title: Ischemic stroke in the elderly. Role of the common factor V mutation causing resistance to activated protein C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A common missense mutation in coagulation factor V (Arg 506 Gln) creates phenotypic resistance to the anticoagulant effects of activated protein C and predisposes carriers to venous thrombosis. To assess a correlation between this common hypercoagulable state and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, we have compared the prevalence of this mutation in a group of stroke patients with that in several control patient groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of the factor V Arg 506 Gln mutation was determined by a direct polymerase chain reaction-based assay on peripheral blood leukocytes from 161 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke, 116 elderly patients with stroke risk factors but without acute stroke, 54 healthy elderly control subjects, and 287 younger control individuals (197 blood donors and 90 neonates).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of the heterozygous Arg 506 Gln factor V mutation was not significantly different in the elderly stroke patients (2.5%) compared with either of the age-matched control groups (2% to 4%). The prevalence of this mutation was significantly higher in each of two younger control groups (approximately 8%) than in the elderly stroke patients (2.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The common factor V Arg 506 Gln mutation predisposing to venous thrombosis is not a significant genetic risk factor for ischemic stroke in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Press
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beamer
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Coull
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000235:genetics; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011486:Protein C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011486:Protein C; D005165:Factor V; D001120:Arginine