Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

STAT
A common medical abbreviation for urgent
or rush. From the Latin word statum, meaning
“immediately.”
state, hypercoagulable
See 
hypercoagulable
state.
statin
A class of drugs that lower blood choles-
terol. The major effect of the statins is that they
lower LDL cholesterol levels; in fact, they lower LDL
cholesterol more than any other type of drugs.
Statins inhibit an enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, that
controls the rate of cholesterol production in the
body. This slows the production of cholesterol. They
also increase the liver’s ability to remove the LDL
cholesterol already in the blood. Studies have
reported 20 to 60 percent lower LDL cholesterol
levels in patients on these drugs, as well as modest
increases in HDL cholesterol and reduced triglyc-
eride levels. Such reductions should prevent many
heart attacks and deaths due to heart disease.
Statins are usually given in a single dose at the
evening meal or at bedtime, taking advantage of the
fact that the body makes more cholesterol at night
than during the day. Results should be seen after
several weeks, with a maximum effect in 4 to 6
weeks. Serious side effects are rare, but a few
patients experience upset stomach, gas, constipa-
tion, and abdominal pain or cramps. Rarely,
patients on statins develop liver blood test abnor-
malities or muscle soreness, pain, and weakness as
side effects of muscle problems.
status epilepticus
An epileptic seizure that lasts
more than 30 minutes or a constant or near-con-
stant state of having seizures. Status epilepticus is a
health crisis and requires immediate treatment with
antiseizure medications. See also 
epilepsy; seizure
disorder.
STD
Sexually transmitted disease.