Use of Statins and the Subsequent Development of Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Abstract
RANDOMIZED clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are efficacious in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease among individuals with both normal and elevated lipid levels.1-4 In addition to their effect on lipid levels, these drugs seem to have antithrombotic properties.5 In a retrospective, subgroup analysis by the Heart Estrogen Replacement Study (HERS)6 investigators, statin use was associated with a 50% risk reduction of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, because statin use was one of many VTE risk factors studied and because its protective effect was not explored a priori, only limited conclusions can be drawn from these findings. Therefore, we further investigated whether statin use was associated with a reduction in the risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a large cohort of men and women.