Perioperative statin use: an update.
Anesthesiol Clin. 2010 Dec;28(4):739-51
Authors: Kalarickal PL, Fox CJ, Tsai JY, Liu H, Kaye AD
HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are a proven modality to reduce serum cholesterol and have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular patients. Statins have also demonstrated improvements in postoperative outcomes among patients taking them in the perioperative period. Many of the studies are limited to select patient populations and/or select surgeries. This review will give an overview of the pharmacology of statins, summarize the mechanisms of the beneficial effects of statins, and provide an overview of evidence in the use of statins in the perioperative period.
PMID: 21074749 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]