Angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors, statins and the risk of hemorrhage from cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulae

Leptomeningeal venous drainage and symptomatic presentation are known risk factors for cerebral dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) hemorrhage. An evaluation of potentially modifiable risk factors such as hypertension and medication usage has not been undertaken to our knowledge. The authors thus reviewed a cohort of 45 consecutive patients with cerebral dAVF with leptomeningeal venous drainage and compared the rate of hemorrhagic presentation for patients with and without a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia or the usage of certain medications. Logistic regression was performed to determine the statistical significance of associations of each factor with hemorrhagic presentation. On univariate analysis, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors (odds ratio [OR] 0.100, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0–0.764, p = 0.024) and statins (OR 0.142, 95% CI 0.025–0.825, p = 0.030) were associated with a statistically significant lower rate of hemorrhagic presentation. A trend toward a lower rate of hemorrhagic presentation was seen for patients taking aspirin (OR 0.153, 95% CI 0.016–1.43, p = 0.10). These trends continued on multivariate analysis; however they did not meet statistical significance (p > 0.05). Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, warfarin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors did not have a statistically significant association with the rate of hemorrhagic presentation (p > 0.05). Although limited by small sample size, these results may suggest a beneficial effect of statins and ACE-inhibitors on the rate of dAVF hemorrhagic presentation, potentially as a result of anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic or even venous antithrombotic mechanisms. Despite this study’s limitations, we hope it encourages further evaluation of potentially modifiable risk factors for vascular malformation hemorrhage.