RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Atorvastatin in pulmonary hypertension (apath) study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP erj01490-2011
DO 10.1183/09031936.00149011
A1 Zeng, W-J.
A1 Xiong, C-M.
A1 Zhao, L.
A1 Shan, G-L.
A1 Liu, Z-H.
A1 Xue, F.
A1 Gu, Q.
A1 Ni, X-H.
A1 Zhao, Z-H.
A1 Cheng, X-S.
A1 Wilkins, M.R.
A1 He, J-G.
A1 on behalf of the Atorvastatin in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (APATH) Study Group
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2012/02/22/09031936.00149011.abstract
AB Statins have been shown to both prevent and attenuate pulmonary hypertension in animal models. This study investigates the potential therapeutic benefits of atorvastatin as an affordable treatment for pulmonary hypertension patients.Two hundred and twenty patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) were randomised, double-blind, to receive atrovastatin 10 mg daily or matching placebo in addition to supportive care.At 6 months, 6-minute walk distance decreased by 16.6 m in the atorvastatin group and 14.1 m in the placebo group. The mean placebo-corrected treatment effect was −2.5 m (95% confidence interval: −38 to 33; p=1.0), based on intention to treat. A small non-significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and fall in cardiac output was seen in both treatment groups. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who improved, remained stable or showed a deterioration in WHO functional class between atorvastatin and placebo treatments. Nine patients died in the atorvastatin group and 11 in the placebo group. Serum cholesterol levels fell significantly on atorvastatin treatment. Discontinuation rates were 23.2% and 26.9% on atorvastatin and placebo respectively.Atorvastatin 10 mg daily has no beneficial effect on the natural history of PAH or CTEPH over 6 months.