HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) and aortic valve calcium

There is no known pharmacological therapy for calcific aortic valvular sclerosis or stenosis. Because leaflet calcification occurs in areas of lipoprotein deposition, we hypothesised that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG COA) reductase inhibitors (statins) might slow aortic valve calcium (AVC) accumulation. We retrospectively identified 65 patients who had undergone two electron-beam computed tomography scans at a mean (SD) interval of 2•5 (1•6) years. 28 (43%) patients were receiving statins. Patients who were treated with statins had a 62–63% lower median rate of AVC accumulation (p=0•006) and 44–49% fewer statin patients had definite AVC progression (p=0•043). These findings suggest that statins may decrease AVC accumulation.