Treating patients who have had ischaemic stroke to a target LDL cholesterol level of 1.8mmol/L reduces their risk of vascular events compared with less intensive lipid-lowering, researchers say.

French investigators in the Treat Stroke to Target trial compared outcomes among patients aiming for the low target with those from a control group given an LDL-C target of 2.6mmol/L.

Nearly 1250 patients with a recent ischaemic stroke or TIA were randomised to be treated to achieve either the higher or lower targets using statins and other lipid-lowering drugs, including ezetimibe, at their treating doctor’s discretion.

About 83% of patients had experienced ischaemic stroke (17% TIA) with the cerebrovascular event occurring a median of six days before enrolment, and all scored 0-3 on the modified Rankin Scale at baseline.