Baseline Information

By using standard questionnaires, trained stroke physicians collected demographic information, past medical history, and past medications for each enrolled patient, and conducted clinical evaluations of the patients' neurological function. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed when documented in medical records or when at least two blood pressure readings were higher than 140 mmHg (systolic) or 90 mmHg (diastolic) after the acute phase of stroke. Diabetes was recorded when a patient had known diabetes mellitus at presentation, or the plasma glucose level was higher than 11 mmol/L on admission or during hospital stay. Cigarette smoking was classified as never, previous, or current smokers based on daily tobacco consumption. Alcohol intake was classified as current drinker or non-drinker.

The variables that were collected included age, past medical history, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission, blood pressure level at admission, and secondary intraventricular hemorrhage. On the initial CT scan, we evaluated ICH localization and volume (ABC/2 method). Routine blood sampling and testing were performed within 1 h of the patients' arrival. Fasting blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein on the morning after arrival following an overnight fasting (>8 h), and serum TG, TC, HDLC, and LDLC levels were recorded. Non-HDLC levels were calculated by subtracting serum HDLC levels from serum TC levels. We also documented prior antiplatelet/statin use and statin use after admission.