Elevated Calcium after Acute Ischemic Stroke Predicts Severity and Prognosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
• Understanding prognostic biomarkers is crucial for managing stroke patients.
• Serum calcium levels have been investigated for their role in various neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between serum calcium levels and clinical severity.
• To assess the relationship between serum calcium levels and functional outcomes at discharge.
• To explore serum calcium as a potential prognostic biomarker in Chinese acute ischemic stroke patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 339 Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke.
• Collection of baseline demographic and clinical data, including serum calcium levels.
• Assessment of stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional outcomes via the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was found between serum calcium levels and stroke severity (r=0.266, P<0.001).
• Serum calcium concentrations positively correlated with infarct size in a subgroup with MRI data.
• Higher serum calcium levels (highest quartile) were associated with a significantly higher risk of unfavorable outcomes (OR=3.27, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum calcium levels are associated with increased stroke severity and poorer early neurologic outcomes.
• Serum calcium may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for acute ischemic stroke in the Chinese population.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.