title: Statin pre-treatment is associated with lower platelet activity and favorable outcome in patients with acute non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Statins reportedly have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects aside from cholesterol-lowering. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-existing statin use on platelet activation markers and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study evaluated 172 patients with acute ischemic stroke divided in two groups: patients with pre-existing statin (n = 43) and without pre-existing statin (66 cases with statins initiated post-stroke and 63 without statin treatment). Platelet activation markers (CD62P and CD63) were measured by flow cytometry at different time points after stroke and analyzed with clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CD62P and CD63 expressions on platelets were significantly lower in the patients with pre-existing statin use compared to the patients without pre-existing statin use on Day 1 post-stroke (p < 0.05). The CD62P expression was significantly lower in the patients with pre-existing statin use on 90 days after the acute stroke (p < 0.05). Patients with pre-existing statin use had lower incidences of early neurologic deterioration (END) than those without treatment (p < 0.05). Among several baseline clinical variables, admission NIHSS score, history of coronary artery disease, and pre-existing statin use were independent predictions of good clinical outcome at three months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-existing statin use is associated with decreased platelet activity as well as improved clinical outcome and reduced END in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors: Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Nai-Wen
authors: NW
authors: Tsai
authors: Tsu-Kung
authors: TK
authors: Lin
authors: Wen-Neng
authors: WN
authors: Chang
authors: Chung-Ren
authors: CR
authors: Jan
authors: Chi-Ren
authors: CR
authors: Huang
authors: Shang-Der
authors: SD
authors: Chen
authors: Kuei-Yueh
authors: KY
authors: Cheng
authors: Yi-Fang
authors: YF
authors: Chiang
authors: Hung-Chen
authors: HC
authors: Wang
authors: Tzu-Ming
authors: TM
authors: Yang
authors: Yu-Jun
authors: YJ
authors: Lin
authors: Wei-Che
authors: WC
authors: Lin
authors: Hsueh-Wen
authors: HW
authors: Chang
authors: Lian-Hui
authors: LH
authors: Lee
authors: Cheng-Hsien
authors: CH
authors: Lu
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors