Antithrombin III activity in cerebrovascular accidents.

ABSTRACT

Cerebrovascular accidents are commonly due to occlusive or haemorrhagic lesions. The present prospective study was planned to find out role of antithrombin in possible etiopathological process, which might predispose an individual for stroke. METHOD: Biological activity of antithrombin III was done by the method as described by Innerfield et al (1976). Immunological estimation of an antithrombin III was done by single radial immunodiffusion by the technique of Mancini et al modified by Fahey and Mckelvey. RESULTS: The biological and immunological activity of antithrombin III was measured in 98 patient of occlusive and 56 patients of haemorrhagic strokes. Significant depression in biological as well as immunological activity (p<0.001) was observed in occlusive stroke. In haemorrhagic stroke both, biological and immunological activity was increased. In follow up study, there was progressive normalization of both, biological as well as of immunological activity in both group. CONCLUSION: Decrease of antithrombin III in occlusive and increase in haemorrhagic stroke indicates that these changes have at least an additive role in the pathogenesis of stroke.