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| Prior use of antiplatelet-ACE inhibitor-statin combo curbs stroke severity |
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24 April 2006
When taken in combination to prevent ischaemic stroke, antiplatelets, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and statins reduce the severity of ischaemic stroke if it occurs, Boston-based investigators report in the April 25th issue of Neurology.
At hospital discharge, 35% on triple therapy had no or only slight disability compared with 17% of patients in the antiplatelet/ACE group, 14% in the antiplatelet/statin group, 11% in the antiplatelet only group and 10% in the no therapy group.
Imaging studies showed that while the amount of initial brain tissue damage was roughly equal among the groups, on average, the volume of brain tissue still at risk was significantly smaller among those taking triple therapy. "It's possible that these three drugs work synergistically to reduce the amount of brain tissue that is damaged in the penumbra by improving blood flow," Dr Selim noted in a statement from the American Academy of Neurology.
The authors of a related editorial say this "important study adds to the growing evidence that statins and ACE inhibitors may be useful as neuroprotective agents in the setting of acute ischaemic stroke."
However, the study authors and editorialists caution, that these findings need to be validated in large controlled studies before statins and ACE inhibitors can be recommended for all people at risk for stroke or for the treatment of acute stroke.
Reference:
Neurology 2006; 66 (8): 1153-1158.
Neurology 2006; 66 (8): 1135.
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