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Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology 2/2018

01-06-2018 | Liver (J Bajaj, Section Editor)

The Use of Statins in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

Authors: Carlos Moctezuma-Velázquez, MD, Juan G. Abraldes, MD, MSc, Aldo J. Montano-Loza, MD, PhD

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of review

Statins are drugs developed to treat hypercholesterolemia. Its use in patients with liver disease has been limited because one of its potential and most feared side effects is hepatotoxicity. However, there is robust evidence that supports the safety of statins in this population in the absence of severe liver dysfunction. In this review, we will summarize the efficacy and safety of statins in cirrhosis.

Recent findings

Statins are effective in the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with liver disease, because of their pleiotropic properties. These properties are independent of their effect on cholesterol levels, such as improving endothelial dysfunction or having antioxidant, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, proapoptotic, or immunomodulation properties. Statins have been studied in other areas such as in treatment of portal hypertension, prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma, and/or protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Summary

Approved indications for statins in patients with cirrhosis are those of the general population, including dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. Compensated cirrhosis is not a contraindication. In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, statins should be prescribed with extreme caution at low doses, and with frequent monitoring of creatinine phosphokinase levels in order to detect adverse events in a timely fashion.
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Metadata
Title
The Use of Statins in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
Authors
Carlos Moctezuma-Velázquez, MD
Juan G. Abraldes, MD, MSc
Aldo J. Montano-Loza, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1092-8472
Electronic ISSN: 1534-309X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-018-0180-4

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