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Statin Use Linked to Improved Function and Survival of Lung Allografts

Reuters Health Information 2003. © 2003 Reuters Ltd.

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 22 - Statins decrease the frequency and

severity of rejection episodes and improve allograft function and overall

survival in lung transplant recipients, according to a new study

published in the May 1st issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and

Critical Care Medicine.Dr. R. Duncan and colleagues from the

University of Pittsburgh studied 200 consecutive lung allograft

recipients, 39 of whom were prescribed statins for hyperlipidemia. They

report that the overall incidence of acute rejection diagnosed by lung

biopsy was significantly lower among patients taking statins than those

not taking statins (15% vs. 26%, p < 0.01). Chronic rejection

(obliterative bronchiolitis) was also markedly lower in lung transplant

patients taking statins.Bronchoalveolar lavage of statin recipients also

showed " fewer immune effector cells, an independent but corroborative

indication that these recipients had reductions in intragraft

inflammation, " they investigators say. Statin use decreased the need for

immunosuppressants and was associated with better pulmonary

function.Perhaps most surprising, Dr. Duncan told Reuters Health, was

that the 6-year survival of statin users was much greater than that of

non-statin users: 91% vs. 54% (p < 0.01). Dr. Duncan's team hopes to

replicate their retrospective findings in a prospective, blinded trial

set to get underway soon. If successful, " statin therapy would be a

readily available, and generally well tolerated medication that, to my

knowledge, would be the first treatment that clearly improves outcome and

survival of these patients, since the introduction of cyclosporine two

decades ago, " Dr. Duncan told Reuters Health.Am J Respir Crit Care Med

2003; 167:1271-1278.