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Review
Statin therapy in patients with cirrhosis
  1. Andrew P Wright1,2,
  2. Srinath Adusumalli1,2,
  3. Kathleen E Corey2,3
  1. 1Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  2. 2Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  3. 3Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Kathleen E Corey, Massachusetts General Hospital, Gastroenterology Associates, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114-2696, USA; kcorey{at}partners.org

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death among patients with cirrhosis and following liver transplantation. Although 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (‘statins’) reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, fears about hepatotoxicity have historically led to underuse in patients with liver disease. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of statins can be significantly altered in cirrhosis, creating challenges with their use in liver disease. However, emerging data from randomised controlled trials and observational studies suggest that statin therapy appears to be safe and effective in patients with chronic liver disease and compensated cirrhosis. The cardiovascular risk benefits as well as the potential pleiotropic benefits of statins warrants strong consideration of use of statin therapy in patients with cirrhosis.

  • FATTY LIVER
  • CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
  • LIPIDS

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