What is the effect of high-dose statins on the risk for intracranial hemorrhage?
The effect of high-dose statins on the risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is uncertain. A meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by Pandit et al. (2016) showed increased ICH with high-dose statins versus control, although relevant studies comparing different statin doses were excluded. However, a more comprehensive meta-analysis by McKinney et al. (2012) did not show an increased risk of ICH (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.88 1.32) regardless of the percent reduction in LDL-C or level of LDL-C achieved.