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In some randomized trials of statin therapy to prevent coronary events, lower rates of stroke were noted. However, no trial has been designed specifically to examine whether statins prevent strokes in patients with previous strokes. In this randomized, industry-sponsored trial, 4731 patients (with recent strokes or transient ischemic attacks, LDL cholesterol levels 100–190 mg/dL, and no known coronary disease) received daily atorvastatin (80 mg) or placebo. At baseline, mean LDL level was 133 mg/dL. Patients with severely disabling previous strokes were excluded.
During a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the incidence of fatal or nonfatal stroke was lower in the atorvastatin group than in the placebo group (11.2% vs. 13.1%). Unadjusted and adj…