Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

Statins: an essential component in the management of carotid artery disease.

Paraskevas KI, Hamilton G, Mikhailidis DP

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to define the role of treatment using statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) in the management of patients with carotid artery disease. LITERATURE SEARCH METHODS: We searched PubMed for studies evaluating the effect of statins on carotid IMT and the occurrence of cerebrovascular events. LITERATURE SEARCH RESULTS: Current evidence indicates that routine statin therapy reduces carotid intima-media thickness progression and stroke risk. Additionally, statin treatment significantly reduces perioperative as well as long-term morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing carotid surgery or endovascular interventions. It would also be expected that statins would reduce coronary events in this high-risk population. CONCLUSIONS: Statins should be considered as an essential component of the therapeutic approach of patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Published 31 July 2007 in J Vasc Surg, 46(2): 373-386.
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