Statins Improve The Results Of Vascular Surgery

Don Poldermans, M.D., Professor Erasmus, MC Internist Erasmus at the Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands, conducted a
study to show that lipid-lowering therapy would stabilize coronary plaques and improve postoperative outcome. Dr.
Poldermans hypothesized that the effect was anti-inflammatory in nature as opposed to directly related to lipid lowering
efficacy.


In a double blind, placebo-controlled trial, statin na??ve patients were randomly assigned to receive either 80 mg fluvastatin
extended release or a matched placebo starting 37 days prior to surgery.


To assess the influence on inflammation markers by
statin therapy interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were measured at randomization and immediately prior to surgery. 250 patients
were assigned to fluvastatin and 247 to placebo. Interleukin-6 and c-reactive protein concentrations remained stable in the placebo
group and decreased in the fluvastatin group.


The incidence myocardial infarction in fluvastatin and placebo allocated groups
respectively was 10.8 percent vs 19.0 percent and the incidence of the composite cardiac death and myocardial infarction was 4.8
percent vs 10.2 percent respectively. Fluvastatin therapy was associated with a reduction of inflammation activity and improved
postoperative cardiac outcome in elective vascular surgery patients.


VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd


Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.


VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.


veithsymposium


Source

Pauline T. Mayer

ptmhcm