3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors reduce the risk of perioperative stroke and mortality after carotid endarterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
There is increasing evidence that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events through anti-inflammatory, plaque stabilization, and neuroprotective effects independent of lipid lowering. This study was designed to investigate whether statin use reduces the incidence of perioperative stroke and mortality among patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).


METHODS
All patients undergoing CEA from 1994 to 2004 at a large academic medical center were retrospectively reviewed. The independent association of statin use and perioperative morbidity was assessed via multivariate logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
CEA was performed by 13 surgeons on 1566 patients (987 men and 579 women; mean age, 72 +/- 10 years), including 1440 (92%) isolated and 126 (8%) combined CEA/coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. The indication for CEA was symptomatic disease in 660 (42%) cases. Six hundred fifty-seven (42%) patients received a statin medication for at least 1 week before surgery. Statin use was associated with a reduction in perioperative strokes (1.2% vs 4.5%; P < .01), transient ischemic attacks (1.5% vs 3.6%; P < .01), all-cause mortality (0.3% vs 2.1%; P < .01), and median (interquartile range) length of hospitalization (2 days [2-5 days] vs 3 days [2-7 days]; P < .05). Adjusting for all demographics and comorbidities in multivariate analysis, statin use independently reduced the odds of stroke threefold (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.35 [0.15-0.85]; P < .05) and death fivefold (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.20 [0.04-0.99]; P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that perioperative statin use may reduce the incidence of cerebrovascular events and mortality among patients undergoing CEA.
McGirt
Matthew J
MJ
Department of Neurosurgery, the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Perler
Bruce A
BA
Brooke
Benjamin S
BS
Woodworth
Graeme F
GF
Coon
Alexander
A
Jain
Shamik
S
Buck
Donald
D
Roseborough
Glen S
GS
Tamargo
Rafael J
RJ
Heller
Jennifer
J
Freischlag
Julie A
JA
Williams
George M
GM
D000368:Aged; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors