Is prestroke use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors associated with better outcome?
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) reduce the risk of stroke. However, it is unclear whether ACEI use before stroke provides a vasoprotective effect resulting in less severe stroke.


METHODS
We ascertained all strokes occurring in a defined population in Melbourne, Australia. Prestroke use of ACEIs and concomitant medications was obtained from medical records. Initial neurologic deficit was dichotomized according to a NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score < 8 (less severe deficit) or > or = 8 (severe deficit). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between prestroke use of ACEIs and stroke severity (measured by severity of neurologic deficits and death at 28 days).


RESULTS
Seven hundred sixteen first-ever ischemic stroke patients were included. Previous use of ACEIs was independently associated with a reduced risk of severe neurologic deficits (odds ratio [OR] 0.56; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.91) and death within 28 days (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.87). Diuretics were associated with an increased risk of severe neurologic deficits (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.90). Factors associated with a greater NIHSS score were older age, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and use of diuretics. These factors and claudication were associated with an increased risk of 28-day mortality, whereas use of anticoagulants was associated with a reduced risk of severe neurologic deficits and death.


CONCLUSIONS
Within this large community-based cohort, prestroke use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of severe stroke.
Chitravas
N
N
National Stroke Research Institute, Austin Health, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria, Australia.
Dewey
H M
HM
Nicol
M B
MB
Harding
D L
DL
Pearce
D C
DC
Thrift
A G
AG
D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors