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 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 postoperative 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.