Objective: To estimate the effect of statins use on the prevention of venous thromboembolism （VTE）. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE （1980-June 2012）

EMBASE （1980-June 2012）

Google Scholar

Cochrane Library

and ISI Web of Science

manually reviewed references

and contacted experts. Case-control studies and cohort studies that compared any dose of statin with no statin or placebo are included. Data extraction and study quality evaluation were independently conducted in duplicate. Results: 12 studies including four cohort studies and eight case-control studies were identified and eligible for meta-analysis. Upon meta-analysis

statin use was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the odds of developing VTE （OR 0.91

95% CI 0.86-0.96）. Conclusion: This meta-analysis of current and available literature suggests that statins can reduce patient’s risk of developing VTE. Due to the limitations of observational study

this conclusion should be considered with caution

and additionally

specifical well-designed trials are needed.