[Spontaneous changes in blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the acute phase of a stroke]

Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides concentration were determined in 32 patients with acute stroke (23 males and 9 females, mean age = 70.5 +/- 10.4 years) within the first 24 hours from the beginning of symptoms, and repeatedly afterwords, until the 22nd day. A progressive decrease of mean cholesterol concentration was observed, which reached lowest values on the 13th day (20% reduction), and stabilized afterwords. A 30% increase of mean triglycerides levels was found on the fourth day, with subsequent return to the basal level on the 13nth day. One year after, mean values of both parameters, determined in 18 patients, did not differ from the ones observed, in the same subjects, immediately after the acute event.