Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with reduced survival in elderly patients with heart failure

This study was published in Cardiology 2014;127(1):45-50

Study title and authors:
Low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a negative predictor of survival in elderly patients with advanced heart failure.

Charach G, Rabinovich A, Ori A, Weksler D, Sheps D, Charach L, Weintraub M, George J.
The Department of Internal Medicine 'C', Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24217704

This study aimed to examine the impact of statins and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels on survival rates in elderly patients with moderate and severe heart failure. The study included 212 patients, average age 77 years, who were followed for 3.7 years. The patients were divided into three groups according to LDL cholesterol levels:
(i) Group one had LDL cholesterol levels less than 90 mg/dL (2.32 mmol/l).
(ii) Group two had LDL cholesterol levels between 90-115 mg/dL (2.32-3.00 mmol/l).
(iii) Group three had LDL cholesterol levels above 115 mg/dL (3.00 mmol/l).

The study found:
(a) The total cholesterol levels of group one patients was 31% lower than group three patients.
(b) Group one patients were over twice as likely to be on statins than group three patients.
(c) Only 34% of group one patients survived longer than 50 months whereas 58% of group three patients survived longer than 50 months.

Charach concluded: "Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced survival in elderly patients with clinically controlled moderate and severe heart failure. Statins were independently and significantly associated with a higher risk of mortality".