Effect of pravastatin on cardiac function and serum C-reactive protein levels in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of pravastatin on cardiac function and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods 90 patients with CHF were randomly divided into pravastatin group (n=45) and control group (n=45). Pravastatin 40mg/d was administered in addition to the routine treatment for pravastatin group; the control group was received the routine treatment. All patients with CHF were examined serum CRP levels, LVEF at pretherapy and 3 months by ultrasonic cardiogram. Results At 3 months C-reactive protein levels were degraded in varying degree, and the serum CRP levels in pravastatin group was significantly lower than that in control group [(15.47±9.83)mg/L vs (20.31±7.15)mg/L](P<0.05), LVEF was significantly higher than that in control group[(45.70±7.01)% vs (38.34±5.31)%](P<0.05); the serum CRP levels was positively related to LVEF (r=-0.495,P<0.05). Conclusion Pravastatin may improve the prognosis in patients with CHF, and can be used as a sensitive index for pravastatin treatment of CHF. Key words: Heart failure; congestive; C-reactive protein; Pravastatin