Statins reduce events in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Effect of statin drugs on thoracic aortic aneurysms The American Journal of Cardiology, 10/09/2013 Clinical Article Stein LH et al. – Pharmacologic interventions for thoracic aneurysms remain poorly characterized. The results of a pilot study by the group suggested improved outcomes among patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm who were taking statins. These findings provide a medicinal option for the arsenal of treatment options for patients with aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. Methods The authors undertook a comprehensive analysis of a larger cohort of patients from the Database of the Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital. A total of 1,560 patients met the inclusion criteria. The adverse events (i.e., death, dissection, or rupture) and surgery rates for patients with (n = 369, 24%) and without (n = 1,191, 76%) statin therapy were compared. They evaluated 3 anatomic components of the aorta: root, ascending and arch, and descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Results A smaller proportion of the statin group had adverse events: overall, 7% versus 15%; ascending and arch, 6% versus 15%; and descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, 8% versus 20%. Also, a smaller proportion of statin patients required surgery: overall, 48% versus 60%; ascending and arch, 51% versus 62%; and descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, 36% versus 59% (p