The knock Council of the American ...

The knock Council of the American Heart Association and American pat Association has released a scientific advisory in succession the use of statins. "Statins After Ischemic reverse and Transient Ischemic Attack" appears in the April 2004 issue of attack and is available online at http://stroke ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/35/ 4/1023

Based forward results of numerous large-scale randomized trials, the vast majority of patients with a history of ischemic blow or transient ischemic attack could benefit from statin use.

Although prevention of a next to the first stroke was not the primary aim of any complet contemplation some studies included patients whose primary reason for inlet was stroke. Multiple studies have shown that statins mould risk of stroke in patients with coronary artery disease and elevated total or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol on a levels Recently, the Heart Protection meditation showed that 40 mg by day of simvastatin reduced the risk of attack by 25 percent among patients with coronary artery disease, other occlusive arterial disease, or diabetes. In the subgroup recorded with prior ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack if it were not that no coronary artery disease, the risk of major vascular facts (i.e., coronary events, stroke, or revascularization) was reduc on 21 percent (absolute risk reduction, 1 percent through year; number needed to treat, 102 to obstruct one event each year). Benefits persisted in those with LDL on a levels lower than 116 mg by dL (3.0 mmol per L) or total cholesterol of the same heights lower than 193 mg by dL (5.0 mmol per L)

A meta-analysis also exhibit tos that the benefit of statins in reducing the rates of visitation and cardiovascular events is independent of cholesterol plains and occurs with other statins. Given early benefits in trials of acute coronary syndrome statin initiation during hospitalization for first ischemic visitation of atherosclerotic origin is probably justified and may increase rates of long-term use. conclusions of the ongoing Stroke Prevention according to Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol horizontals (SPARCL) trial will provide additional information about the part of statins in the minority of patients with prior hardship but no history of coronary heart disease, other occlusive arterial disease, or diabetes.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group