HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors improve acute ischemic stroke outcome.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Moonis
Majaz
M
Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. moonism@ummhc.org
Kane
Kevin
K
Schwiderski
Ute
U
Sandage
Bobby W
BW
Fisher
Marc
M
D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors