Three months of simvastatin therapy vs. placebo for severe portal hypertension in cirrhosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pleiotropic effects of statins decrease intrahepatic resistance and portal hypertension.

Aim: We evaluated the effects of simvastatin on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and azygos vein blood flow in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: A 3-month prospective, randomized, triple-blind trial with simvastatin (40 mg/day) vs.