Effect of rosuvastatin on outcomes in chronic haemodialysis patients: baseline data from the AURORA study.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).


OBJECTIVE
AURORA (A study to evaluate the Use of Rosuvastatin in subjects On Regular haemodialysis: an Assessment of survival and cardiovascular events) is the first large-scale international trial to assess the effects of statins on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ESRD on chronic haemodialysis. Preliminary baseline data from the randomised population are presented.


METHODS
A total of 2,775 patients from 280 centres in 25 countries were randomised into the study. Patients aged 50-80 years on regular chronic haemodialysis for at least 3 months before screening were eligible for inclusion. They were randomised 1:1 to receive either rosuvastatin 10 mg or placebo daily and assessed throughout the study.


RESULTS
The mean age at baseline was 64 years. Most patients were male (62%) and 85% were white. The median time since commencing renal replacement was 32 months. Mean total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were 4.53 mmol/l (175 mg/dl) and 2.57 mmol/l (99 mg/dl), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from the AURORA trial will impact on the current guidelines and use of statins in this patient population.
Department of Medical Science, Renal Unit, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. bengt.fellstrom@medsci.uu.se
Bengt
B
Fellström
Hallvard
H
Holdaas
Alan G
AG
Jardine
Helen
H
Rose
Roland
R
Schmieder
Wim
W
Wilpshaar
Faiez
F
Zannad
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000639:trends; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium