Fluvastatin After Heart Transplantation

Safety and Efficacy of Fluvastatin in Heart Transplant Recipients

Statin therapy is a treatment with a proven positive impact on survival after heart transplantation. However, it is unclear whether the beneficial effect of this class of drugs depends solely on their LDL-lowering properties or on anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties. Thus, this study was designed to compare safety and efficacy of two different strategies: 1. high fixed statin dose vs. 2. low starting dose with LDL-driven doses adjustments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• De novo heart transplantation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy/intolerance to fluvastatin;
• Preexisting neuromuscular disorders;
• Significant liver disease and/or elevation of transaminase exceeding 3 times the ULN
• Severe renal impairment : creatinine > 3 mg/dL
• Intellectual/cognitive impairment likely to compromise informed consent or adherence to protocol or age <18 years.
• Patients refusal
• Pregnancy