The use of statins and fate of small abdominal aortic aneurysms

• Published in: Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery 2008-08, Vol.7 (4), p.578-581
• Main Authors: Mosorin, Martti, Niemela, Eija, Heikkinen, Jouni, Lahtinen, Jarmo, Tiozzo, Valentina, Satta, Jari, Juvonen, Tatu, Biancari, Fausto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - complications; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - drug therapy; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - surgery; Aortic Rupture - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Rupture - etiology; Aortic Rupture - prevention & control; Aortic Rupture - surgery; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Vascular Surgical Procedures
• ISSN: 1569-9293; 1569-9285
• DOI: 10.1510/icvts.2008.178103

Division of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, 90029 Oulu, Finland *Corresponding author. Tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone]. E-mail address : faustobiancari{at}yahoo.it (F. Biancari). The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of statins in reducing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth rate and improving freedom from aneurysm repair or rupture. One hundred and twenty-one patients with AAA undergoing ultrasonographic surveillance for at least one year were included in this retrospective study. Patients treated with statins had a decreased linear aneurysm growth rate than those not receiving statins (1.9±1.8 mm/year vs. 2.6±2.4 mm/year, P =0.27), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Statin users had a better survival freedom from aneurysm repair or rupture (at 5 years: 72.3% vs. 52.5%, P =0.048). The impact of treatment with statins was even more evident in patients with a baseline aneurysm diameter