The relationship between pulse pressure with plasma PCSK 9 and
interleukin-6 among patients with acute ischemic stroke and dyslipidemia
Abstract
Background and purpose: A high plasma concentration of proprotein
convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is characteristic of a
prothrombotic state in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Elevated
inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), are associated with
worse outcomes after ischemic stroke. We aimed to study the role of
plasma PCSK9 and IL-6 in acute ischemic stroke with dyslipidemia.
Methods: We divided 123 enrolled patients with first-ever acute ischemic
stroke into normotensive and high blood pressure (BP) groups and further
into high and low pulse pressure (PP) subgroups. Clinical
characteristics and inflammatory and metabolic parameters, including
plasma PCSK9 and IL-6, were recorded. Results: After the analysis of the
normotensive and BP groups, there were positive correlations between PP
and carotid stenosis (P = 0.031) and plaque numbers (P = 0.013) and
between National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (P =
0.019) and carotid stenosis severity (P = 0.021) and resistance index
(RI) (P = 0.04). There was a significant association between plasma
cholesterol and PCSK9 (P = 0.044) in the low PP subgroup and IL-6 (P =
0.042) in the high PP subgroup. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that
plasma PCSK9 levels were associated with the low PP subgroup, while IL-6
was associated with the high PP subgroup. Dyslipidemia control is also
necessary for those who had a stroke and who have high PP. Further
investigation to assess the role of PCSK9 and IL-6 in patients with
stroke is required for early treatment and secondary prevention.