Impact of Traditional and Non-Traditional Lipid Parameters on Outcomes after Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Contradicting evidence exists regarding the role of lipids in outcomes following intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Restricted cubic spline curves and adjusted logistic regression were used to evaluate associations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with poor functional outcome, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and 90-day mortality, among 1004 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who received IV tPA in a comprehensive stroke center. Quartile (Q) 1, Q2 and Q3 of HDL-C were associated with increased odds of poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 1.66, 95% CI 1.06–2.60, p = 0.028, adjOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.05–2.53, p = 0.027, adjOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.01–2.44, p = 0.048) compared to Q4. Q2 and Q4 of non-HDL-C were associated with increased odds of SICH (adjOR 4.28, 95% CI 1.36–18.90, p = 0.025, adjOR 5.17, 95% CI 1.64–22.81, p = 0.011) compared to Q3. Q1 and Q2 of LDL-C was associated with increased odds of mortality (adjOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.27–5.57, p = 0.011 and adjOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.10–5.02, p = 0.032) compared to Q3. In AIS patients who received IV tPA, low LDL-C was associated with increased odds of mortality while HDL-C may be protective against poor functional outcome.