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Summary
White blood cell (WBC) filterability is impaired after stroke, not red blood cell (RBC) deformability. This WBC issue may contribute to stroke-related ischemia and tissue damage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hematology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability.
- Understanding microcirculatory dysfunction post-stroke is crucial for treatment.
- Leukocyte (white blood cell) function may be altered after stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) filterability in patients with recent ischemic stroke.
- To determine if altered cell filterability contributes to stroke pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- A novel filtration apparatus was used to assess RBC and WBC deformability and filter occlusion.
- Eighteen ischemic stroke patients were compared to eighteen matched controls.
- Filtration was performed using suspensions of RBCs alone and RBCs with WBCs.
Main Results:
- RBC deformability was not significantly altered in stroke patients compared to controls.
- Filter occlusion was significantly higher in stroke patients when both RBCs and WBCs were filtered.
- This increased occlusion was not observed when only RBCs were filtered, indicating impaired WBC filterability.
Conclusions:
- Stroke is associated with impaired WBC filterability, potentially due to decreased deformability or increased adhesiveness.
- Slowed WBC passage in microcirculation may impede nutritive flow, contributing to ischemia and necrosis post-stroke.