The prognostic value of haematocrit in acute stroke

One hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients admitted with acute stroke in a carotid distribution had venous blood taken for haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), white cell count (WCC) and urea estimations. Patients were followed for 12 weeks to determine the influence of haematocrit upon fatality. There were 96 patients aged greater than or equal to 65 years and 26 patients less than 65 years. No association could be demonstrated between Hct levels and fatality at 4 or 12 weeks. Regression analysis demonstrated that only increasing age (P less than 0.05) and a raised WCC (P less than 0.005) were independent factors significantly associated with fatality at both 4 and 12 weeks. In the elderly stroke patient (greater than or equal to 65 years) only WCC was significantly associated with fatality (P less than 0.005). Haematocrit levels are of no prognostic value for fatality in acute stroke. A raised white cell count is an important and independent prognostic factor for fatality at both 4 and 12 weeks following stroke.