2021, Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part C

Objective: To determine the role of Lipoprotein (a) as a marker for ischemic stroke, with regard to Indian scenario.

Design: This is a case-control study.

Duration: One year (2019-2020).

Setting: Department of Medicine, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad.

Participants: Hundred patients admitted in Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad.

Methods: Diagnosis of ischemic stroke was based on clinical evidence of ischemic stroke and CT scan/MRI. Some exclusions were made. 50 age and sex matched healthy subjects were used as controls. In all patients, a detailed history, general physical examination, a detailed neurological examination and other risk factor variables were entered on a pre-designed proforma. SBP ≥140mm Hg, DBP ≥90mm Hg were considered hypertensive levels; any patient with FBS ≥126mg/dl (or) RBS ≥200mg/dl was defined diabetic. Each case underwent the investigations – Plasma Lipoprotein (a) Levels, Lipid Profile, Complete Hemogram, Complete Urine Examination, Blood Sugars, Renal Function Tests, Serum Electrolytes, ECG, Echocardiography^*, X-Ray, CT-Brain^*, MRI-Brain^*. Lp (a) was measured by a Hitachi model 717 (7160) automated analyser using Lp (a) Latex DIACHI kit. ^*Denotes whenever required.

Results: In the present study, cases of ischemic stroke (n = 100) had a mean plasma Lp (a) value of 38.034 mg/dl with a S.D. of 17.423, which was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than in healthy controls, in whom it was 24.308 mg/dl with a S.D. of 11.469, indicating that serum lipoprotein (a) levels are a risk factor of ischemic stroke.

Conclusion: Elevated serum Lp (a) is an independent risk factor of ischemic stroke. Measurement of serum Lp (a) has to be considered as a screening tool for the risk of vascular events in patients with various known risk factors. It is imperative to strictly control additional risk factors in individuals with elevated Lp (a).