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Endothelial Progenitor Cells Count after Acute Ischemic Stroke Predicts Functional Outcome in Patients with Carotid

Pol Camps-Renom1, Elena Jiménez-Xarrié2, Marta Soler3

  • 1Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Department of Medicine), C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain.; Cerebrovascular Diseases, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), C/Sant Quintí 77, 08041, Barcelona Spain..

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases : the Official Journal of National Stroke Association
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Higher circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) are linked to better functional recovery after ischemic stroke. EPC counts did not predict stroke recurrence in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Neurology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) are known predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The prognostic value of EPCs in patients following ischemic stroke, particularly with carotid atherosclerosis, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic significance of circulating EPCs in patients with acute ischemic stroke and carotid atherosclerosis.
  • To assess the association between EPC counts and post-stroke functional outcomes and stroke recurrence.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 80 adult patients with acute ischemic stroke and carotid atherosclerosis were studied.
  • Circulating EPCs were quantified using flow cytometry at stroke onset and one-year follow-up.
  • Functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale) and stroke recurrences were assessed at three months and one year.

Main Results:

  • A higher count of circulating EPCs was significantly associated with a favorable functional outcome at three months and one year post-stroke (p=0.011).
  • Multivariable analysis confirmed that elevated EPC levels independently predicted better functional recovery, even after adjusting for age and NIHSS score.
  • No significant association was found between EPC counts and the recurrence of stroke.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated circulating EPC levels are a positive prognostic marker for functional recovery in ischemic stroke patients with carotid atherosclerosis.
  • EPC counts do not appear to be a reliable predictor of recurrent stroke in this patient population.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCarotidEndothelial progenitor cellsFunctional outcomeRecurrenceStroke

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