Background and purpose: In several cross-sectional studies, a high serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] level was found to be an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction. In a recent prospective study, however, no association was found between Lp(a) levels at baseline and future risk of stroke. Whether Lp(a) is a prognostic factor in a high-risk population of patients with acute ischemic stroke remains unclear.
Methods: We assessed Lp(a) level on admission to study its relationship with cardiovascular risk profile, stroke severity, and prognosis in 151 consecutive patients with acute cerebral ischemia. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 +/- 1.2 years. Lp(a) was measured by means of a solid-phase two-site immunoradiometric assay.
Results: Increased Lp(a) levels were found in 53 (35%) of the patients with cerebral ischemia. Median (5th and 95th percentile) values of Lp(a) were 191 (12 and 1539) mg/L and 197 (10 and 1255) mg/L for patients with transient ischemic attack and patients with ischemic stroke, respectively. No relationship was found between Lp(a) levels and stroke severity (P=.68) or the occurrence of vascular events during follow-up (P log rank=0.81).
Conclusions: We conclude that Lp(a) is increased in about one third of patients with acute cerebral ischemia, but it does not appear to be associated with the cardiovascular risk profile, stroke characteristics, or the prognosis of such patients.