[Serum lipids in stroke].

Abstract

In 60 patients with brain strokes the changes in serum triglycerides, cholesterol and optic density were determined in various stages of brain stroke. The control group included 60 patients without clinical evidence of atherosclerosis. Changes were observed in serum lipids in patients during brain stroke and they concerned mainly the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The intensity of these changes reflected the severity of the condition of the patient. In all patients the serum cholesterol level decreased during the first 7 days of the disease. In the group with favourable outcome a rise was observed in the cholesterol level after 4 weeks of disease. In the group with unfavorable course of the disease the level of cholesterol continued to fall until death. The triglyceride level was significantly lower in all patients in the 1st week of the disease in relation to the control group. After 4 weeks of the disease the triglyceride level rose to values not significantly different from those in the control group. The value of optic density of the serum in the group of patients in different stages of the disease was not statistically different from that in the control group. Determinations of serum lipids in patients with brain strokes together with clinical evaluation of the state of the patient seem to be useful in establishing prognosis in the disease.