30 Apr 2023 • A new study shows that statins may help prevent stroke and related vascular events in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The study found that statin use was associated with lower risks of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA), regardless of whether patients were also taking anticoagulant medications. The lead author of the study, Jiayi Huang, concluded that the findings support the use of statins to prevent stroke for patients with new-onset AF, which is especially important given the high risk of fatal or disabling ischemic strokes and the high risk of recurrence associated with AF.

Anticoagulant drugs are often prescribed to lower the risk of stroke among individuals with AF, but the therapy does not eliminate the higher risk. Statins, which are widely prescribed to reduce the likelihood of myocardial infarction and stroke, have been unclear in their benefit for stroke prevention in patients with AF until now. The study analyzed data from over 51,000 patients newly diagnosed with AF and found that statin users had a 17% reduced risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, a 7% reduced risk of hemorrhagic stroke, and a 15% reduced risk of TIA compared to statin non-users.

Source: Medscape | Read full article