High-Density Lipoprotein Is Associated with Progression of Intracranial Aneurysms

Abstract

Background: We tested the hypothesis that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is associated with intracranial aneurysm growth and rupture.

Methods: We used an observational cohort study design. Age, sex, admission systolic blood pressure (SBP), diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, aneurysmal rupture, apolipoprotein (APO)-A1, APO-B, HDL, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, cholesterol, and aneurysm location and size were recorded. Aneurysms <8 mm were categorized as small.

Results: The data from 581 patients with intracranial aneurysms were analyzed. The predictive factors for small size of aneurysms were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 0.630; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.428-0.927; P = 0.019) and higher HDL (OR, 0.327; 95% CI, 0.159-0.672; P = 0.0002). In the subgroup of male patients, lower HDL was the only risk factor for large size (P = 0.015). The predictors of aneurysmal rupture were small size (OR, 0.875; 95% CI, 0.842-0.910; P = 0.000), higher HDL (OR, 3.716; 95% CI, 1.623-8.509; P = 0.002), no coronary artery disease (OR, 4.736; 95% CI, 1.528-14.681; P = 0.007), lower APO-A1 (OR, 0.202; 95% CI, 0.064-0.641; P = 0.007), and higher admission SBP (OR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.015-1.032; P = 0.000). An HDL/aneurysm size ratio >0.31 was associated with a 46.2-fold increased likelihood of aneurysmal rupture (OR, 46.214; 95% CI, 13.386-159.548; P = 0.002).

Conclusions: The HDL level was inversely associated with intracranial aneurysm growth, especially in men. Higher HDL levels and small aneurysm size contributed to a greater risk of aneurysmal rupture. An HDL/size ratio >0.31 was a valuable predictor of intracranial rupture.

Keywords: Growth factor; Intracranial aneurysms; Lipoprotein; Stroke.