Low-density lipoprotein in the setting of congestive heart failure: is lower really better?

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), CAD mortality, and incident heart failure (HF). Lipid-lowering therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) has been shown to reduce the risk of developing HF in patients with CAD. However, in patients with chronic established HF, hypercholesterolemia has not been associated with an increased risk of mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that higher lipid and lipoprotein levels, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, are associated with significantly improved outcomes in HF of both ischemic and nonischemic etiologies. In light of the association between high cholesterol levels and improved survival in HF, statin or other lipid-lowering therapy in HF remains controversial. To date, large outcome trials of statin therapy in HF of multiple etiologies have not demonstrated mortality benefit.