Preoperative statin therapy decreases risk of postoperative renal insufficiency

Although current guidelines recommend withholding statins in perioperative patients, little information is available on whether perioperative statin use increases risk for postoperative renal failure.

We examined the relation between preoperative statin therapy and postoperative risk for renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Retrospective cohort review from the Texas Heart Institute research database was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received preoperative statins and those who did not. Primary outcome was the development of postoperative renal insufficiency (requiring dialysis or not). Outcomes were assessed in the entire cohort and in subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), isolated valve surgery, or combined CABG and valve surgery.

Of 3001 patients, 56% received preoperative statins. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative statins were associated with significant reductions in risk for postoperative renal insufficiency in the entire cohort (odds ratio [OR]= 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.95) and in patients undergoing isolated CABG (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.68). In patients undergoing isolated valve surgery (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 0.61-2.96) or combined CABG and valve surgery (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.48-3.99), preoperative statins were not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency. Age >65 years, preoperative renal insufficiency, history of congestive heart failure, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, and total cardiopulmonary bypass time >80 min were also independent predictors associated with increased risk for postoperative renal insufficiency.

Preoperative statin therapy was associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries, particularly in patients undergoing isolated CABG.