title: Inherited protein C deficiency and nonhemorrhagic arterial stroke in young adults.
abstract: Out of a consecutive series of 50 young people less than 45 years old with nonhemorrhagic arterial stroke, three patients had inherited protein C deficiency. CT revealed hypodense areas consistent with the clinical picture, and angiography showed occlusion of some intracranial arterial vessels. Other possible associated causes of stroke were ruled out. One patient had a transient ischemic attack and a peripheral venous thrombosis prior to the actual stroke, whereas the others were completely asymptomatic, as were relatives with the same deficiency. We suggest determining protein C in ischemic stroke of all young adults, especially when major risk factors are excluded.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Neurologia 2a, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camerlingo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finazzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casto
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laffranchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barbui
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020151:Protein C Deficiency; D011859:Radiography