Treating diastolic heart failure with statins: "phat" chance for pleiotropic benefits.

Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is a significant healthcare problem.1,2 Nearly 50% of all patients with chronic heart failure have DHF. Once hospitalized for heart failure, patients with DHF have a 50% chance of rehospitalization within 6 months. Patients with DHF have a 5% to 6% yearly mortality rate. It is estimated that treating patients with DHF costs in excess of $3.5 billion/year. Despite the significant impact that DHF has on heart failure incidence, prognosis, and cost, only 1 large randomized clinical trial has been completed that examined the treatment of patients with DHF, Candesartan cilexitil (Atacand) in Heart failure Assessment of Reduction Mortality and morbidity-Preserved (CHARM-Preserved).3