RESUMEN
Hyperhomocysteinaemia has been identified as a strong risk factor for ischemic stroke [IS]. A point mutation in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR C677T] has been associated with increased plasma homocysteine [Hcy] levels. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether hyperhomocysteinaemia and/or MTHFR C677T mutation are associated with ischemic stroke. A case-control study including 50 consecutive patients with confirmed IS and 97 controls was performed. Fasting plasma homocysteine levels, MTHFR C677T genotypes were assessed. Other factors such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, recurrent stroke tobacco and alcohol were investigated. Mean plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in IS patients than in controls [15.83 +/- 10.60] micro mol/L vs 13,78 +/- 6.29 micro mol/L, p=0.04], while no association of MTHFR C677T variant was observed even with homocysteine. The risk to develop ischemic stroke in hyperhomocysteinemic subjects was 2.4 times more than in subjects with normal Hcy levels [OR= 2.4; 95% CI: 1.13-5.06; p<0.05]. Our findings suggest that high levels of homocysteine but not MTHFR C677T polymorphism represent risk factors for arterial ischemic stroke in Tunisian subjects
RESUMEN
An acquired factor VII deficiency was identified in a 63-year-old man with bronchogenic carcinoma. Initial studies indicated a normal activated partial thromboplastin time and a prolonged prothrombin time. The factor VII level was 6%. No evidence of a factor VII inhibitor or inactivator was demonstrable. However, on account of the initial normal laboratory test of emostases, the partial correction of the prothrombin time with 50% normal plasma in vitro and the family history, the congenital deficiency in factor VII was ruled out. Whatever the mechanism involved, this factor VII deficiency was related to malignancy