Statin Drugs Lower Death And Amputation Risks For Peripheral Artery Disease Patients

Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins decrease risks of amputation as well as death in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD), compared to other PAD patients who do not take statins. Data also indicates that with higher doses of statins, the risks for patients comes down.

"PAD, a narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms and head, is the next cardiovascular epidemic," said Shipra Arya of the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga., and lead author of the study. "It is poorly recognized and not adequately treated compared to heart disease - and research is lacking on the optimal use of statins for PAD patients."

About 208,000 veterans with PAD were studied based on information taken from the Veterans Affairs' database. Patients on statin medications, as well as their dosage were identified in the follow-up periods that lasted 5.2 years.

Studying patients on PAD when they were on statins, scientists examined their risk of amputation or death. The veterans were organized into three groups---some cases who were on high doses, others on moderate to low doses and yet others on none.

Some PAD patients put on high doses tended to be at a 33 percent lower risk of amputation as well as 29 percent lower risk of death, compared to patients who did not take any statins. Even PAD patients exposed from low to moderate doses seemed to be at a 22 percent lower risk of amputation and death compared to those who took no statins.

"Ours is one of the largest population-based studies on PAD and suggests patients who have been diagnosed with PAD should be considered for placement on high dose statins upon diagnosis if they can tolerate it, along with other medical management, including smoking cessation, antiplatelet therapy and a walking program," said Arya, who also works as a staff physician at Atlanta V.A. Medical Center.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology/Peripheral Vascular Disease 2016 Scientific Sessions.