Effects of acute pravastatin treatment on intensity of rescue therapy, length of inpatient stay, and 6-month outcome in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We have previously demonstrated that acute pravastatin therapy after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage ameliorates vasospasm-related delayed ischemic deficits. This study assesses the effects of pravastatin on the frequency and intensity for rescue therapy, length of inpatient stay, and long-term outcome at 6 months. METHODS Eighty aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (age 18 to 84 years, onset 1.8+/-1.3 days) were randomized to receive daily oral pravastatin (40 mg) or placebo for up to 14 days. Clinical events were recorded during the trial. Six-month outcome was assessed using the Short Form 36 and the modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS Although no significant difference in the outcome at discharge was found between the trial groups, multivariate analysis showed pravastatin therapy reduced unfavorable outcome by 73% (P=0.041). The benefit persisted at 6 months (P=0.063) and was notable in the physical (P<0.001) and psychosocial (P<0.001) aspects measured using Short Form 36. Furthermore, the acute pravastatin therapy reduced the requirement for triple-H therapy (hypertensive, hypervolemic, hemodilution; P=0.045) and mortality related to vasospasm (P=0.02) and sepsis (P=0.001); no significant difference was found in the length of inpatient stay between the trial groups. CONCLUSIONS This trial demonstrates that acute statin treatment reduces traditional rescue therapy for vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Improvement in early outcome has proved robust at 6 months, particularly in relation to physical and psychosocial (Short Form 36) outcome.