Effect of prior statin use on functional outcome and delayed vasospasm after acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a matched controlled cohort study.

Objective: Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), which exhibit beneficial cerebrovascular effects by modulating inflammation and nitric oxide production, have not been evaluated in acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. The effect of prior statin use on 14-day functional outcome and on prevention of vasospasm-induced delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) or stroke during hospitalization was analyzed.

Methods: We conducted a 1:2 matched (age, admission Hunt and Hess grade, vascular disease/risk history) cohort study of 20 SAH patients on statins and 40 SAH controls.