Short-, mid-, and long-term benefits of peri-procedural high-intensity statin administration in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Administration of high intensity statins prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease has been shown to reduce short-, mid-, and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality as well as overall mortality compared with lower intensity statins or no statin treatment. The mechanisms involved are probably related to the pleiotropic effects of statins. Improved endothelial function, reduced low grade inflammation and decreased thrombotic diathesis might reduce cardiac injury, diffuse cardiac necrosis, myocardial infarction and no-reflow phenomenon. A decreased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) post-PCI might be an extracardiac mechanism that contributes to the reduction in all cause and CVD mortality. These results support the need for the administration of statins before PCI.

Key words::

• Chronic kidney disease
• Clinical events
• Contrast induced nephropathy
• High intensity statin treatment
• Percutaneous coronary intervention
• Survival

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Declaration of funding

This editorial was written independently. The authors did not receive financial or professional help with the preparation of the manuscript.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have given talks, attended conferences and participated in advisory boards and trials sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies. V.G.A. has nothing to declare. N.K. has disclosed that she has attended conferences and participated in trials sponsored by Novartis, Pfizer, MSD and WinMedica. A.K. has disclosed that he has given talks and attended conferences sponsored by Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, Menarini and Novartis. D.P.M. has disclosed that he has given talks and attended conferences sponsored by Merck, Sharp & Dohme and Genzyme. D.P.M. has disclosed that he is Editor-in-Chief of CMRO; V.G.A. has disclosed that he is on CMRO’s International Advisory Board. N.K. and A.K. have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article.

The CMRO peer reviewer on this manuscript has no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.