Do Statins Help Prevent VTE After Hemorrhagic Stroke During the Acute Period?

Abstract

Objectives The effect of statins on venous thromboembolism (VTE) especially pulmonary embolism (PE) is debatable. This study investigated whether statin medication can decrease the occurrence of VTE in patients with hemorrhagic stroke during the acute period. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with hemorrhagic stroke between March 2011 and December 2013. Patients with newly diagnosed hemorrhagic stroke were observed during 6 weeks of hospitalisation. Occurrence determined using Doppler ultrasound and computed angiography was used to assess risk factors of VTE in patients with hemorrhagic stroke during the acute period. The difference and incidence of the VTE among acute hemorrhagic stroke was analysed in patients who did not receive no statin medication, who received statin medication after the current hemorrhagic stroke, and who received statin medication after previous hemorrhagic stroke. Results Among 98 patients, 9 (9.2%) patients representing 3 from each group had VTE (6 for deep vein thrombosis and 3 for PE) during the follow-up. Each incidence of VTE was 6.4%, 13.6%, and 10.3% in patients who did not receive statins, who received statin medication after the current hemorrhagic stroke, and who received statin medication after previous hemorrhagic stroke, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusions Moderate instensity dose of statin use was not associated with a reduced risk of VTE in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, especially in the acute period. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the potential benefits of lipid-lowering statin in the prevention of venous thromboembolisn in patients with heamorrhagic stroke.