F-17 | Slowing Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Growth With Statins: A Meta-Analysis

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are worrisome for their propensity to dissect. Previous studies show potential benefits with statins, particularly with aortic aneurysm growth. This meta-analysis assesses if statins diminish TAAs growth. Multiple databases were searched to identify studies assessing TAAs growth in patients on statins (cases) and those not on statins (controls). The primary outcome was TAA (ascending/aortic arch) growth rate per year. Standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with a random-effects model using the inverse-variance technique. We assigned I2>50% as an indicator of statistical heterogeneity. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Data analysis was completed using SPSS v.25.0. Four studies comprising 757 cases (male 64%, mean age 65±14 years) and 1696 controls (male 62%, mean age 61±18 years) were included. The baseline diameters of TAA for cases and controls were 40.35±8.75mm and 42.39±12.60mm, respectively. Pooled results suggested that statins were associated with slower growth of TAAs with pooled SMD -0.70 mm/year; (95% CI [-1.23] – [-0.16]; p=0.01). Heterogeneity (I2) statistics among 4 studies was 95%. This pooled meta-analysis showed that statins are associated with slower growth of TAAs. However, given the heterogeneity of the included in this metanalysis, results should be interpreted with caution.