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. HYPOTHESIS: 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.
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. HYPOTHESIS: 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: Suengwon Lee; Robert J Levy; Abigail J Christian; Stanley L Hazen; Nathan E Frick; Eric K Lai; Juan B Grau; Joseph E Bavaria; Giovanni Ferrari Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2017-05-08 Impact factor: 5.501