Statins are associated with decreased mortality in abdominal, but not in thoracic aortic aneurysm patients undergoing endovascular repair: propensity score-adjusted analysis.
BACKGROUND
Purpose of this study was to compare the correlation of statin use with long-term mortality in patients with abdominal (AAA) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).


METHODS
We compared long-term survival of 731 AAA and 59 TAA patients undergoing elective endovascular repair (EVAR). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared by the log-rank method. Propensity score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine independent associations of statin use on vital status after EVAR.


RESULTS
Statin use was associated with decreased long-term mortality in AAA patients in bivariate and multivariable regression analysis, in which the effect of propensity to receive a statin was considered (adjusted HR: .613, 95%-CI: .379- .993, p = .047) whereas mortality of TAA patients was not associated with use of statins (adjusted HR: 1.795, 95%-CI: .147 -21.942, p = .647).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of statins is an independent predictor of decreased mortality after elective EVAR in AAA, but not in TAA patients. These findings indirectly support the concept of a distinct pathogenesis of AAA and TAA.
Diehm
N
N
Department of Heart and Vessel, Division of Angiology Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Switzerland. diehm@gmx.ch
Becker
G
G
Katzen
B
B
Benenati
J
J
Kovacs
M
M
Dick
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors