Antithrombin, protein C and protein S levels in 127 consecutive young adults with ischemic stroke.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of antithrombin, protein C and protein S deficiencies in consecutive ischemic stroke patients under 45.


METHODS
We studied 127 consecutive patients with a mean age of 34.4 years admitted for an ischemic stroke, over a 2-year period, after exclusion of those with arterial dissection. Antithrombin, protein C and protein S levels were measured in all patients at the acute stage of the ischemic stroke and measurements were repeated in case of abnormality.


RESULTS
We found abnormal levels in 9 patients. Seven had an acquired cause of deficiency (pregnancy, oestrogen, acute inflammation). Two had no obvious acquired cause of deficiency but further controls were normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Hereditary deficiencies of coagulation inhibitors are rare in ischemic stroke patients under 45 and their systematic detection seems to be of poor interest.
Douay
X
X
Department of Neurology, University of Lille, France.
Lucas
C
C
Caron
C
C
Goudemand
J
J
Leys
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis*; D020151:Protein C Deficiency; D018455:Protein S Deficiency; D012307:Risk Factors
D000991:Antithrombins; D011486:Protein C