Usefulness of Statins for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is common with an annual incidence of 1 to 5 per 1,000, resulting in major morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. It is more common in the elderly, obese, those with cancer, those undergoing surgery, and those with previous VTE. Strategy to reduce its occurrence has important public health implications. Pleotropic effects of statins may have beneficial effects on a number of potential targets associated with VTE. Statins have excellent safety profile and seem to be associated with beneficial effects in VTE in case-control studies, large observational studies, meta-analyses, and a randomized trial. In conclusion, after critically reviewing the clinical data supporting statin use in the prevention of VTE, we presented clinical recommendations for the use of statins in reducing VTE occurrence, especially in high-risk situations.