Statins in the prevention of perioperative cardiovascular complications

This is a review of recent experimental and clinical evidence for the use of perioperative statins to reduce cardiovascular complications.

Clinical trials have demonstrated an improved survival of statin users in the perioperative period. This beneficial effect of statins is ascribed to the non-lipid lowering effect to stabilize vulnerable plaques, thereby preventing myocardial ischaemia and infarction. The proposed mechanism of this cardioprotective effect is by the anti-inflammatory properties of statins. The fear of adverse perioperative effects of statin use, i.e. rhabdomyolysis, has not been confirmed in clinical studies.

The anti-inflammatory properties of statins appear to have an important effect on coronary plaque stabilization in the perioperative setting, resulting in a reduction in perioperative cardiovascular complications.