fibrin and Cerebral-Infarction

For thrombus formation, three important factors, blood flow, blood component and blood vessels, have been recognized as Virchow's triad. In cardiogenic embolism with atrial fibrillation, stagnation of blood in the left atrium causes fibrin-rich thrombus. Anticoagulation is the only effective drug for prevention of this type of thrombus. In atherothrombotic and lacunar infarction, injury of endothelium and arterial vessels and platelet play a crucial role of formation of platelet-rich thrombus. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel and cilostazole are effective for prevention of arterial thrombus and stroke recurrence, but other drugs such as statin for plaque stabilization and improvement of endothelial function could be used to reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Platelets; Carotid Stenosis; Cerebral Infarction; Fibrin; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Secondary Prevention; Thrombosis

The thrombus enhancement sign (TES) is thought to be associated with the source of the stroke and thrombus composition. We investigated whether this imaging sign along with other thrombus characteristics could be used to predict the successful first pass effect (FPE) of mechanical thrombectomy.. 246 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation with large vessel occlusion who underwent thrombectomy with a stent retriever and clot collection were included. Patients were divided into FPE (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade 2c or 3)/non-FPE (mTICI 0-2b) and modified FPE (mFPE) (mTICI 2b-3)/non-mFPE (mTICI 0-2a) groups based on flow restoration after the first pass. TES presence, thrombus density, thrombus length, clot burden score, and thrombus composition were compared. The association between FPE and imaging biomarkers, along with clinical and interventional parameters, was investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.. FPE was achieved in 85 (34.6%) patients. TES presence was significantly lower in the FPE group (64.7% vs 80.7% in the non-FPE group, p=0.008) and mFPE group (69.1% vs 81.0% in the non-mFPE group, p=0.039). Histopathological examination revealed that TES (+) thrombi contained a higher fibrin/platelet proportion (50.9% vs 46.9% in TES (-) thrombi, p=0.029) and fewer erythrocytes (43.3% vs 47.3% in TES (-) thrombi, p=0.030). Thrombus characteristics, namely shorter thrombus length (p=0.032), higher erythrocyte proportions (p=0.026), and less fibrin/platelets (p=0.014), were confirmed in patients with FPE. In multivariable analysis, TES was the only independent predictor of FPE failure (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.94; p=0.031).. TES was independently associated with first pass angiographic failure in patients treated with a stent retriever.

Topics: Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebral Infarction; Computed Tomography Angiography; Fibrin; Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Stroke; Thrombectomy; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome

To share our first experience with the Nimbus stentretriever, a multizone device designed to assist neurointerventionalists in handling fibrin-rich clots in endovascular stroke treatment.. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who were treated with the Nimbus stentretriever at our high-volume stroke center between May 2021 and May 2022. We evaluated the number of passes before Nimbus was used, the number of passes with nimbus, as well as the recanalization success before and after Nimbus according to the modified treatment in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) scale. Also, patient characteristics, procedural times and clinical outcomes were documented.. A total of 21 consecutive patients were included in the study. An mTICI 2b/3 could be achieved in 76.2% and mTICI 2c/3 could be achieved in 57.1%. The mean number of passes was 3.4 before the use of Nimbus, 2.2 with Nimbus, and 5.4 for all passes with and without Nimbus and 4 occlusions (19.0%) were successfully recanalized with direct aspiration after the use of Nimbus. We observed seven subarachnoid hemorrhages (33.3%) and two cases of vasospasm.. In our series, the use of Nimbus resulted in successful recanalization in half of the patients after otherwise unsuccessful thrombectomy maneuvers; therefore, it should be considered as a rescue option if the maneuver with conventional stent retrievers was unsuccessful.

Topics: Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Infarction; Fibrin; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Stroke; Thrombectomy; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome

Cerebral thrombosis, a blood clot in a cerebral artery or vein, is the most common type of cerebral infarction. The study of the cell components of cerebral blood clots is important for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. However, the current approaches to studying the cell components of the clots are mainly based on in situ staining, which is unsuitable for the comprehensive study of the cell components because cells are tightly wrapped in the clots. Previous studies have successfully isolated a fibrinolytic enzyme (sFE) from Sipunculus nudus, which can degrade the cross-linked fibrin directly, releasing the cell components. This study established a comprehensive method based on the sFE to study the cell components of cerebral thrombus. This protocol includes clot dissolving, cell releasing, cell staining, and routine blood examination. According to this method, the cell components could be studied quantitatively and qualitatively. The representative results of experiments using this method are shown.

Topics: Cerebral Infarction; Fibrin; Humans; Staining and Labeling; Thrombosis; Veins

A novel stent retriever device for in vivo mechanical thrombectomy for acute cerebral infarction has been developed. In this study, we compared the thrombus removal capacity, potential complications, and extent of vessel wall damage of this novel device with those of the Solitaire FR device by performing a histopathologic analysis using an autopsied canine model. Through this experimental evaluation, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the newly developed thrombus removal device for cerebral infarction. Blood clots (autologous thrombus) were injected into 12 canines. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed in six canines using the newly developed Tromba thrombectomy device (experimental group) and in the other six canines using the Solitaire FR thrombectomy device (control group). Angiographic and histopathologic evaluations were performed 1 month after the blood vessels underwent mechanical thrombectomy. In the experimental group, the reperfusion patency was classified as "no narrowing" in five cases and "moderate narrowing (25%-50% stenosis)" in one case. In the control group, the reperfusion patency was classified as "no narrowing" in four cases, "moderate narrowing (25%-50% stenosis)" in one case, and "slight narrowing (less than 25% stenosis)" in one case. In the experimental group, intimal proliferation was observed in only two cases, endothelial loss was observed in two cases, and device-induced medial injury was observed in one case. In the control group, intimal proliferation was observed in two cases, endothelial loss was observed in one case, and thrombosis (fibrin/platelet) was observed in one case. The Tromba thrombectomy device showed no significant difference to the conventional Solitaire device in angiographic and histopathologic evaluations after thrombus removal. The stability and efficiency of the newly developed Tromba device are considered to be high and comparable to those of Solitaire.

Topics: Animals; Cerebral Infarction; Constriction, Pathologic; Dogs; Fibrin; Stents; Stroke; Thrombectomy; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome

Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) of the heart is a rare non-neoplastic intracardiac mass, a calcium deposition surrounded by amorphous fibrous tissue, and possibly causes cerebral embolism. Even rarer is CAT associated with infection, and no CAT with antecedent infection has been reported to our knowledge. In addition, although some CAT in patients on hemodialysis has been reported to grow rapidly, no case has been reported on CAT that grew and diminished rapidly in a short period of time. Here, we report the case of an 82-year-old Japanese woman with normal renal function who developed multiple cerebral infarctions due to CAT that grew rapidly, associated with inflammation from an antecedent infection, and diminished rapidly by detachment of fibrin on the mass surface and antithrombotic drugs.. The patient developed fever after dental treatment and found musical hallucination on the left ear worsened in degree and frequency. In a nearby clinic, she was treated with antibiotics, and her body temperature turned to normal in approximately 1 month. She presented to our hospital for workup on the worsened musical hallucination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple cerebral infarctions, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed an immobile hyperechoic mass with an acoustic shadow arising from a posterior cusp of the mitral valve. CAT was suspected and treated with apixaban and aspirin. Follow-up MRI and TTE showed newly developed multiple cerebral infarctions and rapidly diminished CAT. Cardiac surgery was performed to resect the CAT. The pathological findings showed calcifications surrounded by amorphous fibrous tissue including fibrin, indicating CAT. The patient's symptoms improved and no cerebral infarctions recurred in 4 months follow-up.. Inflammation from an antecedent infection can cause CAT to grow rapidly. Fibrous tissue including fibrin may attach to the surface of CAT, resulting in multiple cerebral infarctions. Fibrous tissue may detach and disappear by antithrombotic drugs, leading to a rapid diminishment of CAT in size.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspirin; Calcinosis; Calcium; Cerebral Infarction; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinolytic Agents; Hallucinations; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Inflammation; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local

Little is known, in man, in the post-thrombolytic molecular dynamics of haemostasis, particularly the effect of rt-PA on antifibrinolytic components such as alpha2 anti-plasmin and Factor XIII.. The purpose of this study was to systematically determine changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters after thrombolysis with rt-PA during 24h. We also aimed to correlate these parameters with different acute ischemic stroke subtypes and global outcome.. Eighty consecutive patients with cerebral infarcts treated with rt-PA had their plasma levels of fibrinogen, plasminogen, alpha2-antiplasmin, Factor XIII, fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and D-Dimers measured at baseline (h0), 2 (h2) and 24h (h24) after initiation of thrombolysis. Correlations between the variations of these components were statistically studied, using the Spearman rank test or the Pearson test. These haemostatic parameters were also compared with cardioembolic and non cardioembolic patients, as well as between poor and favourable outcome patients.. Between h0 and h2, a decrease in fibrinogen, plasminogen, alpha2-antiplasmin, and factor XIII was observed, while an increase in FDP and D-Dimers took place. These values returned to the initial levels at h24. At 2h, the decrease in fibrinogen was significantly correlated with that of plasminogen (0.48, p=0.01), alpha2-antiplasmin (0.48, p=0.004), and factor XIII (0.44, p=0.01); the decrease in plasminogen was significantly correlated with those of antifibrinolytic components, factor XIII (0.47, p=0.02) and alpha2-antiplasmin (r=0.77, p<0.001). These variations were independent of NIHSS. Cardioembolic infarcts showed a statistically significant greater h0-h2 decrease in plasminogen (p=0.04) and an h0-h2 increase in FDP (p=0.02). Poor outcome was linked to low plasminogen values at 2 and 24h.. Supposed to be fibrin-specific, rt-PA induces a decrease in circulating fibrinogen, significantly linked to a decrease in plasminogen. A collateral increase in antifibrinolytic agents such as factor XIII and alpha2-antiplasmin is also observed. At 2h, a significant decrease in plasminogen and a significant increase in fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) are observed in cardioembolic infarcts, and appear as early independent predictors of this aetiology. A low plasminogen value at 2h is potentially predictive of poor prognosis at 3months.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-2-Antiplasmin; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Cerebral Infarction; Factor XIII; Female; Fibrin; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinogen; Fibrinolytic Agents; Formycins; Hemostasis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Plasminogen; Ribonucleotides; Thrombolytic Therapy; Time Factors; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Treatment Outcome

To test the role of fibrinolysis in stroke, we used a mouse model in which preformed 2.5- to 3-microm-diameter fibrin microemboli are injected into the cerebral circulation. The microemboli lodge in the downstream precapillary vasculature and are susceptible to fibrinolysis.. We injected various doses of microemboli into the internal carotid artery in mice and characterized their distribution, effects on cerebral blood flow, neurological deficit, infarct area, and spontaneous dissolution. By comparing wild-type and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) knockout (tPA-/-) mice, we analyzed the role of endogenous tPA in acute thrombotic stroke.. Microemboli cause dose-dependent brain injury. Although moderate doses of microemboli are followed by spontaneous reperfusion, they result in reproducible injury. Gene knockout of tPA markedly delays dissolution of cerebral emboli and restoration of blood flow and aggravates ischemic thrombotic infarction in the brain.. We describe a microembolic model of stroke, in which degree of injury can be controlled by the dose of microemboli injected. Unlike vessel occlusion models, this model can be modulated to allow spontaneous fibrinolysis. Application to tPA-/- mice supports a key role of endogenous tPA in restoring cerebral blood flow and limiting infarct size after thrombosis.

Topics: Animals; Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebral Infarction; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrin; Fibrinolysis; Injections, Intra-Arterial; Injections, Intravenous; Intracranial Embolism; Iodine Radioisotopes; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Particle Size; Reperfusion; Tail; Tissue Distribution; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Although the serine protease, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for therapy to combat focal cerebral infarction, the basic concept of thrombolytic tPA therapy for stroke was challenged by recent studies that used genetically manipulated tPA-deficient (tPA-/-) mice, which suggested that tPA mediates ischemic neuronal damage. However, those studies were potentially flawed because the genotypes of tPA-/- and wild-type control mice were not entirely clear, and ischemic neuronal injury was evaluated in isolation of tPA effects on brain thrombosis. Using mice with appropriate genetic backgrounds and a middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model with nonsiliconized thread, which does lead to microvascular thrombus formation, in the present study we determined the risk for cerebrovascular thrombosis and neuronal injury in tPA-/- and genetically matched tPA+/+ mice subjected to transient focal ischemia. Cerebrovascular fibrin deposition and the infarction volume were increased by 8.2- and 6. 7-fold in tPA-/- versus tPA+/+ mice, respectively, and these variables were correlated with reduced cerebral blood flow up to 58% (P<0.05) and impaired motor neurological score by 70% (P<0.05). Our findings indicate that tPA deficiency exacerbates ischemia-induced cerebrovascular thrombosis and that endogenous tPA protects the brain from an ischemic insult, presumably through its thrombolytic action. In addition, our study emphasizes the importance of appropriate genetic controls in murine stroke research.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Brain Edema; Brain Ischemia; Capillaries; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Circle of Willis; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fibrin; Intracranial Thrombosis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neuroprotective Agents; Stroke; Sutures; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Treatment options in acute stroke are limited by a dearth of safe and effective regimens for recanalization of an occluded cerebrovascular tributary, as well as by the fact that patients present only after the occlusive event is established. We hypothesized that even if the site of major arterial occlusion is recanalized after stroke, microvascular thrombosis continues to occur at distal sites, reducing postischemic flow and contributing to ongoing neuronal death. To test this hypothesis, and to show that microvascular thrombosis occurs as an ongoing, dynamic process after the onset of stroke, we tested the effects of a potent antiplatelet agent given both before and after the onset of middle cerebral arterial (MCA) occlusion in a murine model of stroke. After 45 min of MCA occlusion and 23 h of reperfusion, fibrin accumulates in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, based upon immunoblotting, and localizes to microvascular lumena, based upon immunostaining. In concordance with these data, there is a nearly threefold increase in the ipsilateral accumulation of 111In-labeled platelets in mice subjected to stroke compared with mice not subjected to stroke. When a novel inhibitor of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor (SDZ GPI 562) was administered immediately before MCA occlusion, platelet accumulation was reduced 48%, and fibrin accumulation was reduced by 47% by immunoblot densitometry. GPI 562 exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of cerebral infarct volumes measured by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, as well as improvement in postischemic cerebral blood flow, measured by laser doppler. GPI 562 caused a dose-dependent increase in tail vein bleeding time, but intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was not significantly increased at therapeutic doses; however, there was an increase in ICH at the highest doses tested. When given immediately after withdrawal of the MCA occluding suture, GPI 562 was shown to reduce cerebral infarct volumes by 70%. These data support the hypothesis that in ischemic regions of brain, microvascular thrombi continue to accumulate even after recanalization of the MCA, contributing to postischemic hypoperfusion and ongoing neuronal damage.

Topics: Animals; Benzylamines; Bleeding Time; Blood Platelets; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Infarction; Fibrin; Functional Laterality; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microcirculation; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; Reperfusion

We developed a fibrin-rich thrombotic focal cerebral ischemic model with reproducible and predictable infarct volume in rats. In male Wistar rats (n = 77), a thrombus was induced at the origin of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by injection of thrombin via an intraluminal catheter placed in the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Thrombus induction and consequent ischemic cell damage were examined by histopathological analysis and neurological deficit scoring, and by measuring changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) using laser-Doppler flowmetery (LDF), perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), and by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). Histopathology revealed that a fibrin-rich thrombus localized to the origin of the right MCA. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the right parietal cortex was reduced by 34-58% of preinjection levels after injection of thrombin in rats administered 30 U of thrombin (n = 10). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a reduction in CBF and a hyperintensity DWI encompassing the territory supplied by the right MCA. The infarct volume in rats administered 80 U of thrombin was 31.29 +/- 12.9% of the contralateral hemisphere at 24 h (n = 13), and 34.7 +/- 16.4% of the contralateral hemisphere at 168 h (n = 6). Rats administered 30 U of thrombin exhibited a hemispheric infarct volume of 34.0 +/- 14.5% (n = 9) at 24 h and 29.7 +/- 13.9% (n = 8) at 168 h. In addition, thrombotic rats (n = 3) treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (10 mg/kg) 2 h after thrombosis showed that CBF rapidly returned towards preischemic values as measured by PWI. This model of thrombotic ischemia is relevant to thromboembolic stroke in humans and may be useful in documenting the safety and efficacy of thrombolytic intervention as well as for investigating therapies complementary to antithrombotic therapy.

Topics: Animals; Brain Edema; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebral Infarction; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrin; Fibrinolytic Agents; Injections, Intra-Arterial; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Parietal Lobe; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Recombinant Proteins; Reproducibility of Results; Thrombin; Thrombolytic Therapy; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

We developed a new model of embolic cerebral ischemia in the rat which provides a reproducible and predictable infarct volume within the territory supplied by the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The MCA was occluded by an embolus in Wistar rats (n = 71). An additional three non-embolized rats were used as a control. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by means of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) before and after embolization. The evolution of the lesion was monitored by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). Cerebral vascular perfusion patterns were examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Infarct volumes were measured on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained coronal sections. The lodgment of the clot at the origin of the MCA and the ischemic cell damage were examined using light microscopy. Regional CBF in the ipsilateral parietal cortex decreased to 43 +/- 4.1% (P < 0.05) of preischemic levels (n = 10). Confocal microscopic examination revealed a reduction of cerebral plasma perfusion in the ipsilateral MCA territory (n = 6). MRI measurements showed a reduction in CBF and a hyperintensity DWI encompassing the territory supplied by the MCA (n = 4). An embolus was found in all rats at 24 h after embolization. The infarct volume as a percentage of the contralateral hemisphere was 32.5 +/- 3.31% at 24 h (n = 20), 33.0 +/- 3.6% at 48 h (n = 13), and 34.5 +/- 4.74% at 168 h (n = 12) after embolization. This model of embolic focal cerebral ischemia results in ischemic cell damage and provides a reproducible and predictable infarct volume. This model is relevant to thromboembolic stroke in humans and may be useful in documenting the safety and efficacy of fibrinolytic intervention and in investigating therapies complementary to antithrombotic therapy.

Topics: Animals; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Blood Gas Analysis; Blood Pressure; Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Disease Models, Animal; Embolism; Fibrin; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Rats; Rats, Wistar

