HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors improve acute ischemic stroke outcome
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Statins reduce the risk of stroke recurrence, but the benefits of statins in improving outcome of acute stroke patients have not been well explored.
METHODS: We assessed potential effects of statins initiated before or within 4 weeks of stroke on 90-day outcome. Favorable outcomes were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score < or =2 at 12 weeks and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) < or =2.
RESULTS: Before stroke, 129 patients were receiving statins, 123 initiated statins within 4 weeks, and 600 patients were not on statins. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that poststroke statins were associated with a significant probability of a favorable outcome at 12 weeks [NIHSS (P=0.002; OR, 1.92; CI, 1.27 to 2.91) and mRS (P=0.033; OR, 1.57; CI, 1.04 to 2.38)], whereas prestroke statins demonstrated a trend toward significance.
CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that statin use may improve outcome of acute ischemic stroke.
Suggested Citation
Majaz Moonis, Kevin Kane, Ute Schwiderski, Bobby W. Sandage Jr., and Marc Fisher. "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors improve acute ischemic stroke outcome" Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation 36.6 (2005).
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marc_fisher/34