The influence of statin withdrawal and adherence on stroke outcomes

Influence of a Short Course of Ritonavir Used as Booster in Antiviral Therapies Against SARS-CoV-2 on the Exposure of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin

PURPOSE

Early antiviral treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is recommended for SARS-CoV-2-infected patients at high risk for severe courses. Such patients are usually chronically ill and susceptible to adverse drug interactions caused by ritonavir. We investigated the interactions of short-term low-dose ritonavir therapy with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, two statins commonly used in this population.

METHOD

We assessed exposure changes (area under the concentration-time curve (AUC∞) and maximum concentration (Cmax)) of a single dose of 10 mg atorvastatin and 10 mg rosuvastatin before and on the fifth day of ritonavir treatment (2 × 100 mg/day) in healthy volunteers and developed a semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic model to estimate dose adjustment of atorvastatin during ritonavir treatment.

RESULTS

By the fifth day of ritonavir treatment, the AUC∞ of atorvastatin increased 4.76-fold and Cmax 3.78-fold, and concurrently, the concentration of atorvastatin metabolites decreased to values below the lower limit of quantification. Pharmacokinetic modelling indicated that a stepwise reduction in atorvastatin dose during ritonavir treatment with a stepwise increase up to 4 days after ritonavir discontinuation can keep atorvastatin exposure within safe and effective margins. Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics were only mildly modified; ritonavir significantly increased the Cmax 1.94-fold, while AUC∞ was unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Atorvastatin doses should likely be adjusted during nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment. For patients on a 20-mg dose, we recommend half of the original dose. In patients taking 40 mg or more, a quarter of the dose should be taken until 2 days after discontinuation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Patients receiving rosuvastatin do not need to change their treatment regimen.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT number: 2021-006634-39. DRKS00027838.

The pleiotropic effects of statins: a comprehensive exploration of neurovascular unit modulation and blood-brain barrier protection

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the most central component of the neurovascular unit (NVU) and is crucial for the maintenance of the internal environment of the central nervous system and the regulation of homeostasis. A multitude of neuroprotective agents have been developed to exert neuroprotective effects and improve the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke. These agents have been designed to maintain integrity and promote BBB repair. Statins are widely used as pharmacological agents for the treatment and prevention of ischemic stroke, making them a cornerstone in the pharmacological armamentarium for this condition. The primary mechanism of action is the reduction of serum cholesterol through the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which results in a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increase in cholesterol clearance. Nevertheless, basic and clinical research has indicated that statins may exert additional pleiotropic effects beyond LDL-C reduction. Previous studies on ischemic stroke have demonstrated that statins can enhance neurological function, reduce inflammation, and promote angiogenic and synaptic processes following ischemic stroke. The BBB has been increasingly recognized for its role in the development and progression of ischemic stroke. Statins have also been found to play a potential BBB protective role by affecting members of the NVU. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive theoretical basis for the clinical application of statins by systematically detailing how statins influence the BBB, particularly focusing on the regulation of the function of each member of the NVU.

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Early Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Anterior Circulation Stroke

Background

Early neurologic deterioration (END) in acute ischemic stroke could result in significant worsening of clinical prognosis. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is related to stroke severity and might be a predictor of short-term mortality in acute ischemic stroke. This study investigated the relationship between NLR and END in anterior circulation stroke patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke admitted to hospital within 24-hour of symptom onset were analyzed. NLR was calculated according to the Laboratory parameters obtained during the first 24 hours after admission. The rate of the END was recorded during the first 72-hours of admission. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to investigate the relationship between NLR and END.

Results

We included 228 consecutive patients within 24-hours of symptom onset for the final analysis. In total, 64 (28.1%) experienced END during the first 72 hours after admission. Patients with END were more likely to have higher NLR (median NLR 3.8 vs 2.4; p<0.001) compared with those without END. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that NLR>2.65 (OR, 4.019; 95% CI, 1.937-8.337; p<0.001) was an independent predictor of END. Also, patients in high NLR subgroup (NLR>2.65) at admission were more likely to have prolonged length of stays (median length of stays 12 vs 4; p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study found NLR was an independent predictor of END in patients with anterior circulation stroke.

Enhancing the human health and lifespan: a targeted strategy emphasizing statins

There has been substantial research interest in finding activities/agents that slow the onset and reduce the severity of numerous age-related diseases/conditions. This assessment indicates that the most studied agent intended to promote health in human population investigations for a broad spectrum of diseases are the statins, with large-scale epidemiological studies addressing numerous health endpoints. The key findings are that statin treatment consistently reduces the occurrence and attenuates the course of numerous non-communicable and contagious pathologies and numerous types of cancer with high mortality rates by about 20-50%. That one agent could affect such a broad based and consistently positive trends in epidemiological studies is unexpected and impressive, along with consistent cell and animal model research. Underlying mechanisms have been proposed that significantly contribute to the spectrum of salutary effects of statins, especially the capacity to activate Nrf2 showing hormetic dose responses in multiple organs and cell types, due to its bioavailability and broad tissue distribution. The widespread use of statins, which has the capacity to enhance human health span, should be considered for experimental exploration as a novel public health strategy that includes practical approaches for reduction of the most common adverse effects of this class of drugs including myalgia/myopathy and transaminitis.

Effect of statin treatment on clinical outcomes in cardioembolic stroke with endovascular thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

While statins have been widely used in patients with large-artery atherosclerotic stroke, their effectiveness in patients with cardioembolic large vessel occlusion (CE-LVO) undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether combining statin therapy with EVT could improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by CE-LVO in the anterior circulation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective screening on patients with CE-LVO in the anterior circulation who underwent EVT in 27 hospitals across China between 2018 and 2021. The primary outcome measure was functional independence, defined as a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 2. Safety outcomes included 90-day mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).

RESULTS

A total of 510 patients with CE-LVO in the anterior circulation undergoing EVT were included in this study. Of these, 404 (79.2%) patients received statin treatment (statin group), while 106 (20.8%) did not (non-statin group). Statin treatment was significantly associated with improved functional independence (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.072, 95% CI 1.197 to 3.586, P=0.009). Moreover, statin use was associated with a lower rate of 90-day mortality (aOR 0.343, 95% CI 0.197 to 0.596, P<0.001) and a lower rate of sICH (aOR 0.153, 95% CI 0.072 to 0.325, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Statin treatment was associated with improved clinical outcomes and reduced risks of mortality and sICH in patients with CE-LVO in the anterior circulation undergoing EVT.

The Non-Targeted Lipidomic-Based Classifier Reveals Two Candidate Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke in Hypertensive Individuals

Introduction

Traditional clinical risk factors are insufficient to estimate the residual risk of large-vessel ischemic stroke. Non-targeted lipidomic techniques provide an opportunity to evaluate these risks.

Methods

Plasma samples were collected from 113 hypertensive individuals, including 55 individuals at high risk of ischemic stroke and 58 matched individuals, in a prospective nested case-control cohort. To identify dysregulated lipid metabolites, we conducted multivariate and univariate analyses. A classifier based on a cross-validated procedure was employed to select the optimal combination of lipid species and their ratios.

Results

We identified 23 dysregulated lipid species in patients with and without ischemic stroke, including 16 (69.6%) up-regulated and 7 (30.4%) down-regulated lipid species. Through internal cross-validation, the optimal combination of two lipid features (phosphatidylcholine 34:2 and triglyceride 18:1/18:1/22:1 / phosphatidylcholine 34:2, referred to as ischemic stroke-related 2 lipid features - IS2LP) was selected, leading to a more precise prediction probability for ischemic stroke within 3.9 years. In the comparison of different risk factors, the traditional risk score, the IS2LP risk score, and the combination of the traditional risk score with IS2LP yield AUC values of 0.613(95% CI:0.509-0.717), 0.833(95% CI:0.755-0.911), and 0.843(95% CI:0.777-0.916), respectively. The combination of the traditional risk score and IS2LP exhibited significantly improved discriminative performance, with an integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of 0.31 (p<0.001) and a continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 1.06 (p < 0.001) compared to the traditional risk score.

Conclusion

We identified new lipidomic biomarkers associated with the futural event of large-vessel ischemic stroke. These lipid species could serve as potential blood biomarkers for assessing the residual risk of ischemic stroke in hypertensive individuals.

Added Clinical Value of Intraplaque Neovascularization Detection to Color Doppler Ultrasound for Assessing Ischemic Stroke Risk

Purpose

Intraplaque neovascularization, assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), is associated with ischemic stroke. It remains unclear whether detection of intraplaque neovascularization combined with color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) provides additional value compared with CDUS alone in assessing ischemic stroke risk. Therefore, we investigated the clinical value of combined CEUS, CDUS, and clinical features for ischemic stroke risk stratification.

Patients and Methods

We recruited 360 patients with ≥50% carotid stenosis between January 2019 and September 2022. Patients were examined using CDUS and CEUS. Covariates associated with ischemic stroke were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The discrimination and calibration were verified using the C-statistic and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The incremental value of intraplaque neovascularization in the assessment of ischemic stroke was analyzed using the Delong test.

Results

We analyzed the data of 162 symptomatic and 159 asymptomatic patients who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, respectively. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, we constructed a nomogram using intraplaque neovascularization, degree of carotid stenosis, plaque hypoechoicity, and smoking status, with a C-statistic of 0.719 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.666-0.768) and a Hosmer-Lemeshow test p value of 0.261. The net reclassification index of the nomogram was 0.249 (95% CI: 0.138-0.359), and the integrated discrimination improvement was 0.053 (95% CI: 0.029-0.079). Adding intraplaque neovascularization to the combination of CDUS and clinical features (0.672; 95% CI: 0.617-0.723) increased the C-statistics (p=0.028).

Conclusion

Further assessment of intraplaque neovascularization after CDUS may help more accurately identify patients at risk of ischemic stroke. Combining multiparametric carotid ultrasound and clinical features may help improve the risk stratification of patients with ischemic stroke with ≥50% carotid stenosis.

Effectiveness of statins on outcomes of patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS)

BACKGROUND

Statins are highly recommended as a secondary prevention strategy after a stroke. Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) accounts for up to one fifth of cases of ischemic stroke. There is a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness of statins in this subgroup of patients.

METHODS

We designed a longitudinal cohort study involving patients properly diagnosed with ESUS. Data about statin therapy included information about the time of initiation of the treatment, pre-stroke statin use, statin withdrawal, and the type and dosage of the statin prescribed. Patients were followed for 48 months after the index stroke. The primary endpoints included stroke recurrence, major cardiovascular events, and death from all causes. The secondary endpoint was the functional outcome, assessed in a standardized and systematic way using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

Patients who were not taking any statin after ESUS have significantly increased odds of stroke recurrence (OR = 3.29, 95% CI 1.27 - 8.55) or presenting the composite outcome of stroke recurrence, major cardiovascular events, and death (OR = 3.70, 95% CI 1.44 - 9.50) in the multivariate analysis. No statin therapy was directly associated with the functional outcome as well (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.58 - 6.96). The early initiation of the statin therapy was estimated to reduce the risk of a second stroke and the composite outcome by 89% and 87%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our pioneering study provides evidence that patients with ESUS may benefit from statin therapy, especially if prescribed early and at higher dosages.

The effect of discharge care plans on statin prescription rates

BACKGROUND

Stroke discharge care bundles have been proposed to address inadequate provider statin prescription rates.

LOCAL PROBLEM

Discontinuation of statins has been associated with a 37% relative risk increase in mortality in patients with a stroke diagnosis. The project site had a statin prescription rate of 86.2%.

METHODS

The project was initiated at a 641-bed regional community teaching medical center. Statin prescription rates upon discharge on patients with the diagnosis of transient ischemic attack or stroke were evaluated and noted to be below the benchmark of 95%. Possible interventions to improve this benchmark were discussed with key stakeholders such as the information technology team, stroke care outcomes team, and neurology service providers. The proposed intervention was incorporated into the electronic health record. Provider prescription rates were tracked monthly along with the use of the proposed intervention. A one-sided z-test was used to analyze the data collected.

INTERVENTIONS

A stroke discharge power plan within an electronic health record was modified to increase the rate of statin prescriptions. The key modification included checking off the prescription of a statin on discharge. Reinforcement of its use was done through monthly reminders.

RESULTS

Use of discharge care plan yielded 100% compliance. Overall compliance was 9.7%. The null hypothesis of the one-sided z-test was 89%. The p-value for all tests was <0.05.

CONCLUSION

The use of a stroke discharge care plan within an electronic health record can positively affect secondary stroke prevention by increasing statin prescription rates.

