What the trial was testing
The STOP-CA enrolled 300 patients with heart failure. The study was sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
9% had heart pumping decline on atorvastatin vs. 22% on the inactive pill.
JAMA · 2023 · NCT02943590
These findings — that developed heart pumping decline on atorvastatin vs. inactive pill during chemotherapy — were published in the JAMA and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 300 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with heart failure, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Atorvastatin (Lipitor and generics) is FDA-approved for cholesterol and is available now as a low-cost generic. Cardio-oncology centers increasingly recommend it for high-risk patients on anthracyclines. Ask your oncologist or cardiologist whether it fits your risk profile.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open heart failure trials
Screening of Predictive Biomarkers for Cardiorenal Syndrome
This study aims to explore the predictive value of specific biomarkers for cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Building on previous research using Luminex technology, which identified that serum levels of SLPI, serpin E1, CXCL10, and CXCL13 were significantly higher, while properdin levels were lower in patients with post-cardiac surgery acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those without renal impairment, this study will further investigate these biomarkers in the context of CRS. Adults aged 18-75 with stable CHF (including HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF subtypes) will be conducted in two phases:1. Screening phase: Compare serum levels of the above biomarkers between 30 CHF patients without kidney dysfunction and 30 CHF patients with CRS to identify biomarkers with significant differences. 2. Validation phase: Follow 90 CHF patients with normal kidney function for 1 year, and divide them into CHF-only and CRS groups based on renal function (creatinine and eGFR) after 1 year. The study will verify the predictive value of the screened biomarkers by comparing their levels before and after follow-up, analyzing correlations with NT-proBNP, creatinine, and eGFR, and using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate their predictive efficacy for CRS. The optimal predictive biomarker for this syndrome will be determined. The participants will: Provide blood samples for the detection of biomarkers and liver and kidney function indicators. Receive one year of standardized heart failure treatment. Undergo regular follow-up visits.
Absolute Coronary Flow in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Left Bundle Branch Block With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients with LVEF of ≤35% and left bundle branch block (LBBB). However, approximately one-third of CRT-recipients do not improve after therapy (non-responders), despite meeting the required criteria. Previous studies have documented that the positive respons to CRT is related to the delayed electrical activation of the left ventricle in patients with LBBB. It has also been illustrated that non-ischemic CRT-candidates with LBBB demonstrate lower regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism in the septum. Additionally, it has been suggested that LBBB can lead to impaired coronary blood flow in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). This observation is based on an echocardiography-based study, that showed that the percentage of diastolic flow duration (%DD) in LAD was shorter in patients with LBBB compared to the control-group and patients with right-ventricular pacing. It has been demonstrated that CRT has positive effects on septal myocardial perfusion in patients with HF and LBBB. The dominant hypothesis explaining this phenomenon is built on improved septal myocardial work after CRT-implantation, which leads to increased myocardial energy and therefore increased myocardial perfusion. In contrast, it has been suggested that due to re-established synchronous left ventricular electrical activation, CRT reduces the septal intramyocardial pressure in early diastole, leading to a relatively longer antegrade flow duration in LAD. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of CRT on coronary blood flow in LAD in patients with non-ischemic HF and LBBB. The investigators hypothesize that increased LV-function after CRT not only is due to resynchronized LV ejection and filling, but also improved coronary flow. The study aims to enroll 60 patients with heart failure due to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, LBBB, with or without CRT. All patients meeting the criteria will be recruited from the outpatient clinic at the Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital. Invasive flow measurements in the LAD, including fractional flow reserve (FFR), absolute coronary flow and -reserve will be conducted with the CRT on and off, respectively.