Comparison of efficacy and safety between loading-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in cerebral infarction

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of loading-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in the treatment of cerebral infarction (CI).

Methods: A total of 151 CI patients treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University from January 2015 to February 2020 retrospectively were selected and divided into four groups: conventional atorvastatin, loading-dose atorvastatin, conventional rosuvastatin, and loading-dose rosuvastatin. Primary outcomes assessed included changes in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, clinical efficacy, alterations in serum lipid indices, liver function, inflammation markers, CI indices, and the incidence of adverse reactions.

Results: After treatment, all groups showed a significant decrease in NIHSS scores (all P<0.0001). The loading-dose groups exhibited greater reductions in NIHSS scores compared to the conventional groups (both P<0.0001). No significant difference was found in NIHSS scores between the two loading-dose groups (P>0.05). The loading-dose groups demonstrated higher efficacy than the conventional groups (both P<0.05), with no significant difference between the two loading-dose groups (both P>0.05). Loading-dose rosuvastatin showed superior improvement in blood lipid control compared to loading-dose atorvastatin (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in liver function indices among the groups (all P>0.05). Inflammation and myocardial indices intensified 24 hours after treatment, with milder intensification in the loading-dose rosuvastatin group compared to the loading-dose atorvastatin group (P<0.05). The incidences of adverse reactions did not significantly differ among the groups (all P>0.05).

Conclusion: Both loading-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin demonstrated increased clinical efficacy in the treatment of CI patients, ensuring safety and effectiveness. However, rosuvastatin exhibited superior efficacy in blood lipid control. These findings provide valuable guidance for the clinical management of CI.