Effect of statins and calcium channel blockers on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease mortality in 958 Chinese hospitalized patients with peripheral arterial disease after 13 months of follow-up

Many clinical trials showed that antiatherosclerotic drugs could significantly reduce the mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of statins, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers; (ARBs), antiplatelet drugs, beta-blockers, diuretics, and hypoglycemic drugs in hospitalized Chinese patients with PAD. Nine hundred fifty-eight hospitalized patients (mean age 72.35 +/- 9.39 years, 472 male) with PAD were continuously enrolled in a cohort study from June to December 2004 and followed up for 13.31 +/- 0.11 months. Cox's proportional hazards model analysis of mortality adjusted for other risk factors in relation to diuretics, statins, CCBs, and risk factors showed that diuretic use [relative risk (RR) 1.682, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.184-2.389] was independently associated with an increased all-cause mortality rate, but statins; (RR 0.457, 95% CI: 0.306-0.681) and CCBs (RR 0.677, 95% CI: 0.469-0.978) were independently associated with a decreased all-cause mortality rate during 13 months of follow-up. Statins (RR 0.459, 95% CI: 0.257-0.820) and CCBs (RR 0.443, 95% CI: 0.243-0.810) were significantly associated with a decreased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality rate during 13 months of follow-up. Statins and CCBs were independent protective factors against all-cause mortality and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease mortality, while diuretic use was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients with PAD during the 13 months of follow-up.