Plasma levels of copeptin predict 1-year mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke

To evaluate the association between plasma levels of copeptin and 1-year mortality in a cohort of Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke. We prospectively studied 275 patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted within 24 h after the onset of symptoms. Copeptin and NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score were measured at the time of admission. The prognostic value of copeptin to predict mortality within 1 year was compared with the NIHSS score and other known outcome predictors. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher copeptin levels on admission compared with survivors (P