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

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.