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Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between circulating levels of marinobufagenin (MBG) and salt-sensitivity. Since salt-sensitive hypertensives have increased plasma levels of MBG and are known to be at a higher risk of having cardiovascular events, stroke and increased mortality, we evaluated the possibility of an association between MBG and ischemic stroke. In this pilot study, we determined plasma MBG levels in patients after surviving an ischemic stroke compared to similar age and gender groups of treated hypertensives and normotensive controls. Methods:We measured plasma MBG levels in a total of 40 participants subdivided into three groups: After an ischemic stroke STR (n = 13), participants with a diagnosis of hypertension receiving blood pressure medication HT (n = 14) and normotensive control subjects CTL (n = 13). We used inferential statistics (parametric or non-parametric) and ordered logistic regression models (unadjusted and adjusted) and all statistical analyses were performed using Stata 14.