Abstract
Most but not all observational studies of statin treatment of COVID-19
patients suggest that treatment improves outcomes. However, almost all
observational studies fail to consider what cardiovascular investigators
have known for 15-20 years: withdrawing statins after hospital admission
has detrimental effects on patient outcomes. Continuing (or starting)
statin treatment after hospital admission consistently improves COVID-19
patient outcomes, whereas discontinuing treatment does not. Thus,
observational studies of the effectiveness of statin treatment of
COVID-19 patients must consider the consequences of statin withdrawal.