We investigated the distribution and frequency of microthromboemboli (MTE) in acute infarcts in humans and determined whether MTE in the contralateral circulation resulted in histological changes.. Forty patients dying within the first month after unilateral infarct were investigated. Infarct etiology was determined mainly on the pathological findings. Whole brain sections from the region of maximal necrosis were stained for fibrin. Fibrin-containing MTE were transferred to a schematic drawing and counted. Sections from 20 patients without infarcts served as controls.. Infarct sections had significantly more MTE than controls. Infarcts of thrombotic (n=6) and thromboembolic (n=21) origin had more MTE than infarcts of embolic origin (n=13). Thromboembolic infarcts had the highest number of MTE within the region assumed to be the ischemic penumbra, other arterial territories, and the contralateral hemisphere. Patients with large infarcts and those with short clinical courses had a higher number of MTE. Sixteen patients had recent micronecroses in the contralateral hemisphere.. There seems to be a pattern of MTE in acute infarcts that is dependent on cause, size, and clinical duration. Our findings of contralateral micronecroses emphasize that acute infarcts may result in more widespread cerebral injury than clinically expected. Given the many variables influencing stroke and death in humans, the results have to be interpreted with caution.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Autopsy; Brain; Cause of Death; Cerebral Arteries; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Coloring Agents; Female; Fibrin; Humans; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Male; Necrosis

Thrombocytic, haemostatic and fibrinolytic quantities were investigated in 47 patients with cerebral infarction and 34 patients with cerebral haemorrhage. Sixteen of the infarction patients and ten patients of the haemorrhage group were on acetylsalicylic acid medication. Of the remaining 55 patients without acetylsalicylic medication 21/31 = 67.7% of the patients in the infarction group and 9/24 = 37.5% of the patients in the bleeding group had unphysiologically enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation. With regard to the coagulation and fibrinolysis markers no significant differences were found between the two groups. In both groups, coagulation activity markers (fibrin monomer and thrombin-antithrombin III), as well as D-dimers were significantly higher than in controls in a high proportion of cases. In 5/47 of the infarction patients and in 3/34 of the haemorrhage patients the fibrin monomer levels were elevated to such an extent, that it can be considered as low grade disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the cerebral haemorrhage group, 80.3% of the patients who subsequently died showed a significantly enhanced fibrin monomer concentration, compared with 28.6% of those who survived. The corresponding frequencies for D-dimer were 100% compared with 66.7%. In the cerebral infarction group, the only analytical quantity showing a significant difference between patients with a fatal outcome and those with a non-fatal outcome was ADP (2 mumol/l) induced platelet aggregation (83.3% in the fatal group, 40.0% in the non-fatal group).

Topics: Adenosine Diphosphate; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antithrombin III; Blood Coagulation; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Infarction; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Activation; Platelet Aggregation; Prognosis; Thrombin

We evaluated 50 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke to assess the prevalence of systemic infection preceding the neurological event. We analyzed the immunohematologic characteristics of patients with and without signs and/or symptoms of a preceding infectious process. Patients were examined less than or equal to 7 days after cerebral infarction and evaluated for fibrinogen, anticardiolipin antibodies, fibrin D-dimer (a fragment of cross-linked fibrin), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and protein S. Of the 50 patients, 17 had symptoms of infection beginning less than or equal to 1 month before the stroke (11 had upper respiratory tract infections, three urinary tract infections, two subacute bacterial endocarditis, and one pneumonia). Compared with patients without infection, patients with infection had significant increases in fibrin D-dimer concentration (5.3 +/- 1.1 versus 4.7 +/- 0.9 log-transformed ng/ml, p less than 0.05) and cardiolipin immunoreactivity, IgG isotype (1.8 +/- 1.3 versus 1.1 +/- 0.9 log-transformed phospholipid units, p less than 0.04), and, when studied less than or equal to 2 days after the stroke, increased fibrinogen levels (459 +/- 126 versus 360 +/- 94 mg/dl, p less than 0.05). In conclusion, infection-associated cerebral infarction is common and is associated with substantial immunohematologic abnormalities.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cardiolipins; Cerebral Infarction; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin Isotypes; Infections; Male; Middle Aged; Phospholipids

