[Hypolipemic treatment in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque complications]. / Tratamiento hipolipemiante en la prevención de las complicaciones de la placa aterosclerótica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hypercholesterolemia has been shown to be a definite risk factor for coronary disease, although its relevance in cerebrovascular disease is more controversial. This study reviews the part played by different hypolipemic treatments in primary and secondary prevention of the complications of atherothrombotic diseases, particularly stroke. DEVELOPMENT: We based our study mainly on the HMG-CoA inhibitors (3-hydroxyl 3 methyl glutaryl coenzyme A) reductase, or statins++. This group of drugs acts by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol and increasing the expression of LDL-c receptors, achieving a 25-35% lowering of plasma LDL-c levels. In diverse clinical trials they have been shown to have a beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The results of these studies indicate that, in addition to their purely hypolipemic effect, other anti-atherothrombotic mechanisms are involved. We analyze the main studies on hypolipemic drugs in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: The role of statins is clearly defined in reduction of the risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, and also in reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular incidents in patients with a past history of coronary disease and a cholesterol level over 155 mg/dl. Reduction of the risk from cerebrovascular disease has only been observed in primary prevention studies (patients with a past history of coronary disease). Therefore, we shall have to await the results of the clinical trials currently being carried out to determine the true role of statins in the secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disease.

[What sort of stroke requires patient admittance to the hospital? Factors for deciding on hospitalization]. / Cómo es el ictus del paciente que ingresamos? Factores de decisión en la hospitalización.

OBJECTIVE: To study main factors determining medical decision in admitting patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an observational and transversal study. We analyze a hospitalary cohort made by all consecutive patients with ACVD coming to Emergency Room to Hospital Universitario de la Princesa during 1 year. Neurologist on call made on his/her own decision to admit the patient to hospital. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of those patients admitted with those who went home are compared. RESULTS: 517 patients were studied, 147 had transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and 370 had a stroke, 12.3% TIA and 68.4% stroke patients were hospitalized. Age, Canadian Stroke Scale (CSS) on admission, subtype of stroke, atrial fibrillation and abnormal EKG, old lesions in CT, previous TIA and/or CVD, diminished conscious level, orientation and language, sphincter control and evolution time greater than 48 hours were statistically significative in deciding admission. Logistic regression analysis (84.2% total predictive value) showed independent predictive value in age, CSS, previous CVD and some subtypes of stroke (ischemic non lacunar and hemorrhage). CONCLUSIONS: We hospitalize younger patients, with a worse clinical condition and overall hemorrhagic stroke. The percentage of admissions among TIA patients is low. On the other hand, date, time and physicians-team features do not affect the percentage of admissions.