الفهرس 
AcknowledgmentOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Sepsis syndrome is an intense inflammatory response, which reflects a delicate interaction between the extensive activation of host defense mechanisms and direct and indirect effects of the invading microorganisms and their toxins.
Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, not only reduce cholesterol level but also cause modulation of both innate and adaptive immune system and anti-inflammatory effects In addition, statins have been shown to have direct inhibitory effects on pathogenic microorganisms.
Therefore, statins may be good candidates as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment and prevention of sepsis because they target a number of pathways that are dysregulated during the sepsis process and because of their direct antimicrobial effects.
Our study aimed at evaluating the effect of statins in improving the prognosis of patients diagnosed with sepsis admitted to intensive care unit of Suez Canal University Hospital. This study assumed that the use of statinsin the early management of patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care unit together with the use of appropriate antibiotics and supportive measures would improve the prognosisand the outcome of patients.
Sixty -four patients with sepsis attended theintensive care unit at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia divided into twogroups:
A study group: thirty- two participants receivedstatins (simvastatin)20 mg once daily, orally (or via nasogastric tube)until discharge from ICU.
A control group: thirty-twoparticipants received placebo, orally (or via nasogastric tube)until discharge from ICU.
Pregnant females and patients with elevated liver enzymes, allergy to statin, elevated CPK and hemodynamically unstable patients excluded from the study.
The demographic data of both groups (age, sex, weight and BMI) were statistically non-significant. There was no statistical significance in the underlying medical conditions.
There were statistical significant difference in the site of infection and the results of the urine culture of both groups, while there were no statistical significant difference in the results of sputum and blood culture.
There were no statistical significant difference in the SOFA, APATCHE II scores, CRP results and TLC results in both groups.
There were no statistical significant difference in the length of ICU stay and the total hospital stay in both groups.
The statin group had better prognosis regarding the hemodynamic stability, the need for vasopressors support, the requirement of mechanical ventilation and the mortality rate in both groups.
No complications of the statin detected at the time of the study regarding elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST) or elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK).