Statin pre-treatment is associated with lower platelet activity and favorable outcome in patients with acute non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

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: Nai-Wen Tsai, Tsu-Kung Lin, Wen-Neng Chang, Chung-Ren Jan, Chi-Ren Huang, Shang-Der Chen, Kuei-Yueh Cheng, Yi-Fang Chiang, Hung-Chen Wang, Tzu-Ming Yang, Yu-Jun Lin, Wei-Che Lin, Hsueh-Wen Chang, Lian-Hui Lee, Cheng-Hsien Lu
• Journal: Critical care (London, England) (Crit Care) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. R163 (Jul 08 2011) ISSN: 1466-609X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21740551 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Aged
• Brain Ischemia
• Embolism (complications)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Platelet Activation (drug effects)
• Stroke (drug therapy, etiology)
• Taiwan