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Updated: May 17, 2025

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
High-dose statins for the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of
Muhammed Siddique Shahid1, Mariam Safwan Bourgleh1, Adel Alharfi2
1From the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Al Bukayriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of disability and mortality, with fatal outcomes increased with recurrent strokes. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the safety and efficacy of high-dose statins for secondary IS prevention.
Methods:
This review was regestered on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024574088). Cochrane methodology was followed in this review and comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrial.gov, to include all RCTs conducted from 2004 to 2024, comparing high-dose statins (simvastatin ≥40 mg, atorvastatin ≥40 mg, and rosuvastatin ≥20 mg) with low-dose statins, placebo, or standard care. Outcomes of this review were recurrent IS reduction and adverse events reported in RCTs.
Results:
Nine RCTs involving 5,503 patients, with male patients ranging from 25.8% to 81.6% were included. Compared to controls, high-dose statins did not significantly reduce risks for secondary IS (OR 0.78, 95% CI [0.61, 1.00], P=.05) and hemorrhagic stroke (OR 0.85, 95% CI [0.56, 1.29], P=.45). Furthermore, no differences were observed in mortality rates and adverse events between groups.
Conclusion:
Treatment with high dose statins didn't reduce the risk of stroke recurrence or improve mortality, though further research is needed.
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