INTRODUCTION: Statins reduce coronary events in patients with coronary artery 
disease.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chart reviews were performed in 305 patients (217 men and 
88 women, mean age 74 years) not treated with statins during the first year of 
being seen in an outpatient cardiology practice but subsequently treated with 
statins. Based on the starting date of statins use, the long-term outcomes of 
myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 
coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGs) before and after statin use were 
compared.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 65 months before statins use and 66 months after 
statins use. Myocardial infarction occurred in 31 of 305 patients (10%) before 
statins, and in 13 of 305 patients (4%) after statins (p < 0.01). Percutaneous 
coronary intervention had been performed in 66 of 305 patients (22%) before 
statins and was performed in 41 of 305 patients (13%) after statins (p < 0.01). 
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery had been performed in 56 of 305 patients 
(18%) before statins and in 20 of 305 patients (7%) after statins (p < 0.001). 
Stepwise logistic regression showed statins use was an independent risk factor 
for MI (odds ratio = 0.0207, 95% CI, 0.0082-0.0522, p < 0.0001), PCI (odds ratio 
= 0.0109, 95% CI, 0.0038-0.0315, p < 0.0001) and CABGs (odds ratio = 0.0177, 95% 
CI = 0.0072-0.0431, p < 0.0001)
CONCLUSIONS: Statins use in an outpatient cardiology practice reduces the 
incidence of MI, PCI, and CABGs.