Pre-Operative Atorvastatin Therapy to Decrease the Systemic Inflammatory Response after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The effect of pre-operative atorvastatin on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), often seen after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was evaluated in 40 patients undergoing elective CABG. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (pre-operative LDL cholesterol > or = 100 mg/dl; n = 20) received 20 mg/day atorvastatin for at least 15 days pre-operatively; group II (pre-operative LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl; n = 20) did not receive antihyperlipidaemic agents. All patients underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood samples were taken pre-operatively and 24 h post-operatively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic, pre-operative or operative parameters. At 24 h post-operatively, median high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and mean interleukin-6 levels were significantly lower in group I compared with group II. There were no other significant differences in post-operative parameters between the two groups, except for duration of stay in the intensive care unit, which was shorter in group I patients. In conclusion, pre-operative atorvastatin treatment in patients undergoing elective CABG decreased inflammation parameters and could be effective in preventing SIRS.