Lack of Statin Therapy and Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Statin treatment is effective at preventing adverse vascular events after ischemic stroke (IS). However, many patients fail to use statins after IS. We studied the impact of not using statins after IS on adverse outcomes.

METHODS

IS patients (n=59 588) admitted to 20 Finnish hospitals were retrospectively studied. Study data were combined from national registries on hospital admissions, mortality, cancer diagnoses, prescription medication purchases, and permissions for special reimbursements for medications. Usage of prescription medication was defined as drug purchase within 90 days after hospital discharge. Ongoing statin use during follow-up was analyzed in 90-day intervals. Differences in baseline features, comorbidities, other medications, and recanalization therapies were balanced with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Median follow-up was 5.7 years.

RESULTS

Statin therapy was not used by 27.1% of patients within 90 days after IS discharge, with women and older patients using statins less frequently. The average proportion of patients without ongoing statin during the 12-year follow-up was 36.0%. Patients without early statins had higher all-cause mortality at 1 year (7.5% versus 4.4% in patients who did use statins; hazard ratio [HR], 1.74 [CI, 1.61-1.87]) and 12 years (56.8% versus 48.6%; HR, 1.37 [CI, 1.33-1.41]). Cumulative incidence of major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event was higher at 1 year (subdistribution HR, 1.36 [CI, 1.29-1.43]) and 12 years (subdistribution HR, 1.21 [CI, 1.18-1.25]) without early statin use. Cardiovascular death, recurrent IS, and myocardial infarction were more frequent without early statin use. Early statin use was not associated with hemorrhagic stroke during follow-up. Lack of ongoing statin during follow-up was associated with risk of death in time-dependent analysis (adjusted HR, 3.03 [CI, 2.96-3.23]).

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of statin treatment after IS is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Measures to further improve timely statin use after IS are needed.

Self-reported medication adherence and pharmacy refill adherence among persons with ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

To describe and compare self-reported medication adherence assessed with the 5-item version of Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) and pharmacy refill adherence based on data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register (SPDR) among persons with ischemic stroke, and to investigate independent predictors associated with respective assessments.

Methods

A study questionnaire was sent to persons with ischemic stroke registered in the Swedish Stroke Register between Dec 2011 and March 2012, and who lived at home 3 months after discharge. The primary outcome was dichotomized to adherent/non-adherent based on MARS-5 and SPDR and analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Adherence according to MARS-5 was defined as score 23 or higher (out of 25). Adherence according to SPDR was defined as at least one filled statin prescription recorded in SPDR in each 6-month interval during 2 years of follow-up.

Results

Of 420 participants, 367 (87%) and 329 (78%) were adherent according to MARS-5 and SPDR, respectively, and 294 (70%) participants were adherent according to both assessments. A significant association was shown between medication adherence according to the two assessments (p = 0.020). Independent predictors associated with medication adherence according to MARS-5 were female sex, while factors associated with SPDR were male sex and being younger.

Conclusions

The majority of participants were classified as adherent, 87% according to MARS-5 and 78% based on data from SPDR. However, only 70% were adherent according to both MARS-5 and SPDR, and different predictors were associated with the different measurements, suggesting that these assessments are measuring different aspects of adherence.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00228-022-03284-4.

[A comparative analysis of the clinical and anamnestic status of patients with chronic occlusion of the carotid arteries based on the data of observational registries]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and anamnestic status of patients with chronic carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) based on the analysis of risk factors, demographic and clinical and anatomical characteristics, the dynamics of the disease; to evaluate ongoing drug therapy, the incidence of strokes (MI) and deaths (according to the local registry compared with the results of other observational studies).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed and eLibrary searches for a systematic review were performed from October 24 to December 10, 2021 independently by two investigators. Out of 870 articles, based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 8 studies were selected and included in the systematic review.

RESULTS

A comparative analysis of the clinical and anamnestic status of patients with CCAO according to the present review showed the following data on the prevalence of the main risk factors/diseases: hypertension - 79.1%; male gender - 83.7%; smoking - 46%; diabetes mellitus - 30.5%. Of the entire of own Duplex registry group (n=2548), 7 patients were identified with CCAO (0.27%). All patients were male (mean age 71.3±9.4 years). Endpoints were recorded in 5 of 7 participants during the follow-up period (8.9 years): 5 deaths, 2 fatal MI, 1 non-fatal MI, 1 myocardial infarction. A significant impact of the fact of MI on the survival of patients was confirmed using the standard log-rank test (p=0.02 and the Cox-Mendel test (p=0.04). The incidence of MI during the prospective follow-up according to the analyzed studies ranged from 4.3% (within a month of follow-up) to 42.8% (with a follow-up of 8.9 years), and averaged 12%.

