title: Lipoprotein (a) and carotid atherosclerosis in young patients with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elevated lipoprotein (a) concentration is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged and older patients with ischemic stroke. This association has not been explored in young patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of data from patients aged 16 to 54 years consecutively treated for acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary stroke unit during 4.5 years was performed. We graded carotid atherosclerosis using carotid duplex as: no atherosclerosis (A); plaque without stenosis (B); or stenosis≥50% (C).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred ninety-six patients were included (male/female: 119/77; mean age±SD: 44.3±8.6 years): 115 in Group A; 67 in Group B; and 14 in Group C. Multivariate analysis using polynomial logistic regression showed a graded association of lipoprotein (a) plasma concentration with carotid atherosclerosis (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed a positive association of lipoprotein (a) plasma concentration with carotid atherosclerosis in young adults with ischemic stroke. This association was strong, graded, and independent of traditional risk factors including cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: Service de Neurologie Vasculaire and INSERM U858-Team 09, Département d'Epidémiologie, Toulouse University Hospital, Hôpital Rangueil, 1, av Prof Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. nasr.n@chu-toulouse.fr
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: Jean Bernard
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ruidavets
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farghali
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guidolin
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perret
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Larrue
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)