Study of erythrocyte aggregation alterations in patients with ischemic stroke.

Abstract

Isquemic stroke is the result of the evolution of atherothrombotic processes that are related to endothelial damage and dysfunction cause by chronic diseases such as hypertension and dyslipemia. Previous works has been reported about hemorheological disturbances in the course of cerebrovascular diseases, including increased erythrocyte aggregation (EA). The main objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in hemorrheological properties and in particular the erythrocyte aggregation process, which occur in 20 patients with ischemic stroke during the acute stage, compared to a control group (n=20) with similar risk factors. Concentration of fibrinogen (Fb), C reactive protein and triglycerides (TG) were determined in plasma. Into blood: EA, by optical densitometry, getting the average size of the aggregates and the initial speed of the process, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, erythrocyte rigidity index, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and standardized relative blood viscosity at 45% hematocrit. We found that the erythrocytes of patients with stroke aggregate faster (0,92 ± 0,49 vs 0,64 ± 0,24, p <0,00001) and form larger aggregates (1,84 ± 0,07 vs 1,81 ± 0,07, p <0,05) than controls. This phenomenon correlated (r: Pearson’s coefficient) with plasma alterations, particularly with Fb (r = 0,565, p <0,01) and TG (r = 0,693, p <0,001). Identification of these factors is clinically relevant since it could have an impact on therapeutic strategies.