survival from AHF. (International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes [ISACS] Archives; NCT04008173).

Keywords: 30-day mortality; acute heart failure; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; statins.

Publication types

  • Clinical Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome*
  • Adult
  • Atherosclerosis* / epidemiology
  • Heart Failure* / complications
  • Heart Failure* / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Incidence

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04008173