The use of statins in intensive care unit patients with sepsis.

The incidence of sepsis is increasing and remains the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. The statin group of drugs appear to have important anti-inflammatory effects and may have a role in the treatment of sepsis. However, current prescribing guidelines recommend that statin therapy is discontinued in critically ill patients. We found no evidence to support commencing statin therapy in patients with sepsis on an intensive care unit and low levels of evidence to support continuing established therapy in this patient population.