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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
[Evaluation of blood rheology by patients with acute ischemic stroke with Mexidol administration]
D M Plotnikov1, M N Stegmeier1, O I Aliev2
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia.
Abstract:
To study rheological properties of blood in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mexidol.
Material And Methods:
Sixty patients with acute stroke, including 32 patients who received mexidol (500 mg/IV/20 days) and 28 people who received magnesium sulfate (2000 mg/IV/20 days) were examined. The control group included 20 people without a cardiovascular pathology. Blood rheology (viscosity of whole blood, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes, fibrinogen level) was evaluated in patients three times: for the first 12 hours, 3-5 days and 18-20 days after hospitalization.
Results:
Hyperviscosity syndrome was observed in all patients with stroke. A significant decrease in blood viscosity was found in patients treated with mexidol: in the 3-5th day at low shear rates and in the 18-20th day at 3-100 s-1 shear rates. Significant differences in hematocrit (p=0.026) and fibrinogen levels (p=0.017) in patients treated with different drugs were found in the 18-20th day of the disease. Higher erythrocyte deformability index was recorded in patients treated with mexidol in the 3-5th day at shear rates of 90 and 890 s-1, in the 18-20th day at shear rates of 90-360 s-1.
Conclusion:
The study confirms the impact of mexidol on the fluidity of blood during the acute cerebral ischemia and shows its efficacy in reducing blood viscosity, decreasing the level of hematocrit and fibrinogen, increasing the deformability of erythrocytes.
Insights
Mexidol treatment significantly improved blood flow in acute ischemic stroke patients by reducing blood viscosity and hematocrit. This enhances erythrocyte deformability, crucial for better circulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute ischemic stroke is often associated with impaired blood rheology, including hyperviscosity syndrome.
- Understanding the rheological impact of therapeutic interventions is crucial for optimizing stroke treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of mexidol on blood rheological properties in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
- To compare the rheological changes induced by mexidol versus magnesium sulfate.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 60 acute stroke patients, divided into groups receiving either mexidol or magnesium sulfate, plus a control group.
- Comprehensive evaluation of blood rheology parameters (viscosity, hematocrit, erythrocyte deformability, fibrinogen) at multiple time points post-hospitalization.
Main Results:
- Mexidol treatment led to a significant reduction in blood viscosity at various shear rates.
- Patients receiving mexidol showed improved erythrocyte deformability and significant decreases in hematocrit and fibrinogen levels by day 18-20.
- Hyperviscosity syndrome was prevalent in all stroke patients studied.
Conclusions:
- Mexidol effectively improves blood fluidity in acute cerebral ischemia.
- The drug demonstrates efficacy in reducing blood viscosity, hematocrit, and fibrinogen levels.
- Mexidol treatment enhances erythrocyte deformability, contributing to improved blood flow characteristics.
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