Simvastatin as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension trial.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

In animal models of pulmonary hypertension, simvastatin has been shown to reduce pulmonary artery pressure and induce regression of associated right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy.

Objectives

To assess the therapeutic value of simvastatin in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

Forty-two patients with PAH were randomized to receive either simvastatin (80 mg/d) or placebo in addition to current care for 6 months, and thereafter offered open-label simvastatin. The primary outcome was change in RV mass, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Measurements and main results

At 6 months, RV mass decreased by 5.2 +/- 11 g in the statin group (P = 0.045) and increased 3.9 +/- 14 g in the placebo group. The treatment effect was -9.1

SUBMITTER: Wilkins MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2874452 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature