Preoperative Statin Use is Associated With Lower Incidence of Limb Loss After Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions

Background Statin therapy is the primary lipid-lowering agent used in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Although the benefits of statins have been described in the literature, most studies have focused on postoperative statin use and outcomes in major upper body vasculature. Our study aimed to assess the impact of statin therapy on postoperative outcomes of lower extremity endovascular interventions including mortality and amputation rates. Methods American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2012 to 2019 was utilized for this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those on preoperative statins (Group I) and those not on statins (Group II). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess statin’s effect on postoperative outcomes. Results A total of 12,217 patients (72.7%) were in Group I and 4599 patients (27.3%) were in Group II. The distribution of primary outcomes was as follows: Amputation (Group I: 3% vs Group II: 3.9%, P <.05) and Mortality (Group I: 1.6% vs Group II: 1.9%, P = .086). Statin use was associated with decreased amputation rates. Patients with tissue loss were 5 times more likely to undergo amputations (AOR: 5.58 [CI 2.29-13.63] P < .01) within 30-days postoperatively as compared to those whose presenting symptoms were claudication. Conclusion Statin therapy was associated with a decreased limb loss within 30-days after intervention at the time of lower extremity endovascular intervention. Patients presenting with rest pain and tissue loss had a higher incidence of limb loss than claudicants.