Cohort study: Statin therapy may reduce the risk of recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE)

Source: European Heart Journal Area: News Several studies suggest that treatment with statins reduces the incidence of a first episode of VTE, but data on the effects in patients with a previous episode are lacking. A study has been published early online in the European Heart Journal which examined the effect of statin therapy on the risk of recurrent PE.   Using a Dutch based record of pharmacy records linked with hospital discharge records, patients hospitalised with an acute episode of PE were identified between 1998 and 2008. Prescription-based use of statins and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) were identified starting at hospital discharge and during follow-up. Twenty-four per cent of the patients (n = 737) had at least one prescription of statins during the follow-up period and the median duration of statin therapy was 1557 (5-4055) days.   During a median follow-up of 1529 days (range 1-4155 days), 285 (9.2%) patients experienced a recurrence. Treatment with statins was associated with a reduced ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news