Neurology Diagnostics

Posts Tagged ‘Stroke Treatment’

Statins (Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, Crestor, etc.) Should be initiated early after a first stroke (AC) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

These drugs not only decrease the risk of a new cerebrovascular event, but also reduce the risk of coronary events, even in patients without history of cardiovascular disease.

This follows from the SPARCL study (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) presented at the 15th European Stroke Conference in mid last year.

Statins have been used traditionally to normalize cholesterol levels in patients with dyslipidemia.

However, the evidence of this scientific work shows that the statin (Lipitor) has benefits beyond just reducing LDL “bad” or LDL, but even in patients with normal total cholesterol, this drug prevents the possibility of a new stroke or coronary event. Read the rest of this entry »

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that is associated with stroke (AC) by emboli from the heart.

This arrhythmia causes turbulence in the atrium or left atrium, which helps the formation of thrombi or clots that travel through the aorta to the brain, causing blockage of a cerebral artery and finally AC.

To prevent AC in patients with AF, can handle a blood thinner such as warfarin or acenocoumarol, or simply aspirin.

In under 75 years it is clear that thinner is better than aspirin in preventing AC in patients with AF. But over 75 years, the benefit is lower, increasing the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant, sometimes fatal.

The study BAFTA (Birmingham Atrial Fibrillation Treatment of the Aged) compared Warfarin versus aspirin in patients over 75 years with AF and showed that warfarin is superior to aspirin in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, as long as they keep a good control of anticoagulation, which should be indicated by blood tests regularly calls the prescribing physician.

The results were published in the journal Lancet on August 11, 2007 and had previously been released in Glasgow, at the 16th European Stroke Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where I was fortunate to attend.