Aggressive Statin Treatment After Bypass Surgery

In a retrospective analysis of patients who had previously undergone CABG, a higher dose of atorvastatin was associated with better outcomes than a lower dose.

Ischemia recurs in 10% to 15% of patients within 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery because of native coronary artery disease progression, development of saphenous vein graft lesions, or both. In this post hoc substudy of the TNT (Treating to New Targets) trial, investigators compared outcomes in 4654 patients with previous CABG who were randomized to treatment with either 80 mg/day or 10 mg/day of atorvastatin.

Compared with the 5347 study participants who had not undergone CABG, those who had were older, more likely to be male, and had higher baseline prevalences of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease; the lipid profiles in the two groups were similar. In the CABG patients, the mean LDL level was reduced by 51% (to …

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHeart Valve Collaboratory (Scientific Committee Member, Chair of the Publications Committee)