Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIp): A Marker of Risk for Ischemic Stroke

Background Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) has been shown as a good surrogate marker for early atherogenesis in patients with cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disease and its leading comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking. This study aims to determine the possibility of Atherogenic Index of Plasma as a marker of risk for ischemic stroke, to determine its relationship to hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking as well as its relationship to carotid artery stenosis and intracranial stenosis. Methods and Results This is a cross-sectional analytic study done in a tertiary hospital. A total of 64 patients (45 males and 19 females) diagnosed with acute or subacute ischemic stroke were included in the study. History of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were recorded. Lipid profile (Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein), Body Mass Index, presence and severity of intracranial stenosis on MRA and presence of carotid artery stenosis and carotid intima-media thickness were recorded. Atherogenic Index of Plasma was positively correlated with total cholesterol [r(62) = .300, p=.016], triglycerides [r(62) = .760, p=.000], smoking [p=.05], and is negatively correlated with HDL [r(62)=-.572, p=.000] and age [r(62)=-.311, p=.012]. AIP did not show any correlation with hypertension, diabetes, intracranial stenosis, carotid artery stenosis and intima-media thickness. Conclusion Atherogenic index of plasma showed positive association with other lipid parameters consistent with findings in literature. No significant association was seen with other comorbidities which was probably influenced by the selected population of the study. Still, AIP shows a potential as a surrogate marker for early atherogenesis which is an important mechanism for ischemic strokes.