When to Measure Lipid Profile after Stroke?

Vol. 19, No. 4, 2005

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 114 KB)

Original Paper

When to Measure Lipid Profile after Stroke?
Bernard Yan^a, Mark Parsons^{a, d}, Sharyn McKay^a, Donald Campbell^{b, d}, Bernard Infeld^a, Raymond Czajko^c, Stephen M. Davis^{a, d}

Departments of
^aNeurology,
^bClinical Epidemiology, Health Service Evaluation Unit and

Address of Corresponding Author

Cerebrovasc Dis 2005;19:234-238 (DOI: 10.1159/000084086)

Key Words

Brain ischemia
Lipids
Statin

Abstract

Background:Although acute decreases in total cholesterol (TC) are well documented in myocardial infarction, previous stroke studies have produced conflicting results. The timing of lipid estimation in ischemic stroke is becoming important with recent trial results indicating the benefits of statins. We therefore aimed to determine the optimal time for lipid measurements after stroke. We hypothesized that TC would acutely decrease after stroke and return to baseline by 12 weeks. Methods and Results: We performed a prospective, observational study of 50 patients (age 68.5 ± 11.2 years) who presented with acute ischemic stroke. Of these, 22 (44%) were HMG-CoA reductase (statin) naïve, 15 (30%) had already been on statins and 13 (26%) were commenced on statins. Of the 50 patients, 38 (76%) completed 12 weeks of follow-up, 5 died, and 7 were lost to follow-up. Fasting lipid profile (TC, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride) was measured <48 h, 4 weeks and 12 weeks following ictus. In patients who were statin naïve, there was a significant increase in TC at the week 12 evaluation. Conclusions: Cholesterol levels in acute stroke are an unreliable measure of lipid status. Initiation of statins should ideally be based on measurements taken 12 weeks after stroke.

Author Contacts

Prof. Stephen Davis
Director of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville, Vic. 3050 (Australia)
Tel. +61 3 9342 8448, Fax +61 3 9342 8427
E-Mail stephen.davis@mh.org.au

Article Information

Received: August 28, 2003
Accepted: October 5, 2004
Published online: February 22, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 24

Medline Abstract (ID 15731554)

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