Lipid control in patients with an atherothrombotic ischemic stroke

Background and Aims: A proper lipid control following stroke is associated with a lower rate of recurrence vascular events. Most recent guidelines recommend an exhaustive control of cardiovascular risk factors, especially LDL-c levels. Our aim is to evaluate the degree of lipid control in our area according to these guidelines. Methods: A retrospective study on atherothrombotic ischemic strokes admitted in 2020 at a tertiary hospital stroke unit in an area of high incidence of stroke “Spanish stroke belt” was conducted. The following variables were taken into account: sex, age, several cardiovascular risk factors, presence of carotid or intracraneal stenosis, hypolipidemic drugs and lipid levels at stroke unit admission and follow-up. Results: From a sample of 128 patients (64% male, 36% female), 83% of them started a high-intensity lipid lowering treatment during admission. Only 38,3% of them had an LDL determination after suffering the index stroke. Average time from the stroke to the first blood control was 5,24 months. Mean level LDL-c during hospital admission was 94,21mg/dL, and 72,34mg/dL at follow-up. Only 19 of them achieved the goal of LDL-c levels recommended by most recent guidelines. Conclusions: The study shows inadequate LDL-c control among atherothrombotic stroke patients. Moreover, most patients do not have an adequate follow-up of lipid determination. COVID pandemia might have influenced this fact, due to limited access to the Healthcare System. Innovative health strategies concerning vascular risk factors should be taken in order to achieve a tighter follow-up and a better lipid control among these patients.