title: Do aspirin and statins prevent severe sepsis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sepsis is an inflammatory condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Given the lack of specific therapies for the condition, prevention has garnered significant interest and increased importance. The article reviews the current literature regarding the use of aspirin and statins for the prevention of sepsis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aspirin and statins have been integral in the prevention of atherosclerotic disease. Additionally, statins have proven beneficial in the prevention of nonatherosclerotic conditions secondary to their pleiotropic effects. In animal models, this pleiotropism modulates many inflammatory pathways of sepsis. The platelet also plays an integral role in this inflammatory cascade of sepsis. Scientific data indicates that antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin, may attenuate these undesirable effects of platelets. Finally, observational studies have shown that patients taking statins have a decreased incidence of sepsis and septic shock, and aspirin may potentiate these benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sepsis is a deadly and costly condition with no available, specific treatment options. The statins and aspirin are well tolerated and widely used for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Because of their effects on the immune system and inflammatory pathways, they may present viable medical options for the prevention of sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70805, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Hollis R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: O'Neal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D023421:Models, Animal; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin