Role of inflammation in nonhemorrhagic strokes

Introduction

In recent years considerable interest has been focused on the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes. There are limited data, however, about its participation in the pathogenesis of strokes. We investigated whether inflammation markers are increased in the acute phase of strokes.

Methods

We studied consecutively 54 patients aged 55 ± 8 years old (32 males) that were hospitalized in the ICU from June 2005 to December 2007 with the diagnosis of nonhemorrhagic stroke proven by computed (CT) or magnetic (MRI) tomography. Within 24 hours of their admission, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and fibrinogen values were determined in all patients. Seventy patients, who were comparable as regards their age and sex, were used as a control group.

Results

See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Inflammation markers are increased in the acute phase of ischemic strokes. Further studies are needed to show whether this increase is secondary to or contributes itself in the pathogenesis of ischemic strokes.