The mean levels of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and soluble fibrin (tPA method) in cancer patients (n = 32) were intermediate between those of patients with cerebral infarction and pancreatitis who had the most abnormal results and patients with myocardial infarction and pneumonia who had the least abnormal results. Patients with disseminated malignancies (n = 16) had significantly higher mean levels of FPA (10.6 vs. 5.3 nmol/l) and TAT (11.0 vs. 4.4 pmol/l) than patients with limited malignancies (n = 16). The difference in soluble fibrin (fibrin monomer, FM; 22.1 vs. 18.0 nmol/l) was not significant. The values of FPA, FM, and TAT in the patient population correlated significantly. There was a negative correlation between the level of antithrombin and test results for FPA (-0.69), FM (-0.48), and TAT (-0.38) in the cancer patients. Even cancer patients with locally limited disease may have elevated FPA, FM, and TAT test results, indicating a state of definite hypercoagulation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antithrombin III; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Blood Coagulation Tests; Cerebral Infarction; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinopeptide A; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Peptide Hydrolases; Pneumonia; Predictive Value of Tests; Reference Values

Evidence of damage to cerebral vein walls was sought in 70 cases of multiple sclerosis. Seventy control cases were also examined. The multiple sclerosis cases showed venous intramural fibrinoid deposition (7%), recent haemorrhages (17%), old haemorrhages revealed by haemosiderin deposition (30%), thrombosis (6%) and thickened veins (19%). In all, 41% of all multiple sclerosis cases showed some evidence of vein damage. Occasional control cases showed haemosiderin deposition in the brain but, unlike the multiple sclerosis cases, these were diffuse and almost entirely related to coexistent cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Haemosiderin deposition was common in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei in all cases. It is concluded that the cerebral vein wall in multiple sclerosis is subject to chronic inflammatory damage, which promotes haemorrhage and increased permeability, and constitutes a form of vasculitis.

Topics: Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebral Veins; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Fibrin; Hemosiderin; Humans; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Iron; Multiple Sclerosis; Vasculitis

A combined dynamic examination of 114 patients with strokes of different nature localized in the cerebral hemispheres has shown that the degree of the hemostatic changes depends on the severity of the disease and the stage of the DIC syndrome at the time of examination. Three stages of DIC have been identified: hypercoagulation, incomplete consumption coagulopathy, and marked consumption coagulopathy. Drug correction of hemostatic alterations is possible only at stages I and II. The guidelines of the drug therapy of the DIC syndrome associated with cerebral strokes are presented.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Female; Fibrin; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Protease Inhibitors

Cerebral vascular lesions of 26 cases in systemic lupus erythematosus during a period from 1963 to 1978 were examined histologically and the following conclusions were made: 1. The prominent vascular changes of the brain were thrombosis, fibrinoid degeneration, endothelial swelling and proliferation, arteriolosclerosis, and perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells. 2. From clinico-pathological viewpoints, thrombosis seemed to play an important role in the development of neurological signs. In five cases, characteristic granular or homogeneous thrombi were observed in the small blood vessels including venule. Infarct without proved vascular obstruction but probably due to thrombosis was seen in four cases. The true character of the granular thrombi was not determined, either electronmicroscopically or immunohistochemically. These suggested the presence of a tendency for in situ formation of thrombus. 3. Fibrinoid degeneration seen in four cases mainly affected arterile of less than 50 micrometer in diameter in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and brain stem. This change of arteriole did not play a significant role in neurological signs. 4. Endothelial swelling and proliferation of the small blood vessels were prominent in the cases with thrombosis and fibrinoid degeneration. 5. Perivascular infiltration of the inflammatory cells was observed in about one-half of the cases but its significance was not clear.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Vessels; Brain; Brain Diseases; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Infarction; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Child; Encephalitis; Endothelium; Female; Fibrin; Humans; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged

Topics: Blindness; Blood Platelets; Carotid Artery Thrombosis; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebral Infarction; Embolism; Endarteritis; Fibrin; Hemiplegia; Humans; Intracranial Embolism; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Leukocytes; Retinal Vessels; Thrombosis