Table of Contents
Page created on June 3, 2021. Last updated on May 7, 2023 at 18:41
Antiplatelet therapy
Should be initiated in all patients after ischaemic stroke. Either aspirin or clopidogrel. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible of ischaemic stroke onset, except if the patient receives thrombolysis, in which case it should be started 24 hours after.
Cholesterol management
High intensity statins should be initiated in all patients after ischaemic stroke. Statins are beneficial for all patients, possibly even if they don’t have dyslipidaemia, but most patients with ischaemic stroke have dyslipidaemia anyway. The target LDL is 1,4 mM (according to European guidelines. American guidelines target 1.8). If the target isn’t reached with high intensity statins alone and lifestyle changes alone, adjunctive cholesterol lowering drugs should be added.
Blood pressure management
For patients without diabetes, the target is < 140/90 mmHg. For patients with diabetes, the target is < 130/80 mmHg. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions should be used.
Anticoagulation
Anticoagulation is initiated in all patients with atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke. DOACs are preferred.
Carotid surgery
Carotid surgery is indicated for everyone with a 70 – 99% carotid stenosis (1A recommendation) and suggested for those with 50 – 69% stenosis (2A recommendation). This involves carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting.
Blood glucose management
For patients with diabetes. Target is < 7% (53 mmol/mol)
Other interventions
- Smoking cessation
- Reduction of alcohol consumption
- Regular physical activity
- Mediterranean diet
- Salt intake < 2,4 g/day
Ischemic stroke patients are at very high risk and therefore have a LDL target of 1,4 mmol/L (lecture)
International guidelines say 1.8, and I can’t double check whether the lecture says 1,4 right now. But I’ve added a note about it.
The international guidelines does not say 1.8 for VERY HIGH risk – 1.8 is the target value for HIGH risk
(after ischemic stroke, you belong to the VERY HIGH risk group)
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/1/111/5556353
Turns out American guidelines state 1.8, and European ones state 1.4. I’ll change the topic.
Thanks!