Association between lipid profile and USG doppler determined carotid stenosis in patients presenting with first-ever acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Lipid profile and vessel stenosis are associated with stroke, particularly ischemic stroke. This study aimed to explore the association between lipid profile and USG doppler determined carotid stenosis in patients diagnosed with first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal over 6 months, among 150 patients who were clinically and radiologically diagnosed with ischemic stroke and underwent Carotid Doppler investigation. During their hospital stay, these patients underwent a fasting lipid profile estimation to assess the presence of hyperlipidemia.

Results: Of the 150 patients included in this study, 97 were males. Most stroke cases were present in those >60 years (54.1%) and right MCA infarction was more common (33.3%). Carotid Doppler finding revealed that Grade III stenosis was most common (34%). The bivariate analysis found that >50% carotid stenosis in patients with ischemic stroke (n=62) was significantly associated with hyperlipidemia (n=67). The odds of having >50% carotid stenosis was 6.4 times higher in those with hyperlipidemia (n=47) as compared to those with a normal lipid profile (n=25). Also, the odds of having hyperlipidemia was 3.5 and 2.2 times higher in smokers and alcohol users respectively.

Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke concurrently having hyperlipidemia are more likely to have larger carotid stenosis, while hyperlipidemia is more likely to occur in smokers and alcohol users.