الفهرس 
OVERVIEW ON STROKEOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 119 |  |  |
| | | from | 119 | | |
Abstract
troke is a disease that affects the blood vessels supplying the brain with interruption of blood flow and thus oxygen delivery to a certain area of the brain with rapid loss of brain functions.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide ranking behind diseases the heart and all forms of the cancers. Approximately 9 million people all over the world had a stroke in 2008.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the mean platelet volume (MPV) and Thrombopoietin (TPO) hormone concentration in patients with acute ischemic stroke and compare this with healthy controls.
This study was carried prospectively on 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria during the period from February 2013 to July 2013 and compared with 15 control participants. All patients were within 24 hours after stroke. MPV and TPO concentration were measured on admission.
The age range of patients was 50-85 years with mean age of 60.8 years. There were 18 males (60%) and 12 females (40%).
Risk factors for atherosclerosis were present in 21 patients (70%) where hypertension and diabetes mellitus constituted the most common risk factors being 70% and 56.7% respectively.
Thrombotic stroke along distribution of the carotid system was noted in 27 patients (90%) and vertebro-basilar system in 3 patients (10%).
Small cerebral hemispheric infarction was noted in 17 patients (63%) and large infarction in 13 patients (37%).
The presenting symptoms and signs varied in studied patients. Motor weakness was found in 24 patients (80%), dysphasia in 7 patients (23.3%), disturbed conscious level in 8 patients (26.7%), visual field defect in 9 patients (30%) and ataxia in 2 patients (6.7%).
Evaluation of the severity of neurological deficits utilizing Rankin’s scale revealed severe deficits in 14 patients (46.7%), mild in 8 patients (26.7%) and mortality in 2 patients (6.7%).
High Thrombopoietin concentration was found in 20 patients (66.6%) while no individual in control group had high Thrombopoietin concentration.
In addition, high MPV was encountered in 14 patients (46.7%). There was statistical significance regarding levels of both MPV and TPO between patient and control groups.
Diabetes mellitus as an atherosclerotic risk factor had significant association with high TPO concentration and high MPV.
Age, gender, risk factors for atherosclerosis other than diabetes mellitus, severity of neurological deficits and size of the infarction had no significant relationship to TPO concentration and MPV.
Conclusion
Acute ischemic stroke is associated with high MPV and TPO levels; the finding indicates increased megakaryopoiesis and increased platelet activity in acute ischemic stroke.