Lipitor improves kidney function post stroke

USA-based Pfizer says that post-stroke or mini-stroke patients treated with Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) 80mg had stabilization or improvement in kidney function, according to the post hoc analysis of the landmark SPARCL study, which was presented at the American Heart Association 2007 Scientific Sessions, in Orlando.

About 700,000 Americans and 1.1 million Europeans suffer from a stroke or mini-stroke annually. Data from the SPARCL study show that stroke patients with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome or chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of additional cardiovascular events, compared to those without these conditions. In this new analysis, kidney function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73m2), a standard test for kidney function. According to Pfizer, post-stroke or mini-stroke patients without chronic kidney disease, with chronic kidney disease and with metabolic syndrome on Lipitor 80mg had significantly improved kidney function compared to placebo. In post-stroke or mini-stroke patients with type 2 diabetes, those treated with Lipitor demonstrated stabilized kidney function, while patients receiving placebo had significantly declined kidney function during the trial, the firm added.