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Lee KP, Huang HC, Tsai JY, Hsu LC. Statin treatment in stroke patient with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2024; 33:107645. [PMID: 38395098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The effectiveness of hyperlipidemia treatment in strokes secondary prevention has been established. However, whether pretreatment with statins could confer protective effects when a patient's baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is <70 mg/dL remains uncertain. Additionally, the ability of statin treatment to reduce poststroke complications, mortality, and recurrence in this patient group is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS In this retrospective observational study, we enrolled patients who had experienced an ischemic stroke with LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL. We analyzed the association of statin use with baseline characteristics, stroke severity, in-hospital complications, mortality rates, stroke recurrence rate, and mortality rate. Patients who used and patients who did not use statins were similar in terms of age and sex. Patients using statins had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prior stroke, and coronary artery disease but a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation. Stroke severity was less pronounced in those using statins. We also evaluated the relationship between in-hospital statin use and complications. We noted that in-hospital statin use was associated with lower rates of infection, hemorrhagic transformation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and mortality, as well as higher rates of positive functional outcomes. The 1-year recurrence rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Statin use is associated with milder strokes and improved poststroke outcomes, even in patients with well-controlled LDL levels. Neurologists may consider prescribing statins for patients with ischemic stroke who do not overt hyperlipidemia. Further research into potential underlying mechanisms is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Po Lee
- Department of Neurology, Tainan Sin Lau Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chi Huang
- Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Yao Tsai
- Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chi Hsu
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Avenatti E, Carrasco-Avila JA, Heidari B, Hagan K, Taha M, Nasir K. The Role of Lipid-Lowering Therapy in Post-Stroke Patients: Update and Recommendations. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:889-898. [PMID: 37882944 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life years worldwide, and the global lifetime risk of stroke is rising. Moreover, patients with a prior stroke are at high risk of recurrent events. We aimed at reviewing the evidence supporting aggressive secondary prevention strategies for lipid-lowering treatment in this population. RECENT FINDINGS Statins are the key players in such aggressive management; however, stroke survivors remain at significant residual risk suggesting the need for both better implementation of statin use as well as additional lipid lowering therapies. Newer drugs have become available and represent important tools in the management of patients with prior ischemic stroke. The role of lipid lowering treatment in hemorrhagic stroke is more controversial, given epidemiological data linking low lipid levels with increased risk of first and recurrent events. Aggressive secondary prevention strategies, including lipid lowering treatments, have proven to mitigate the risk of recurrent events in post-stroke patients. The tools available for treating such high-risk population have expanded beyond statins, and clinicians should familiarize themselves with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Avenatti
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin St Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - B Heidari
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin St Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - K Hagan
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin St Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Outcome Research Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M Taha
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin St Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - K Nasir
- Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin St Suite 1801, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Outcome Research Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
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Åivo J, Ruuskanen JO, Tornio A, Rautava P, Kytö V. Lack of Statin Therapy and Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke: A Population-Based Study. Stroke 2023; 54:781-790. [PMID: 36748465 PMCID: PMC10561684 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.122.040536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statin treatment is effective at preventing adverse vascular events after ischemic stroke (IS). However, many patients fail to use statins after IS. We studied the impact of not using statins after IS on adverse outcomes. METHODS IS patients (n=59 588) admitted to 20 Finnish hospitals were retrospectively studied. Study data were combined from national registries on hospital admissions, mortality, cancer diagnoses, prescription medication purchases, and permissions for special reimbursements for medications. Usage of prescription medication was defined as drug purchase within 90 days after hospital discharge. Ongoing statin use during follow-up was analyzed in 90-day intervals. Differences in baseline features, comorbidities, other medications, and recanalization therapies were balanced with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Median follow-up was 5.7 years. RESULTS Statin therapy was not used by 27.1% of patients within 90 days after IS discharge, with women and older patients using statins less frequently. The average proportion of patients without ongoing statin during the 12-year follow-up was 36.0%. Patients without early statins had higher all-cause mortality at 1 year (7.5% versus 4.4% in patients who did use statins; hazard ratio [HR], 1.74 [CI, 1.61-1.87]) and 12 years (56.8% versus 48.6%; HR, 1.37 [CI, 1.33-1.41]). Cumulative incidence of major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event was higher at 1 year (subdistribution HR, 1.36 [CI, 1.29-1.43]) and 12 years (subdistribution HR, 1.21 [CI, 1.18-1.25]) without early statin use. Cardiovascular death, recurrent IS, and myocardial infarction were more frequent without early statin use. Early statin use was not associated with hemorrhagic stroke during follow-up. Lack of ongoing statin during follow-up was associated with risk of death in time-dependent analysis (adjusted HR, 3.03 [CI, 2.96-3.23]). CONCLUSIONS Lack of statin treatment after IS is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Measures to further improve timely statin use after IS are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Åivo
- Neurocenter, Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland (J.Å., J.O.R.)
| | - Jori O. Ruuskanen
- Neurocenter, Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland (J.Å., J.O.R.)
| | - Aleksi Tornio
- Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland (A.T.)
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Turku University Hospital, Finland (A.T.)
| | - Päivi Rautava
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Finland (P.R.)
- Turku Clinical Research Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland (P.R., V.K.)
| | - Ville Kytö
- Turku Clinical Research Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland (P.R., V.K.)
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland (V.K.)
- Research Center of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Finland (V.K.)
- Center for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland (V.K.)
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Kamtchum-Tatuene J, Nomani AZ, Falcione S, Munsterman D, Sykes G, Joy T, Spronk E, Vargas MI, Jickling GC. Non-stenotic Carotid Plaques in Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source. Front Neurol 2021; 12:719329. [PMID: 34630291 PMCID: PMC8492999 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.719329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) represents one in five ischemic strokes. Ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques are identified in 40% of all ESUS. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence supporting the potential causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques; discuss the remaining challenges in establishing the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS and describe biomarkers of potential interest for future research. In support of the causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques, studies have shown that plaques with high-risk features are five times more prevalent in the ipsilateral vs. the contralateral carotid and there is a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up in patients with ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques. However, non-stenotic carotid plaques with or without high-risk features often coexist with other potential etiologies of stroke, notably atrial fibrillation (8.5%), intracranial atherosclerosis (8.4%), patent foramen ovale (5-9%), and atrial cardiopathy (2.4%). Such puzzling clinical associations make it challenging to confirm the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS. There are several ongoing studies exploring whether select protein and RNA biomarkers of plaque progression or vulnerability could facilitate the reclassification of some ESUS as large vessel strokes or help to optimize secondary prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ali Z. Nomani
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarina Falcione
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Danielle Munsterman
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gina Sykes
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Twinkle Joy
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Spronk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maria Isabel Vargas
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Glen C. Jickling
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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