Publisher: Karger
E-ISSN: 1421-9786|20|2|53-67
ISSN: 1015-9770
Source: Cerebrovascular Diseases, Vol.20, Iss.2, 2005-12, pp. : 53-67
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
Dyslipemia is a clear risk factor (RF) for ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease, but its relation with ischemic stroke (IS) is not so clear. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs or statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin) reduce the relative risk of IS by between 18 and 51% in patients with IHD, in patients with high vascular disease risk and in hypertensive patients with other RFs, acute coronary syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. According to the guidelines for use, statins are indicated in the majority of patients with IS since the risk is equivalent to that of IHD or high vascular disease risk. In view of the existing clinical evidence of benefit, it would not seem unreasonable to proceed with treatment of patients using statins while awaiting specific studies justifying their use. The non-lipid-lowering mechanisms of the statins and results of studies, such as the Heart Protection Study, provide evidence for widening the indications of statins beyond the prevention of dyslipemia, as a new therapeutic approach in the prevention of IS in patients with plasma levels of total cholesterol or low density lipoproteins currently considered within the normal distribution. The neuroprotective role, which these drugs may play in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, remains to be clarified, but very recent evidence suggests that such patients may also benefit.
Related content
Lipid-Lowering Drugs in Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Their Influence on Acute Stroke Outcome
Cerebrovascular Diseases, Vol. 27, Iss. 1, 2009-04 ,pp. :
Platelet function and lipid-lowering interventions
By Milionis Haralampos J. Elisaf Moses S. Mikhailidis Dimitri P.
Platelets, Vol. 10, Iss. 6, 1999-12 ,pp. :
Effects of Lipid-Lowering Drugs on Adiponectin
Current Vascular Pharmacology, Vol. 8, Iss. 6, 2010-11 ,pp. :
Cardiovascular prevention with lipid-lowering therapy in elderly
By Philippe F.
Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie, Vol. 52, Iss. 4, 2003-08 ,pp. :