engleski

COAGULATION PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL MICROEMBOLI

Background ; High plasma fibrinogen levels are recognised as playing an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease and stroke. Plasma D-dimers, antithrombin III (AT III), C rcactive protein (CRP), protein S (PS) levels are further important coagulation parameters. Using transcranial Doppler (1'CD), abnormal high-intensity transient signals indicating cerebral emboli can be revealed. The aim of this study was to determine the retationship between these coagulation parameters with emboli positive or negative patients. Methods and results: A total of 58 patients (40 men and 18 women, age 59+17 yrs) with extracranial carotid artery stenosis (> 50 %) was examined by color coded duplex sonography. Plasma tibrinogen, D-dimer levels, AT 11I, CRP and PS were determined in all patients and simultaneous TCD monitoring of MCAs was performed over I hour, The patients were categorised as emboli positive or emboli negative. Cerebral microemboli signals were detected in 24 patients (41.4%). '1'he mean tibrinogen plasma level in emboli positive patients was significantly higher (4.13 glL) than in emboli negative paticnts (3.4 g/L), (p< 0.05). However, D-dimer, CRP, AT III and PS levels between the two analysed groups did not show statistically signiticant difference. Conclusions: elevated plasma tibrinogen levels might be added io the list of risk factors for stroke and may serve as a predictor of future vascular events. D-dimer, AT III, CRP and PS levels need to be evaluated for their importance in determining patients at high stroke risk.

microemboli; transcranial Doppler; coagulation

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