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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2015; 123(10): 577-580
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1564093
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Safety and Benefit of Statins in Liver Cirrhosis: a Review

K. Souk
1   Endocrinology and Metabolism, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
,
M. Al-Badri
1   Endocrinology and Metabolism, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
,
S. T. Azar
2   Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, New York, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 03 March 2015
first decision 26 July 2015

accepted 21 August 2015

Publication Date:
24 November 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a primary, major risk factor for coronary artery disease CAD. The prevalence of dyslipidemia had decreased over the past 30 years, which may in part be explained by the steady increase in the use of lipid-lowering drug therapy, especially statins. Cardiovascular risk has been shown to be greater in liver disease (20% in the liver cirrhosis vs. 12% in the general population), where statins can play an important role as a primary and secondary prevention for CAD. Given patients with chronic liver disease, especially liver cirrhosis are at risk of decreased hepatic clearance, there is concern that this patient population may be at higher risk for complications from statin therapy. Several retrospective studies showed that statin use in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is safe, and even it was associated with lower mortality and lower rate of hepatic decompensation. This review discusses the safety and the different mechanisms where statins can decrease the rate of complications in liver cirrhosis, including portal hypertension, sepsis and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Key words

liver cirrhosis - statins - decompensation - safety - hepatocellular carcinoma
 

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