Prognostic significance of Simvastatin therapy in patients with ischemic heart failure who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

We prospectively followed 202 patients with ischemic heart failure who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction <40%). Patients were divided into 2 groups: groups I (simvastatin group, n = 106, aged 60.8 +/- 10.3 years, men 71.7%) and II (non-simivastatin group, n = 96, aged 60.9 +/- 10.4 years, men 78.1%). During 1-year clinical follow-up, simvastatin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (1.9% vs 7.5%, p = 0.048), restenosis rate (25.7% vs 43.1%, p = 0.033), and repeat PCI rate (25.7% vs 43.1%, p = 0.033), and with significant improvement in LV ejection fraction (31% to 42% vs 32% to 39%, p = 0.042). The event-free survival rate was higher in group I than in group II(79.8% vs 57.0%, p = 0.001). In conclusion, simvastatin therapy improves LV systolic function and decreases mortality, restenosis, and repeat PCI rate in patients with ischemic heart failure who underwent PCI for acute myocardial infarction. (C)2005 by Excerpta Medica Inc.