Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) was significantly related to adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. We aim to investigate the associations of non-HDL-C and adverse outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Among 19 604 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the China National Stroke Registry II, 16 113 with both total cholesterol and HDL-C were analyzed. Patients were classified into 5 groups by quintiles of non-HDL-C. The outcomes included recurrent ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and all-cause death within 1 year. The relationship of non-HDL-C with the risk of outcomes was analyzed by Cox regression models. Results: Among the 16 113 patients, the median (interquartile range) of non-HDL-C was 3.41 (2.78-4.10) mmol/L. After adjustment for confounding variables, patients in the top quintile of non-HDL-C were associated with higher risk of recurrent ischemic stroke within 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.20-1.77]), compared with those in the third quintile. Patients in the bottom and top quintile of non-HDL-C were associated with higher risk of all-cause death within 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.01-1.47] and adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.15-1.70], respectively), compared with those in the third quintile. However, non-HDL-C levels were not significantly predictive in intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions: Non-HDL-C may be a qualified predictor for recurrent ischemic stroke and all-cause death within 1 year in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Automated summary

The study suggests that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol may be a qualified predictor for recurrent ischemic stroke and all-cause death within 1 year in patients with acute ischemic stroke, but not predictive for intracranial hemorrhage.