[Effects of simvastatin on acute-phase protein levels after cardiac surgery].
OBJECTIVE
There is contradictory evidence as to whether the pleiotropic effects of statins improve morbidity/mortality rates in coronary artery bypass grafting with extracorporeal circulation, as they reduce the protein plasma levels in the acute phase.


METHODS
This randomized prospective study included 44 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting with extracorporeal circulation who were allocated to one of 2 groups: group A (n = 22), patients taking simvastatin, and group B, control (n = 22). The plasma levels of interleukin-6, complement 4 and C-reactive protein were determined.


RESULTS
No significant differences were noted between the 2 groups with respect to the acute-phase protein levels, or the postoperative complications. In both groups, compared with the initial levels, interleukin-6 levels peaked at 6 h after surgery and C-reactive protein at 48 h. Complement 4 levels decreased from the start of the cardiopulmonary bypass and returned progressively toward the baseline value at 48 h after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Simvastatin in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass produces no significant differences in the levels of acute-phase protein.
Tamayo
Eduardo
E
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain. tamayo@med.uva.es
Alonso
Oscar
O
Alvarez
Francisco Javier
FJ
Castrodeza
Javier
J
Flórez
Santiago
S
di Stefano
Salvatore
S
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D003181:Complement C4; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019821:Simvastatin