South Korean Pitavastatin Heart Failure Study (SAPHIRE)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who accepted to enter the study by written informed consent
2. Age ≥ 30 years
3. LDL-cholesterol ≥ 70mg/dl

4. Chronic heart failure of :

   • NYHA class II ~ III
   • Ischemic etiology
   • Left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%
   • Optimal therapy for chronic heart failure and stable clinical condition over the two weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who participated in other studies 3 months before enrollment
2. Statin treatment within 2 months before enrollment
3. Unstable decompensated heart failure at enrollment
4. Acute coronary syndrome or cerebral vascular disease within 3 months before enrollment
5. Coronary revascularization within 3 months before enrollment or planned at enrollment
6. Any other serious disease or condition which might effect life expectancy such as malignancy, life-threatening infectious disease.
7. Serum creatinine levels >= 3.0 mg/dl
8. AST or AST levels >=2.5 times of ULN
9. CK levels >=2 times of ULN
10. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism : TSH level >= 2 times of ULN
11. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, women who want to bearing
12. Patients who might to be unsuitable by the decision of investigators