title: Management of intracerebral hemorrhage--use of statins.
abstract: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a neurologic injury resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Statins play a significant role in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic events. Despite clear benefits of statins in ischemic stroke, post hoc analyses of some studies suggest there may be a link between statin therapy and development of ICH. Direct pharmacologic effects of decreased serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins in conjunction with pleiotropic effects are thought to be linked to this possible increase in ICH risk. In the face of the potential of statins to increase the risk of ICH, recent evidence suggests that statins may also have beneficial effects on patient outcomes when continued or initiated following an ICH. This discordance in findings and the overall lack of well-designed prospective clinical trials increase the complexity of clinical decision making when utilizing statin therapy in patients with, or at risk for, ICH. This review evaluates the pharmacologic effects of statin therapy and describes how these effects translate to both risks and benefits in ICH. The current literature regarding the effects of statin therapy on clinical outcomes in ICH is evaluated to help guide clinicians with decisions regarding initiation, continuation, or discontinuation of statin therapy in patients with ICH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Edward T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Van Matre
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Deb S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Tyree H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kiser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids
keywords: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors; intracerebral hemorrhage; intracranial hemorrhage; pleiotropic effects; statin pharmacology