Prognostic value of serum lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of stroke. This study aims to investigate the relationship between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and to determine the prognosis value of Lp(a) to predict the functional outcome. A total of 153 patients with AIS and 120 controls were included in the study. Serum Lp(a) levels were examined in both groups. Severity of the stroke was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. The modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge were determined to establish the prognosis of stroke patients. The prognostic value of Lp(a) to predict the functional outcome within the time of discharge was analyzed by logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for the possible confounders. The results indicated that the serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in AIS patients as compared with normal controls [303 {interquartile range (IQR) 170-529 mg/l} and 144 (IQR 66-252 mg/l), respectively; P=0.000]. In the 52 patients with an unfavorable functional outcome, serum Lp(a) levels were higher compared with those in patients with a favorable outcome [213 (IQR 143-347 mg/l) and 559 (IQR 357-845 mg/l), respectively; P=0.000]. In multivariate analysis, there was an increased risk of unfavorable outcome associated with Lp(a) levels 300 mg/l or more (odds ratio 3.12; 95% confidence interval 1.55-5.28; P=0.001) after adjusting for possible confounders. Serum Lp(a) can be considered as an independent short-term prognostic marker of functional outcome in Chinese patients with AIS even after correcting for possible confounding factors.