title: Fibrinogen γ' levels in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fibrinogen γ' variant (γ') has both antithrombotic and prothrombotic properties when compared to normal fibrinogen. It may therefore be of relevance in intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular extension of the bleeding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the role of γ' in intracerebral hemorrhage, and in intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a case-control study in 156 controls and 55 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, with and without intraventricular extension. Levels of fibrinogen γ' and the γ'/total fibrinogen ratio were measured in all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of γ' were increased in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage when compared with controls (0.40 vs 0.32g/l, p<0.001). The γ'/total fibrinogen ratio was similar in patients and controls (0.092 vs 0.096 p=0.42). There was evidence for an unfavorable outcome in patients with fibrinogen levels in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile (OR 4.0, 95%CI 1.1-15.2), and a nonsignificant trend toward unfavorable outcome with higher levels of γ' (p-value for trend=0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that absolute levels of fibrinogen γ' are increased in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, but relative levels are similar in patients and controls, suggesting that the absolute rise in γ' is an acute phase response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. e.vandenherik@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: van den Herik
authors.forename: E Y L
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: L M L
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Lau
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: den Hertog
authors.forename: F W G
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Leebeek
authors.forename: D W J
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Dippel
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Koudstaal
authors.forename: M P M
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Maat
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D015241:Fibrinogens, Abnormal / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015241:Fibrinogens, Abnormal; C527521:fibrinogen gamma'; D005340:Fibrinogen