Statin therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias

OBJECTIVES: The study sought to assess the impact of statin therapy on survival in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. BACKGROUND: Data regarding the outcome of patients with statin therapy presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias is limited. METHODS: A large retrospective registry was used including all consecutive patients presenting with ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) from 2002 to 2016. Patients with statin were compared to patients without statin therapy (non-statin). The primary prognostic endpoint was long-term all-cause death at 3 years. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were applied in propensity-score matched cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 424 matched patients was included. The rates of VT and VF were similar in both groups (VT: statin 71% vs. non-statin 68%; VF: statin 29% vs. 32%; p = 0.460). Statin therapy was associated with lower all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up (mortality rates 16% versus 33%; log rank, p = 0.001; HR = 0.438; 95% CI 0.290–0.663; p = 0.001), irrespective of the underlying type of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT/VF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 35%, presence of an activated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiogenic shock or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CONCLUSION: Statin therapy is independently associated with lower long-term mortality in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias on admission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02982473, 11/29/2016, Retrospectively registered.