Significance of plasma fibrinogen levels in ischemic stroke

Background: The pathogenic factors in stroke like atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the same as for myocardial infraction in the latter disease, significant increase in plasma fibrinogen level has been detected, which has a correlation with severity of myocardial damage. It was therefore of interest to measure the plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with acute stroke and also to investigate whether these levels increase if the patient has additional risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. The objective of the study is to measure plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with acute stroke and comparing with age, sex and risk factor matched controls. Materials and Methods: 200 consecutive patients of acute ischemic stroke admitted within 24 hours of development of symptoms who were admitted to SVS Medical College were included in the study. CT Brain (plain) done to confirm ischemic stroke & Fasting plasma fibrinogen in mg/dl was estimated using Clauss method and compared to age, sex and risk factor matched controls. Results: In this study Mean plasma fibrinogen level amongst cases was 523.1 mg/ dL. Mean fibrinogen controls was 292.22mg/ dL. Statistically‘t’ and ‘p’ values were 8.55 and < 0.001. Interpretation & Conclusion: This study shows that the plasma fibrinogen levels are significantly elevated in patients with ischemic strokes when compared to age, sex and risk factor matched controls. Plasma fibrinogen levels rise as age advances. Diabetes, hypertension and smoking do not influence plasma fibrinogen levels.