title: Can statins improve outcomes after isolated cardiac valve surgery? A systematic literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HMG CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors, or statins, have been associated with an improvement in outcomes after coronary artery surgery for some time; however, their role in isolated valve surgery (IVS) remains undetermined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The pleiotropic effects of statins may produce similar beneficial effects on outcomes after IVS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the literature was performed investigating the role of statins in bioprosthetic valve replacement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine observational studies (7 retrospective, 2 prospective) incorporating a total of 18 154 patients were found investigating the role of statin therapy in bioprosthetic valve replacement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is presently insufficient evidence to recommend routine statin therapy in IVS, unless concomitant hypercholesterolemia or coronary artery disease is present. A prospective study clearly defining the dose, type, and duration of therapy is now required to finally clarify whether statins alone confer a postoperative benefit in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chacko
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harling
authors.forename: Hutan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashrafian
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors