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A possible role for statin therapy in solitary pancreas transplantation?
1University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
Introduction:
Statin use after renal transplantation improves long-term outcome and reduces the incidence of glomerulonephritis. With both anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects, statins may also improve outcomes in pancreas transplantation.
Methods:
A retrospective review at a single institution was undertaken. Patients who underwent solitary pancreas transplantation between 2001 and 2010 were identified. Multiple data points including recipient and donor demographics, patient and graft outcomes, and early use of statins were collected.
Results:
Sixty-eight patients underwent solitary pancreas transplantation within the study period. Eighteen patients (26%) were already on, or were prescribed, a statin at the time of hospital discharge; the 1-year death-censored graft survival was 81.25% for those that were on statins versus 72.9% for those without (P = NS). Excluding patients with early graft loss (<600 days) mean graft survival was 646 days longer for patients receiving statins (P = .02).
Conclusions:
The use of statins in the solitary pancreas transplant patient may lead to improved outcomes. Whether this is owing to cardiovascular protection or to other factors not associated with lipid lowering remains unclear.
