Treatment for ischemic stroke may offer no benefit

AVENTURA, Fla. – Research has found that taking blood thinners after certain types of strokes does not improve outcomes.

Cardiologist Dr. Leonard Pianko said the study specifically looked at how adding blood thinners to clot busting medications could impact people suffering from a stroke cause by a blockage to the brain.

“The surprise finding in this study, which was terminated prematurely, was that there was no added benefit in giving the blood thinners. what was interesting was it didn’t hurt anyone it didn’t cause additional bleeding but there’s no point in using an extra medicine if it doesn’t show any additional benefit,” he said.

Pianko said the double-blind controlled trial involved just over 500 participants.

He said the findings do not relate to clots that form in the blood vessels to the heart.

STATINS MAY HELP FIGHT GUM DISEASE

A new study conducted in cell cultures showed that cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins could help reduce the inflammation associated with gum disease.

This is the first study to trace the biochemical pathways through which statins may be beneficial.

Statins are the most common type of prescription medication in the U.S. today.

They’re taken by 40 million Americans to lower cholesterol.


About the Authors
Kristi Krueger headshot

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.

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