BMC Surgery (Nov 2012)

Use of statins in lower extremity artery disease: a review

  • Gargiulo Giuseppe,
  • Giugliano Giuseppe,
  • Brevetti Linda,
  • Sannino Anna,
  • Schiattarella Gabriele Giacomo,
  • Serino Federica,
  • Carbone Andreina,
  • Scudiero Fernando,
  • Ferrone Marco,
  • Corrado Roberto,
  • Izzo Raffaele,
  • Chiariotti Lorenzo,
  • Perrino Cinzia,
  • Amato Bruno,
  • Trimarco Bruno,
  • Esposito Giovanni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2482-12-S1-S15
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. Suppl 1
p. S15

Abstract

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Abstract Background Lower extremity artery disease (LE-PAD) is one of the most common manifestations of atherosclerosis, particularly in elderly patients, and it is related to a high cardiovascular risk. Description It is well established that statin therapy is characterized by crucial benefits on cardiovascular system by limiting atherosclerotic progression and reducing cardiovascular events and mortality. A growing body of evidence support efficacy of statins in LE-PAD due to the ability of both reducing cardiovascular risk and improving walking distance and, hence, quality of life. Consequently, statin therapy should be considered in all LE-PAD patients and new LDL-cholesterol targets should be reached. Conclusions Our opinion is that statin therapy remains still underutilized or with inadequate dosage, so therapy of LE-PAD patients should be improved to obtain all the demonstrated benefits of statins.