Fatal hepatic failure following atorvastatin treatment: A case report

Atorvastatin is a commonly used statin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in people at high risk for coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease. However, fatal liver failure due to atorvastatin treatment has been rarely reported, especially during the very short incubation period. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old male patient was admitted due to unexplained chest pain. After admission, his liver function had decreased < 24 hours after taking 20 mg tablets of atorvastatin due to lacunar infarction, which was improved after drug withdrawal. The treatment regimen was restarted 15 days later, but within 16 hours, the patient developed multiple organ failure, including liver failure and renal failure. DIAGNOSES: The pathological results after 7 days indicated focal inflammatory necrosis, virus and autoimmune correlation tests were negative, which did not rule out drug-induced liver injury. Interventions: receiving artificial liver therapy, continuous renal replacement therapy and other organ support treatment. OUTCOMES: The patient died 18 days after admission. LESSONS: Statin idiosyncratic liver injury is very rare, but the consequences can be serious.