AHA/ASA Ischemic Stroke Performance Measures

6. Discharged on Statin Medication

Percentage of patients with ischemic stroke who are discharged on statin medication
Numerator Ischemic stroke patients prescribed statin medication at hospital discharge
Denominator Included patients
 Ischemic stroke patients with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL, OR LDL not measured, OR
who were on a lipid-lowering medication prior to hospital arrival
Excluded patients
 Less than 18 years of age
 Length of stay >120 days
 ‘Comfort Measures Only’ documented
 Enrolled in clinical trials related to stroke
 Admitted for ‘Elective Carotid Intervention’
 Discharged to another hospital
 Left against medical advice
 Died
 Discharged to home for hospice care
 Discharged to a health care facility for hospice care
 Documented reason for not prescribing statin therapy at discharge
Period of Assessment Hospital discharge
Sources of Data Prospective flow sheet, retrospective medical record review, electronic
medical record
Rationale
Randomized controlled trials shows that statin therapy in stroke survivors reduces the risk of subsequent
cardiovascular events and recurrent fatal or nonfatal stroke.
Source for Recommendation
From the 2011 AHA/ASA Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient
ischemic attack (Furie, et al. Stroke 2011;42:227-276):
1. Statin therapy with intensive lipid-lowering effects is recommended to reduce risk of stroke and
cardiovascular events among patients with ischemic stroke or TIA who have evidence of
atherosclerosis, an LDL-C level ≥100 mg/dL, and who are without known CHD (Class I; Level of
Evidence B).
2. For patients with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke or TIA and without known CHD, it is reasonable
to target a reduction of at least 50% in LDL-C or a target LDL-C level of _70 mg/dL to obtain
maximum benefit (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B).
3. Patients with ischemic stroke or TIA with elevated cholesterol or comorbid coronary artery
disease should be otherwise managed according to NCEP III guidelines, which include lifestyle
modification, dietary guidelines, and medication recommendations (Class I; Level of Evidence A).
Method of Reporting
 Per patient: Documentation of whether statin was prescribed at discharge.
 Per patient population: Percentage of patients prescribed statin at discharge.

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Challenges to Implementation
 None anticipated.
Analogous Measures Endorsed by Other Organizations
 Analogous measures endorsed or used by: NQF (STK-06, #0439), TJC, AHA GWTG-Stroke, and
CDC PCNASR, and CMS Hospital IQR

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