Idarubicin, Cytarabine, and Pravastatin Sodium in Treating Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia by World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 criteria, including patients with \>= 20% blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood (except acute promyelocytic leukemia), or myelodysplastic syndrome refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-2 by WHO classification or advanced myeloproliferative neoplasm with \>= 10% blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood, including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) CMML-2 by WHO 2008 classification * Untreated AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a simplified TRM score of =\< 9.2 * Bilirubin \< 2.0 mg/ml * Any creatinine value is acceptable * Any performance status is eligible * Life expectancy otherwise \> 1 year * Patients are not excluded based on cardiac history * Females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to enrollment * Patients must use an effective contraceptive method during the study and for a minimum of 90 days after study treatment * Capable of understanding the investigational nature, potential risks and benefits of the study, and able to provide valid informed consent