The effect of statin therapy on the formation of arteriovenous fistula stenoses and the rate of reoccurrence of previously treated stenoses

Statins reduce inflammation in end-stage renal disease patients and improve endothelial function beyond cholesterol lowering. Despite this, statins do not improve the maturation rate, primary patency rate, and the cumulative survival of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). It is unknown if statins decrease the number of stenoses developing in AVFs or prolong the intervals between angioplasties needed to treat recurring stenoses. We conducted a retrospective chart review of our 265 active dialysis patients. The statin group was significantly more likely to be diabetic (64% vs. 43.6%) and treated with aspirin (64% vs. 40%) when compared to those not treated with statins (P=0.04 and 0.01). The mean time to first intervention (primary patency) was 16.5months in statin users and 15.8months in the nonstatin group (P=0.49) with standard deviations of +/- 18.5 and 16.6months, respectively. Statin use was not associated with a significant decrease in the number of stenoses diagnosed (P=0.28). The mean time between recurrent stenoses' angioplasties was 8.9months in statin users and 7.3months in the nonstatin patients (P=0.25). Aspirin users were more likely to have a decreased primary patency (rate ratio=1.65, P=0.03) compared with nonaspirin users. Patients who were prescribed aspirin developed 1.6 (P 0.01) times more stenoses than those not treated with aspirin. We report for the first time that statin therapy does not decrease the number of stenotic lesions developing in the AVF or prolong the interval between procedures required to treat recurrent stenoses.