High-Dose Statins Following a Stroke Can Prevent a Second - CME Teaching Brief� - MedPage Today
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Patients with cardiovascular disease are less likely to have a stroke if they are taking statins.
CHICAGO, Aug. 9 -- Loading up on a statin within six months of a stroke or transient ischemic attack reduced the risk of recurrent stroke or TIA, according to results of a major trial published today.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) at 80 mg/day begun during that period was associated with 2.2% five-year absolute reduction in risk of stroke (P=0.03) and a 16% relative reduction in risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke, found the SPARCL (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) trial.
Secondary endpoints, with the exception of death, also significantly favored the Lipitor group, reported K. Michael Welch, M.B., Ch.B., of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and colleagues, in the Aug. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Posted by gruwell at August 10, 2006 5:30 AM | TrackBack