Safety and vasopressor effect of rosuvastatin in septic patients

BackgroundStatins anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties improve vascular function in septic patients. The aim of this prospective study was to assess vasopressor effect and safety of rosuvastatin therapy in septic patient.MethodsOne hundred and eight patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with suspected or confirmed infection plus at least 2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria were included in this prospective double-blinded randomized two groups’ parallel study. Group R received standard therapy and rosuvastatin 20 mg/day and Group C received standard therapy with placebo/day for 14 days.The primary endpoint was number of acceptable blood pressure and systemic perfusion days (ABPSPD). Secondary outcome included time to initial ABPSPD, vasopressor dose and duration, arterial lactate, organ dysfunction or failure free days, ICU and hospital stay, 28 ICU and hospital mortality, CPK and transaminases level.ResultsThe number of ABPSPD was significantly increased 11(3) vs. 8 (3) (p = 0.0001), with a shorter time to initial ABPSPD 18(21) vs. 41(37) h (p = 0.0001) in Group R than Group C. Norepinephrine dose 0.8 (0.5) vs. 1.6 (0.6) and duration 3(2) vs. 6(3) were significantly reduced in Group R with no significant elevation in transaminases or CPK.ConclusionsRosuvastatin 20 mg/day in septic patients increased number ABPSPD, decreased time to initial ABPSPD, norepinephrine dose and duration, with no significant elevation in transaminases or CPK.