TABLE 3.
Characteristics of the studies comparing statins versus placebo
| References | Comparison (intervention and time of outcome assessment) | Patient characteristics | Child-Pugh Class (A/B/C)/ Score, mean (± SD) | Statin Titration method | Mean statin dose (mean±SD; range) | Etiology | Initial number of patients | Number of patients for each comparison | HVPG measurement technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraldes16 | Simvastatin vs. Placebo 30 d |
Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension (HVPG ≥12 mm Hg) | 34/18/3 Placebo: 6.9 ± 1.9 Statin: 6.2 ± 1.3 |
Initial dose 20 mg for 15 d, increased to 40 mg if no safety issues | Simvastatin 40 mg | 49% HCV 42% alcohol 4% HBV 5% other |
59 (30 vs. 29) | 28 vs. 27 | Balloon catheter |
| Vijayaraghavan42 | Carvedilol+Simvastatin vs. Carvedilol 3 mo |
Patients with cirrhosis with esophageal varices and HVPG > 12 | NR | Initial dose 20 mg for 15 d, increased to 40 mg if no safety issues | Maximum Simvastatin dose: 40 (IQR: 20–40) mg/day | 40% MASLD 38% alcohol 8% HBV 9% HCV 5% cryptogenic |
220 (110 vs. 110) | 81 vs. 82 | Balloon catheter |
| Bishnu43 | Propranolol vs. propranolol+ atorvastatin 1 month |
Patients with cirrhosis with evidence of portal hypertension | Median Child-Pugh 6–6.5 | 20 mg | Atorvastatin 20 mg | 43% alcohol 39% cryptogenic 4.5% MALSD 4.5% HBV 4.5% autoimmune 4.5% Wilson |
23 (12 vs. 11) |
12 vs. 11 | NR |
Abbreviations: IQR, interquartile range; MASLD, metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease; NR, not reported.