title: Patient understanding of the importance of statin use in the perioperative period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perioperative hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to assess patient understanding of the potential benefits of perioperative statins in a select population already on chronic therapy. A secondary aim was to determine the frequency with which patients recalled having a discussion with their provider regarding perioperative statins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients taking daily statins presenting to a preoperative medical evaluation clinic were offered a 12-question survey that assessed their understanding of the potential benefit of taking the medication in the perioperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-two patients completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 68.3 years (standard deviation, 9.0); 42% were female. The most frequent surgical referral to the clinic was orthopedics, at 36%. The most common statin prescribed was atorvastatin, in 35% of patients. Twenty-seven percent of patients (n = 36) recognized that perioperative statins are beneficial; 44% of these patients (n = 14) cited decreased cholesterol during the procedure as the reason, representing 12% of the total sampled population. Twenty-two percent (n = 8) of those recognizing the benefit of perioperative statins identified a decrease in the risk of heart attack or death as the reason. This represented only 6% of the total sample. One percent of surgeons mentioned statins in relation to the planned surgery; 2% of primary or prescribing physicians mentioned the medication in relation to surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggested low patient understanding of the potential importance and reasons for perioperative statins. In addition, this study also suggested that the information regarding the importance of perioperative statins is not being relayed to the patient at the level of the surgeon or primary care physician. All physicians involved in perioperative care can offer improved patient education to promote compliance with statin therapy in hopes of a favorable impact on perioperative outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Electronic address: doccubillo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Efrain I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Cubillo
authors.affiliation: Division of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine.
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hagstrom
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine.
authors.forename: Francis L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Division of Statistical Analysis, The Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Demenkoff
authors.affiliation: Division of Statistical Analysis, The Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Meng-Ru
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Division of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.
authors.forename: Terrence L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Trentman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000069059:Atorvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D032882:Comprehension; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000069059:Atorvastatin
keywords: cardioprotection; hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor; revised cardiac index; statins