title: Compliance and echographic carotid plaque evolution in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with atorvastatin according to usual care.
abstract: The aim of the paper is to assess the compliance and efficacy of atorvastatin treatment according to usual care on carotid atheromatous plaque and lipids during follow-up for one year in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Sixty-six patients were included. Morphological plaque characteristics were described and a complete blood analysis was performed at admission and at one year. Nineteen patients stopped treatment. Lipid reduction was significant in triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, with an increase in HDL cholesterol. Morphological characteristics of carotid plaque were not modified. In conclusion, an irregular compliance has been seen in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with atorvastatin according to usual care. Nearly one-third of our patients stopped the treatment before the course of a year. The effect on lipids and its pleiotropic effect on atheromatous carotid artery disease might support the long-term use of atorvastatin, regardless of the dose, in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naves
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D000069059:Atorvastatin