CONCLUSIONS

A comparative analysis of the clinical and anamnestic status of patients with CCAO based on data from observational registers showed that the probability of detecting this pathology is associated with age and male gender. Data obtained from prospective observation of patients with CCAO in our own study show that the development of MI is one of the main factors affecting the survival of this category of patients.

Management of Dyslipidaemia for the Prevention of Stroke: Clinical Practice Recommendations from the Lipid Association of India

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide. The rates of stroke are increasing in less affluent countries predominantly because of a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors. The Lipid Association of India (LAI) has provided a risk stratification algorithm for patients with ischaemic stroke and recommended low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for those in a very high risk group and extreme risk group (category A) of <50 mg/dl (1.3 mmol/l) while the LDL-C goal for extreme risk group (category B) is ≤30 mg/dl (0.8 mmol/l). High intensity statins are the first-line lipid lowering therapy. Non-statin therapy like ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may be added as an adjunct to statins in patients who do not achieve LDL-C goals statins alone. In acute ischaemic stroke, high intensity statin therapy improves neurological and functional outcomes regardless of thrombolytic therapy. Although conflicting data exist regarding increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with statin use, the overall benefit risk ratio favors long-term statin therapy necessitating detailed discussion with the patient. Patients who have statins withdrawn while being on prior statin therapy at the time of acute ischaemic stroke have worse functional outcomes and increased mortality. LAI recommends that statins be continued in such patients. In patients presenting with ICH, statins should not be started in the acute phase but should be continued in patients who are already taking statins. ICH patients, once stable, need risk stratification for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Statin Use and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The data on the relationship between statin use and clinical outcomes after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are in controversy.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of statins administered prior to onset and during hospitalization in patients with AIS treated with IVT.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until June 8, 2021. Comparative studies investigating statin effect on intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), functional outcomes, and mortality in adults with AIS treated with IVT were screened. Random-effect meta-analyses of odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021254919).

Results: Twenty-two observational studies were included, which involved 17,554 patients. The pooled estimates showed that pre-stroke statin use was associated with a higher likelihood of symptomatic ICH (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.07–1.59; p = 0.008) and any ICH (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.03–1.43; p = 0.02). However, the pre-stroke statin use was not significantly associated with the 3-month mortality, 3-month favorable functional outcome (FFO, modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0–1), and 3-month functional independence (FI; mRS score 0–2). However, in-hospital statin use was associated with a reduced risk of symptomatic ICH (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.21–1.00; p = 0.045), any ICH (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.27–0.98; p = 0.04), and 3-month mortality (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.29–0.62; p < 0.001) and an increased probability of 3-month FFO (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.02–1.744; p = 0.04) and 3-month FI (OR 1.41; 95% C, 1.11–1.80; p = 0.005).

Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that in-hospital statin use after IVT may be safe and may have a favorable impact on clinical outcomes, a finding not observed in studies restricted to patients with pre-stroke statin use.

The prognostic significance of the lipid profile after an ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

The role that cholesterol levels play in stroke is still uncertain, especially in secondary prevention. The aim was to determine how a comprehensive analysis of the lipid profile can be associated with post-stroke outcomes.

Consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke were included in our cohort and followed up for 24months. Baseline clinical and demographic data were collected as well as a complete lipid profile 6-months after the index stroke. Lipid variables were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Clinical outcomes included stroke recurrence, major cardiovascular events, and functional performance (assessed with the modified Rankin scale).

RESULTS

The study included 588 patients with an average age of 58.3 years. There were 148 (25.2%) patients with high total cholesterol, 260 (44.2%) with low HDL, 180 (30.6%) with high LDL, and 204 (34.7%) with high triglycerides. There were 164 (27.9%) patients with no abnormalities in the lipid profile. After the follow-up, 108 (18.3%) had another stroke, 32 (5.4%) had major cardiovascular events, and 360 (61.2%) presented good functional outcomes. A higher LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and a low HDL-C level were significantly associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. The detection of LDL-C > 70 mg/dL was an independent predictor of a higher risk of stroke recurrence and worse functional performance. The greater the number of altered lipid variables, the greater the chance of developing an unfavorable composite outcome and presenting cardiovascular events after the stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

The complete analysis of the lipid panel allows the determination of the prognosis of patients who suffered a stroke.

