JACC: Basic to Translational Science (Apr 2017)

Pravastatin But Not Simvastatin Improves Survival and Neurofunctional Outcome After Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • Stefan Bergt, MD,
  • Andrea Grub, MD,
  • Steffen Wagner, MD,
  • Hauke Engelke, MD,
  • Gabriele Nöldge-Schomburg, MD,
  • Brigitte Vollmar, MD,
  • Jan P. Roesner, MD,
  • Nana-Maria Wagner, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2
pp. 149 – 159

Abstract

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Summary: Cardiac arrest (CA) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with high mortality and poor neurological outcome. We compared the effects of pravastatin and simvastatin on survival and neurofunction in a murine model of CA/CPR. Pravastatin, a hydrophilic statin, increased survival and neurofunction during a 28-day follow-up period. This therapy was associated with improved pulmonary function, reduced pulmonary edema, and increased endothelial cell function in vitro. In contrast, lipophilic simvastatin did not modulate survival but increased pulmonary edema and impaired endothelial cell function. Although pravastatin may display a therapeutic option for post-CA syndrome, the application of simvastatin may require re-evaluation. Key Words: cardiac arrest, endothelial cell function, ischemia and reperfusion injury, pravastatin, resuscitation, simvastatin