Do statins prevent acute kidney injury?

Statins were introduced as lipid-lowering agents with a specific action to decrease plasma cholesterol concentrations and they have led to significant reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Since their introduction, they have been found to have highly pleiotropic effects and potential use in many medical conditions well beyond cardiovascular disease alone. With their widespread and increasing use, adverse effects have also become apparent and it is suggested from the interrogation of observational data from large datasets that an early complication of statin use may be acute kidney injury (AKI).

This review explores the evidence relating to statins and the risks of AKI. The pathophysiology of AKI is considered and the statins are compared and contrasted. Statins have also been attributed with reno-protective effects and the literature relating to these circumstances are reviewed.

The question of whether statins cause AKI remains unresolved. Evidence suggests that statins may both protect or harm kidneys acutely and that risk varies with the condition and the dose and type of statin used. However, any current adverse data should not deter prescription of statins in patients where there is clear evidence for either primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.