Using AtorVASTatin to Prevent VAscular Inflammatory OccLUSion in the Critically Ill
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Patients are admitted to the critical care unit of the hospital because of medical conditions
that have a high likelihood of causing severe problems with blood flow, breathing, or brain
function. These conditions also have a high likelihood of causing death. Approximately 10 to
15% of all critically ill patients die in hospital. A large amount of scientific evidence
suggests that a substantial proportion of these deaths is due to a combination of blot
clotting and inflammation in the blood vessels.
Statins are drugs that interfere with cholesterol and fat metabolism. Cholesterol and fat in
the blood are associated with blood clotting and inflammation in the blood vessels. Statins
are known to be very beneficial in improving the survival after heart attacks, and in
preventing heart attacks.
The question that VASTVALUS asks is: do statins improve survival among all critically ill
patients? In VASTVALUS, we will concentrate on patients that do not currently require a
statin because of their medical condition e.g. after a heart attack, but we are concerned
with the rest of the critically ill. In VASTVALUS, participating patients will receive either
atorvastatin 80 mg daily or a placebo. Atorvastatin is a statin with a well-established
record of safety and effectiveness. A placebo has no known medical activity. We will follow
all patients in VASTVALUS to determine whether atorvastatin has any effect on the occurrence
of death, stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure among the critically ill. Results from
VASTVALUS will be shared with the medical community after the study is completed. As with all
clinical trials, patients in VASTVALUS participate of their own choice, and can change their
mind at any time.