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Importance of the hematocrit as a risk factor in cerebral infarction
Insights
High hematocrit levels increase the risk of cerebral infarction, particularly in patients with severe atherosclerosis. This finding highlights the importance of blood rheology in stroke prevention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cerebral infarction is a major cause of disability and mortality.
- Hematocrit levels, a measure of red blood cell concentration, may influence cerebrovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hematocrit levels and the incidence of cerebral infarction.
- To explore how factors like atherosclerosis and age modify this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 432 autopsied patients (average age 77.1 years).
- Correlation of hematocrit values with cerebral infarction incidence and severity of cerebral atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Higher incidence of cerebral infarction observed in patients with hematocrit > 46%.
- This association was more pronounced in severe cerebral atherosclerosis.
- High hematocrit correlated with increased risk of deep subcortical cerebral infarction.
Conclusions:
- Elevated hematocrit is a risk factor for cerebral infarction, especially in the presence of severe atherosclerosis.
- Blood rheology plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of stroke.
- Findings suggest potential preventive strategies targeting hematocrit levels.
Abstract:
The relationship between the indicence of cerebral infarction and the hematocrit was studied using 432 consecutive autopsied patients with the average age of 77.1 years. The incidence of cerebral infraction was higher in patients with hematocrit values of more than 46%, (the average in younger adult subjects). The increase in the frequency of cerebral infarction with high hematocrit values was more conspicuous in patients with severe cerebral atherosclerosis than in those with slight cerebral atherosclerosis. High blood pressure per se did not influence the relationship between the hematocrit value and the incidence of cerebral infarction. With hematocrit values of more than 41%, cerebral infarction occurred more frequently in patients over 78 years of age than in the younger patients, but the difference was not significant statistically. High hematocrit values are associated with a higher risk of cerebral infarction in deep subcortical structures of the brain than for cartical infarctions. The pathogenetic and preventive implications of these results are discussed in the light of blood rheology.