Prestroke statins use reduces oxidized low density lipoprotein levels and improves clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation related acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of cerebral infarction, which could lead to endothelial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL).AF is associated with higher mortality and more severe neurologic disability. Statins may exert neuroprotective effects that are independent of LDL-C lowering. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether prestroke statins use could reduce plasma Ox-LDL levels and improve clinical outcomes in patients with AF-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: This was a multicenter prospective study that involved four medical centers, 242 AIS patients with AF were identified, who underwent a comprehensive clinical investigation and a 72h-Holter electrocardiogram monitoring. All patients were divided into two groups: prestroke statins use and n o prestroke statins use groups , who were followed up for 3 months. Plasma Ox-LDL levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on admission and at 3 months. The outcome was death, major disability (modified Rankin Scale score≥3), and composite outcome (death/major disability) at 3 months after AIS. Results: 136 patients were in no prestroke statins use group, and 106 in prestroke statins use group . Plasma Ox-LDL levels were significantly lower in prestroke statins use than in no prestroke statins use on admission and at 3 months (P<0.001). Plasma Ox-LDL levels on admission were associated with 3-month mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.05; 95% confidence interval(CI), 0.99-1.12; P=0.047]. In fully adjusted models, prestroke statins use was associated with reduced 3-month mortality [adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16–0.91; P=0.031)], major disability (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95%CI, 0.15–0.99; P=0.047), and composite outcome (adjusted OR, 0.31; 95% CI,0.17–0.74; P=0.009). Conclusions: Prestroke statins use can reduce plasma Ox-LDL levels and improve clinical outcomes in patients with AF-related AIS.

Prestroke Statins Improve Prognosis of Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Stroke through Increasing Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 Levels

“…A cohort study showed that prestroke statin use among patients with AF-related ischemic stroke was associated with a significantly reduction of disease progression and 30 days mortality [37,38]. Consistent with previous study, our data suggested that prestroke statin use improved disease prognosis in AF-AIS patients [39].…”