Hypolipemic Drugs in the Prevention of Ischemic Strokes

Czech version

Authors: V. Soška
Authors‘ workplace: Oddělení klinické biochemie a II. interní klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2010; 73/106(1): 20-25
Category: Review Article

Overview

Hypolipidemic drugs, and statins in particular, are very important in the prevention of both primary and secondary coronary events. These drugs also play an important role in the prevention of ischemic stroke, despite the fact that their part in relative risk reduction for ischemic stroke is less than that of treatment with antiplatelet or antihypertensive drugs. When considering the results of interventional studies, the statins gemfibrozil and nicotinic acid may be used for primary prevention of ischemic stroke. These drugs can decrease the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease, but certain other statins (e.g. atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) can also decrease the risk of stroke in high-risk people without cardiovascular disease provided their LDL-cholesterol is above target level. Atorvastatin (80 mg a day) is the only hypolipidemic drug that has provided evidence for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. When choosing a hypolipidemic drug for the prevention of stroke based on clinical studies, one should always consider which study population is involved and which drug has been used for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

Key words:
cholesterol – ischemic stroke – statins – fibrates – niacin – ezetimibe – resins

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