The Effect of Statin Treatment on Outcomes of Cardioembolic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Real-World Studies

BACKGROUND

Several real-world observational studies have investigated the association between statin treatment and outcomes of cardioembolic stroke. However, substantial uncertainties remain about this association.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of statin treatment on the outcomes of cardioembolic stroke.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant clinical studies. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with a random-effects model were used to assess the outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 18 observational studies published between 2009 and 2020 were included. No randomized clinical trial was found. Compared with non-statin treatment, statin treatment was not associated with a decreased risk of stroke recurrence in patients with cardioembolic stroke [PWCS] (RR, 0.93; 95% CI 0.82-1.06). However, compared with non-statin treatment, statin treatment was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death (RR, 0.59; 95% CI 0.49-0.73) and better functional outcomes (RR, 0.67; 95% CI 0.47-0.97) in PWCS. There was no significant association between statin treatment and major bleeding event risk in PWCS (RR, 0.35; 95% CI 0.06-2.16). Compared with non-statin treatment, statin treatment was not associated with a decreased risk of coronary atherosclerotic disease in PWCS (RR, 1.04; 95% CI 0.96-1.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the use of statins does not enhance the prevention of stroke recurrence in PWCS, statin treatment is associated with improved clinical outcomes in PWCS. Statins play a beneficial role in the treatment of cardioembolic stroke.

Outcomes of Preinjury Use of Statins in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

No completely effective pharmacotherapies have been developed to improve the outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given the reporting of cohort studies suggesting that preinjury statin use may reduce TBI-associated mortality, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of statin use in patients with TBI.

METHODS

This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched from inception until April 13, 2021, using a search strategy that included 2 main terms: "statins" and "traumatic brain injury." The outcomes were mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay, which were evaluated using a random-effects model and represented by the pooled risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The search results identified 7 eligible studies, with a total of 111,935 patients with brain injury. Preinjury statin use in patients with TBI was associated with a significantly decreased risk of mortality compared with that in nonusers (risk ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.94; I² = 53%). Subgroup analysis showed that statin withdrawal might increase mortality. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable and robust.

CONCLUSIONS

Preinjury statin use may contribute to mortality reduction in patients with TBI, whereas statin withdrawal might increase mortality. In clinical management, statin use should not be discontinued after TBI.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Sacrificed the Excellence of Stroke Care Worldwide

The COVID-19 pandemic has had not only a tremendous impact on public health but also on the care of many pre-COVID-19 diseases, such as stroke. The pandemic has tested the robustness of comprehensive stroke care programs. Especially during the months of confinement, an alarming increase in the incidence of several risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases was noticed, without, however, the proportional strengthening of strategies for the prevention and/or control of comorbidities. Patients who had already suffered a stroke were neglected from the secondary prevention routine and neurological rehabilitation therapies. Regarding the acute treatment, the fear of contagion in the hospital environment promoted a significant delay in the time from the onset of symptoms to admission to an emergency department as well as in the door to imaging and door to needle times. Moreover, the pandemic also exposed the enormous inequalities in the approach to cerebrovascular diseases worldwide. Actually, many consequences of COVID-19 in stroke care will persist for months even after pandemic control. Strategies to combat the pandemic must be reconciled with the fight against stroke in a way that does not exclude any patient from access to the best possible care.

Adjunctive Statin Therapy Reduces Mortality After Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke

Background

Statin treatment improves clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic strokes, although there is no evidence regarding the safety of statin therapy in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study aimed at evaluating the effects of continuing statin treatment after ICH.

Methods

Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We retrospectively compared the data of patients with and without statin exposure after ICH. The outcomes of interest were recurrence of hemorrhagic stroke and mortality during a follow-up period of 10 years.

Results

During the 10-year follow-up period, the mortality rate was 32.73% in the statin group and 42.77% in the non-statin group. Statin therapy in patients with acute ICH with dyslipidemia can decrease mortality.

Conclusion

Statin therapy reduced the risk of 10-year mortality in patients who experienced acute hemorrhagic stroke.