HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME: Take the course for this article: Volume 69, Number 22, November 27, 2007 Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chaturvedi, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chaturvedi, S. Related Collections All Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke Infarction Stroke prevention

Risk factor status and vascular events in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis

From the Department of Neurology (S.C.), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; Department of Neurology (T.N.T., M.F., M.I.C.), Emory University, Atlanta; Department of Biostatistics (M.J.L., G.C.), Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Department of Neurology (S.E.K.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; and Department of Neurology (J.R.), University of Miami, FL.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi, Stroke Program and Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, 8C-UHC, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201 SChaturv{at}med.wayne.edu

Background: There are limited data on the relationship between control of vascular risk factors and vascular events in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods: We utilized the Warfarin Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease study database to analyze vascular and lifestyle risk factors at baseline and averaged over the course of the trial. Cutoff levels defining good control for each factor were prespecified based on national guidelines. Endpoints evaluated included 1) ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death or 2) ischemic stroke alone. Univariate associations were assessed using the log-rank test and multivariable analysis was done using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: From baseline until year 2 follow-up, there was not a significant improvement in blood pressure control. During the same period, there were improvements in patients with total cholesterol <200 mg/dL (54.6% to 79.2%, p < 0.001) or low-density lipoprotein <100 mg/dL (28.7% to 55.9%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg (HR = 1.79, p = 0.0009, 95% confidence limits 1.27 to 2.52), no alcohol consumption (HR 1.69, 1.21 to 2.39, p = 0.002), and cholesterol 200 mg/dL (HR 1.44, 1.004 to 2.07, p = 0.048) were associated with an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. The same risk factors were predictors of ischemic stroke alone in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions: Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels in symptomatic patients with intracranial stenosis are associated with an increased risk of stroke and other major vascular events.

Abbreviations: DM = diabetes mellitus; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; MAP = mean arterial pressure; MI = myocardial infarction; PROGRESS = Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SPARCL = Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels; WASID = Warfarin Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Received January 15, 2007. Accepted in final form May 25, 2007.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Gupta Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease: What Is the Best Treatment Option? Stroke, June 1, 2008; 39(6): 1661 - 1662. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Risk Factor Control in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis Journal Watch Neurology, March 11, 2008; 2008(311): 2 - 2. [Full Text]