The use of statins in the management of chronic liver disease

Cirrhosis-related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver disease. Once decompensated cirrhosis has established itself, the patients’ median survival is less than 2 years (1). It is therefore important to prevent the development of advanced brosis, and the ensuing clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) (2). At the present time, very few medications have a direct impact on portal hypertension, and beta-blockers are the only ones used regularly in clinical practice.