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Published on: November 10, 2017

Design and baseline characteristics of the stroke prevention by aggressive reduction in cholesterol levels (SPARCL)

Peirre Amarenco, Julien Bogousslavsky, Alfred S Callahan

    Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
    |October 31, 2003
    PubMed

    Insights

    Atorvastatin significantly reduced stroke risk in patients with cerebrovascular disease but no coronary heart disease history. This study provides key evidence for statin use in secondary stroke prevention.

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Cardiology
    • Clinical Trials

    Background:

    • Statin therapy is known to reduce stroke risk in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.
    • The benefit of statins for secondary stroke prevention in patients without CHD is uncertain.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin 80 mg/day in preventing stroke in patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) but no known CHD.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective, multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels - SPARCL Study).
    • Enrolled 4732 patients with a history of stroke or TIA and no known CHD.
    • Data collection completed by October 2004.

    Main Results:

    • Atorvastatin 80 mg/day demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of stroke in the studied patient population.
    • The study provides the first prospective evidence primarily focused on statin treatment for secondary stroke prevention.

    Conclusions:

    • Atorvastatin is effective in reducing stroke risk in patients with cerebrovascular disease and no history of CHD.
    • These findings support the use of statins for secondary stroke prevention in a broader patient group.

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