Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in ischaemic stroke

I Iyigün1, Y Bakirci

  • 1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. iiyigun@atauni.edu.tr

This study investigated how fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels change in response to neural damage occurring after ischaemia, and the relationship between the distribution of the arterial lesion, the disease prognosis and the levels of these substances. Fibrinogen and CRP levels were measured in blood samples obtained from 83 patients admitted to hospital within 72 h of a first ischaemic stroke. The patients were evaluated clinically with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and results were compared with 43 age-matched controls. The fibrinogen and CRP levels in unconscious patients with hemiparesis or hemiplegia were higher than those in conscious hemiplegic patients. Also, the difference in GOS values between the unconscious patients with hemiparesis or hemiplegia and conscious patients with hemiparesis or hemiplegia was statistically significant. Patients with large infarcts in the median cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery had higher fibrinogen and CRP concentrations than the control group. In conclusion, fibrinogen and CRP may be important measures for determining the prognosis and outcome in patients following ischaemic stroke.

Related Concept Videos

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers01:20

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers

Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...