Statin use is associated with improved overall survival without affecting patency and limb salvage rates following open or endovascular revascularization

The aim of the study was to determine statin drug association with patency, limb salvage rates and survival after revascularization in patients with chronic limb ischemia. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent revascularization for intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia between 05/2001 and 12/2009. Patients were grouped based on statin therapy at the time of revascularization. Early postoperative outcomes as well as patency, limb salvage, and survival rates were compared between groups. Of 717 patients, 397 (55.4%) were on statins. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was significantly lower in the statin group. Patency and limb salvage rates were similar; however, survival was significantly better in the statin group. Non-statin use, coronary artery disease, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, renal insufficiency, critical limb ischemia, and age >70 years were found to be independently associated with decreased survival. Statin use was associated with improved survival, but not with long-term patency and limb salvage.