Prognostic significance of interleukin-6 in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing thrombectomy

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic significance of plasma interleukin-6 levels as a predictor of functional outcomes and motor recovery in the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

Materials and Methods: In 2023, 70 patients with acute cerebral vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy were examined. The cohort included 44 (63%) men and 26 (37%) women, aged 38 to 80 years (65.3±9.4). Stroke severity was assessed using the NIHSS (8-23 points), and functional status at discharge was evaluated using the mRS (mRS 0-3: favorable outcome, mRS 4-6: unfavorable outcome). Plasma interleukin-6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on days 1 and 7 of the disease.

Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between interleukin-6 levels and the severity of neurological deficits in patients with NIHSS ≤15 and >15 points during the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Interleukin-6 levels were 8.5±0.7 vs. 13.1±0.9 pg/mL on day 1 and 9.8±1.2 vs. 26.4±3.2 pg/mL on day 7 (p<0.01). Patients with a negative functional outcome had higher interleukin-6 levels both at admission (9.0±0.7 vs. 13.6±1.0 pg/mL) and over time (9.2±0.6 vs. 31.3±3.6 pg/mL; p<0.01). Additionally, higher interleukin-6 levels were observed in patients with hemorrhagic transformation after thrombectomy compared to those without transformation: 15.0±2.1 vs. 27.5±4.4 pg/mL on day 7 (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Plasma interleukin-6 levels correlate with the severity of neurological deficits, functional status, and the presence of hemorrhagic transformation, making it a prognostic biomarker for the course and outcome of acute ischemic stroke.