We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Statins Reduce Risk of Major Cardiovascular Events

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Feb 2019
Print article
A new study shows that statin therapy lowers the risk of major vascular events irrespective of age, although the benefit is less certain for patients older than 75 without existing occlusive disease.

Researchers at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), the University of Sydney (Australia), and other institutions participating in the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) collaboration conducted a meta-analysis that summarized evidence of 28 randomized controlled trials, including a total of 186,854 patients, 14,483 of whom were aged over 75. The researchers then estimated the effects of statin therapy on major vascular events, cause-specific mortality, and cancer incidence in five different age subgroups.

The results revealed that statin therapy significantly reduced major vascular events by approximately 21% per 38.7 mg/dL reduction in LDL cholesterol. For coronary revascularization, there was a reduction of about 25%, for stroke a 16% reduction, and for major coronary events, a reduction of 24%. The effect was seen across all age groups, with a trend towards smaller proportional reductions with older age. In all age groups, cancer incidence, cancer death, and non-vascular mortality were unaffected by statin therapy. The study was published on February 2, 2019, in The Lancet.

“Statins are useful and affordable drugs that reduce heart attacks and strokes in older patients. Until now there has been an evidence gap and we wanted to look at their efficacy and safety in older people,” said lead author Jordan Fulcher, BSC, MBBS, of the University of Sydney. “Our analysis indicates that major cardiovascular events were reduced by about a fifth (per mmol/L lower LDL cholesterol) by statin therapy across all age groups. Despite previous concerns, we found no adverse effect on cancer or non-vascular mortality in any age group.”

Statins lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Several mechanisms may explain the harmful effect of statin discontinuation following stroke. First, statins stabilize plaques in arteries supplying brain and heart, reducing the risk of recurrent cerebral infarction and coronary artery disease (CAD) related events. Second, statin cessation has been associated with reduced flow‐mediated vasodilation, increased atrial fibrillation (AF), and elevated C‐reactive protein serum levels.

Related Links:
University of Oxford
University of Sydney

Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
EMG/NCV Testing Unit
Cadwell EMG/NCV/EP Sierra Summit Device

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.