ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) and minor strokes are important risk factors for further vascular events. We explored the role of albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) in improving risk prediction after a first event. SETTING: Rapid access stroke clinics in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: 2202 patients attending with TIA or minor stroke diagnosed by the attending stroke physician, able to provide a urine sample to evaluate ACR using a near-patient testing device. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE: recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death) at 90 days. The key secondary outcome was to determine whether urinary ACR could contribute to a risk prediction tool for use in a clinic setting. RESULTS: 151 MACE occurred in 144 participants within 90 days. Participants with MACE had higher ACR than those without. A composite score awarding a point each for age >80 years, previous stroke/TIA and presence of microalbuminuria identified those at low risk and high risk. 90% of patients were at low risk (scoring 0 or 1). Their 90-day risk of MACE was 5.7%. Of the remaining 'high-risk' population (scoring 2 or 3) 12.4% experienced MACE over 90 days (p<0.001 compared with the low-risk population). The need for acute admission in the first 7 days was twofold elevated in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group (3.23% vs 1.43%; p=0.05). These findings were validated in an independent historic sample. CONCLUSION: A risk score comprising age, previous stroke/TIA and microalbuminuria predicts future MACE while identifying those at low risk of a recurrent event. This tool shows promise in the risk stratification of patients to avoid the admission of low-risk patients.
