ISSN: 2155-9880
Hoang M. Lai, Wilbert S. Aronow, Anthony D. Mercando, Phoenix Kalen, Harit V. Desai, Kaushang Gandhi, Mala Sharma, Harshad Amin and Trung M. Lai
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors in the development of stroke in an outpatient cardiology practice.
Methods: Chart reviews were performed in 1,599 patients (1138 men and 461 women), mean age 72 ± 12 years. Medication use and comorbidities were tabulated for each patient. Stepwise Cox regression analyses were used to analyze 45 different variables for statistical significance. The mean follow-up duration was 63 ± 55 months during 1977 to 2009.
Results: Of the 1, 599 patients, stroke occurred in 48 patients (3%) during follow-up. Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed significant independent risk factors for new stroke were statins (hazard ratio = 0.2656, 95% CI, 0.1480 to 0.4766, p <0.0001), carotid artery stenosis (hazard ratio = 3.7292, 95% CI, 1.7960 to 7.7433, p<0.001), and congestive heart failure (hazard ratio = 2.1369, 95% CI, 1.1046 to 4.1340, p <0.05).
Conclusions: In an outpatient cardiology practice, use of statins reduced the incidence of stroke by 73%. Carotid artery stenosis and congestive heart failure increased the risk of developing stroke by 3.7 times and 2.1 times, respectively.