Abstract 88: The effect of statins on incidence of infections after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

Statin therapy has been associated with improved outcomes in patients with infections. Our aim was to determine whether preoperative statin therapy is associated with a decrease in the incidence of infections after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6,253 patients undergoing isolated CABG from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010 (3,869 receiving statins and 2,384 not receiving statins). Primary outcome was the development of any postoperative infection (composite of deep sternal wound infection, leg harvest-site infection, pneumonia and sepsis) after CABG. Secondary outcome was the effect of statins on incidence of each aforementioned infection individually. Logistic regression analyses were performed. Results (Table): Incidence of any postoperative infection in patients who received statins preoperatively was 6.5% (250 of 3,869) compared to 8.3% (198 of 2,384) in controls. In fully adjusted models, preoperative statin therapy was independently associated with a significant reduction in the development of any postoperative infection. Among individual infections, preoperative statin therapy was associated with a reduced incidence of sternal wound and leg harvest site infections. An association with a reduced incidence of pneumonia and sepsis was not found. Conclusions: Preoperative statin use is associated with a decreased incidence of sternal wound infections and leg harvest site infections after CABG