Management of Hyperlipidemia After Stroke

Abstract

Purpose of review: Hyperlipidemia is a key therapeutic target for stroke risk modification. The goal of this review is to highlight available treatment options and review their efficacy in the setting of general cardiovascular disease and after most subtypes of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Recent findings: Statins remain first-line in the management of hyperlipidemia to prevent stroke. In recent trials of patients with pre-existing atherosclerotic vascular disease, new agents, most notably PCSK9 inhibitors and ezetimibe, added additional stroke risk reduction when combined with statins. Summary: Risk of stroke can be significantly reduced by understanding that hyperlipidemia is a key therapeutic target, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease, and by identifying patients who may benefit from aggressive LDL-C reduction with statins ± novel agents.