Statin Therapy

Colleen      G. Koch

Abstract

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are primarily used to treat dyslipidemia. Yet, these medications have a number of additional important pleiotropic properties that confer patient benefit in terms of reduced cardiovascular morbidity. Investigators have reported that statins may be underutilized in patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures. Periprocedural benefits have been reported both in the short-term as well as with long – term post discharge follow-up period for both surgical and percutaneous coronary interventions. Mechanisms for statin’s demonstrated benefit include improved endothelial function, antiinflammatory properties and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. While there are well-recognized side effects to statin therapy, its beneficial impact on patient cardiovascular outcomes is clear. Further research is necessary to determine specific patients who would best benefit from preoperative statin therapy, the dose and duration of therapy prior to surgical interventions and the influence of administration following surgery.

Keywords: Statins, inflammation, cardiovascular morbidity, surgery, perioperative outcomes

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