Have statins changed the natural history of atheromatous disease and its treatment?

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world and there are now numerous clinical trials demonstrating the beneficial effects of these medications on the natural history of atheromatous disease and its treatment. There is now voluminous data to show that patients treated by vascular surgeons benefit from statins and that these medications do effect the natural history of atheroma, its consequences, and treatment. This article will attempt to summarize the more relevant data that highlights the beneficial effects of statins in patients with peripheral arterial disease and how use of these drugs affects cardio-, peripheral, and cerebrovascular risk.