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.
Fellström
Bengt
B
Department of Medical Science, Renal Unit, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. bengt.fellstrom@medsci.uu.se
Holdaas
Hallvard
H
Jardine
Alan G
AG
Rose
Helen
H
Schmieder
Roland
R
Wilpshaar
Wim
W
Zannad
Faiez
F
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