Retrospective Study on Role of Atorvastatin in Arterio-Venous (Brachiocephalic) Fistula Maturation

Introduction: Patients on haemodialysis require either an intravenous cannula or an arterio-venous (AV) fistula for haemodialysis. Multiple factors are involved in the maturation of an AV fistula and this retrospective study was designed to look into the relationship of atorvastatin usage affecting AV fistula maturation. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 89 patients who underwent arterio-venous fistula creation from the year 2023 - 2024 in Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (HoSHAS), Temerloh were analysed in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) patients that were on regular atorvastatin, (2) patients not on atorvastatin. Results: A total of 89 patients underwent AV fistula creation. Patients in group 1 had an overall success rate of 53% with 3 failures. Meanwhile, the patients in group 2 had a success rate of 46% with 7 failures. Discussion: Significant statistical difference observed in outcome of AV fistula maturation in the group of patients that received atorvastatin. (p value 0.011). However, a number of confounding factors such as the dose of atorvastatin, surgeon factor, ages of the patients, dose of atorvastatin and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) could affect the outcome of this study. Conclusion: Results of this study showing positive relationship of atorvastatin usage with Brachiocephalic fistula (BCF) maturation.