Association of statin use and left ventricular function in patients with breast cancer receiving trastuzumab

Abstract

Aims We examined the association between statin use and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during trastuzumab therapy in women with breast cancer. Methods: This post-hoc analysis of the CHECK HEART-BC study included 215 patients with normal baseline LVEF and 12-month echocardiographic follow-up. We assessed LVEF at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months by statin use. Results Of 215 women, 31 (14%) were receiving statins. Baseline LVEF was comparable between groups. After a similar decline at 3 months, LVEF trajectories diverged, with better preservation among statin users apparent at 9 months and most pronounced at 12 months. Statin use was associated with attenuated LVEF decline over time in an adjusted longitudinal model (interaction estimate, 0.27; standard error, 0.10; P = 0.005). Conclusions Statin use was associated with better LVEF preservation during trastuzumab therapy, particularly during later follow-up. These findings are hypothesis generating and require confirmation in randomized trials.