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Blood Leukocytes as Prognostic Parameter in Stroke Thrombectomy
Thomas Huber1, Justus F Kleine, Johannes Kaesmacher
1Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 9, 2016
Summary
Elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) predict poor outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. Pre-treatment WBC levels may also predict outcomes in patients over 50.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hematology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has improved acute ischemic stroke treatment.
- Predicting patient outcomes and optimizing selection criteria remain challenges.
- Elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts are linked to worse stroke outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pre- and post-MT WBC counts and patient outcomes.
- To determine if WBC levels can serve as prognostic markers after successful MT.
Main Methods:
- 115 acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MT were analyzed.
- White blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured before and 1 day after MT.
- Outcomes were assessed using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days.
Main Results:
- Post-MT WBC counts correlated significantly with NIHSS and mRS scores.
- In patients over 50, elevated post-MT WBC counts (≥14.2 G/l) predicted unfavorable NIHSS scores.
- In the same subgroup, elevated post-MT (≥12.6 G/l) and pre-MT (≥10.6 G/l) WBC counts predicted unfavorable mRS outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Routine WBC counts are a simple, cost-effective prognostic tool post-MT.
- WBC counts, particularly pre-treatment levels, may predict outcomes in stroke patients over 50 years old.
