Low and Medium dose Statins Improve Function and Prognosis of Asian Ischemic Stroke Patients with Intravenous Thrombolysis
Abstract Background: For acute ischaemic stroke, intravenous thrombolysis combined with statins might increase the therapeutic effect; however, it is uncertain whether this is effective. Additionally, statins can increase the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage in ischaemic stroke patients, further raising doubts regarding the safety of this combination. Methods: Data from consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis were prospectively collected. Efficacy outcomes included NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score improvement at 7 days after admission and mRS (Modified Rankin Scale) improvement at 90 days. Safety outcomes included haemorrhage events in the hospital and death events within 2 years. Results: The study finally included 222 patients. The statin group had a higher percentage of NIHSS improvement at 7 days (p<0.001) and a higher percentage of a favourable functional outcome (FFO) (p<0.001) at 90 days. The statin group had a lower percentage of intracerebral haemorrhage (p<0.001) and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (p=0.004) in the hospital and a lower percentage of death events (p<0.001) within 2 years. Logistic regression indicated that statin use was significantly related to NIHSS improvement (OR=2.291, p=0.014), a lower percentage of intracerebral haemorrhage (OR=0.379, p=0.008) and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (OR=0.027, p=0.023), and a lower percentage of death events (OR=0.196, p<0.001). Conclusion: For Asian acute ischaemic stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis, the use of low- and medium-dose statins was related to NIHSS improvement of moderate stroke patients at 7 days, with a reduced percentage of haemorrhage events in the hospital and a lower percentage of death events within 2 years, especially for moderate stroke or noncardioembolic stroke patients.