Background: The randomized controlled ANZ-STATInS trial demonstrated that de novo statin use did not alter interleukin-6 levels or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in of what before SEPSIS-3 was known as severe sepsis. Prospective observational studies indicate that prior statin use sepsis is associated with a decreased rate of severe sepsis. We aimed to [...]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery occurs in 30% of cases with 1% requiring dialysis resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.  HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (“statins”) have been postulated to be of benefit in this population, however results from existing clinical studies have been inconsistent. Since there is abundance of evidence showing that short-term [...]

Background: Statin use has been shown to be beneficial in secondary stroke prevention. However, the optimal LDL level that should be achieved is still uncertain. Since there is a dearth of information, it is unclear if statins are useful in patients with stroke with baseline LDL ≤70 mg/dl in terms of morbidity and mortality outcomes. [...]

Background: It is estimated that nearly 20 million people are taking Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors) currently in the United States. The benefits of statins to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease are accepted universally. However, recent evidence indicates an increased risk of new onset diabetes mellitus (DM) in this population. A literature review was done to [...]

Background: Studies have shown that early exposure to statins preoperatively have been associated with significant reductions in perioperative mortality and improved post-operative outcomes [1]. Despite guideline recommendations, use of statin therapy remains sub-optimal [2]. A retrospective study at our institution revealed over 40% of patients that presented to our preoperative optimization clinic were not on [...]

Background: Recent data suggest that there are mortality benefits from preoperative statin therapy in patients at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Current guidelines recommend moderate or high intensity statin for all patients with established ASCVD or 10-year risk of > 7.5%. In our preoperative evaluation clinic which is staffed by hospitalists, there were [...]

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old African American male with hyperlipidemia on a statin presented with two days of generalized abdominal pain, malaise, and weakness. Physical exam was unremarkable. Initial labs were notable for WBCs of 22.7 X103/ml, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) of 28,992 U/L, BUN/Cr of 82/2.02, and AST of 957 U/L. Urine dipstick was positive for [...]

Case Presentation: A 71 year old female with past medical history of DM2, HTN, and CKD presented with weakness and body aches, progressing to inability to ambulate. Home medications included insulin, valsartan, and rosuvastatin. She was found to have a creatinine of 7.99 mg/dL from a baseline of 2 mg/dL. She was also found to [...]

Case Presentation: A 79-year-old woman with hypertension and hyperlipidemia arrived to the ER after a syncopal episode. She was found in intermittent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). She was treated medically, briefly regaining sinus rhythm with possible ischemic changes (Figure 1). She was transferred to a cardiac catheterization capable facility. The study showed proximal left anterior [...]

Case Presentation: A 71-year-old female was transferred from an outside hospital where she was being managed for an AKI following an episode of profuse vomiting and diarrhea. She reported a nine-year history of similar episodes and had received a diagnosis of cyclical vomiting syndrome in the past. She also endorsed 30 lb weight-loss over the [...]