[C-reactive protein in the acute phase of ischemic stroke]. / Proteína C reactiva en la fase aguda del ictus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the prognostic importance of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in-patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred and seventeen patients within 48 h after index ischemic stroke were included. CRP levels and blood samples were obtained at this time, and a brain computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Neurological and functional disability were evaluated and patients were divided according to the outcome into the following categories: transient ischemic attack, favorable stroke, and non-favorable stroke. RESULTS: 32 in-patients were classified as transient ischemic attack, 31 as favourable stroke, and 54 as non-favorable stroke. There was a worsening in neurological (p < 0.0001) and functional (p < 0.005) disabilities from the TIA group to non-favorable stroke. The CRP mean, by category, was 1.7, 1.07 and 3.6 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We found increased levels of CRP in the non-favorable stroke category, that was related with neurological and functional disabilities, and with radiological findings, mainly when levels were greater than 3.6 (0.49) mg/dl.

Proteína C reactiva en la fase aguda del ictus / C-reactive protein in the acute phase of ischemic stroke

Fundamento y objetivo: Valorar si los valores de proteína C reactiva (PCR) son de utilidad para definir el pronóstico de los pacientes con enfermedad cerebrovascular en fase aguda. Pacientes y método: Se ha estudiado a 117 sujetos con enfermedad cerebrovascular en fase aguda, a los que se realizaron determinaciones de PCR en las primeras 48 h tras el episodio, así como perfil lipídico y otras determinaciones hematológicas, junto con tomografía computarizada o resonancia magnética craneales. Se valoró a los pacientes mediante escalas de capacidad funcional y deterioro neurológico y se les clasificó en 3 grupos atendiendo al pronóstico clínico y funcional durante el ingreso (ataque isquémico transitorio, ictus favorables e ictus desfavorables). Resultados: Un total de 32 pacientes se clasificó como ataque isquémico transitorio, 31 como ictus favorables y 54 como ictus desfavorables. Cada grupo mostró menor capacidad funcional (p < 0,005) y mayor deterioro neurológico (p < 0,0001) a medida que empeoraba el pronóstico. La media de la PCR en cada grupo fue de 1,7, 1,07 y 3,6 mg/dl, respectivamente (p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: En nuestra muestra existen diferencias significativas en los valores de PCR entre los grupos con mejor y peor pronóstico que se relacionan con el grado de deterioro neurológico, capacidad funcional y extensión radiológica de la lesión principalmente cuando dichos valores medios (desviación estándar) son superiores a 3,6 (0,49) mg/dl

Background and objective: We aimed to assess the prognostic importance of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in-patients. Patients and method: One hundred and seventeen patients within 48 h after index ischemic stroke were included. CRP levels and blood samples were obtained at this time, and a brain computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Neurological and functional disability were evaluated and patients were divided according to the outcome into the following categories: transient ischemic attack, favorable stroke, and non-favorable stroke. Results: 32 in-patients were classified as transient ischemic attack, 31 as favourable stroke, and 54 as non-favorable stroke. There was a worsening in neurological (p < 0.0001) and functional (p < 0.005) disabilities from the TIA group to non-favorable stroke. The CRP mean, by category, was 1.7, 1.07 and 3.6 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We found increased levels of CRP in the non-favorable stroke category, that was related with neurological and functional disabilities, and with radiological findings, mainly when levels were greater than 3.6 (0.49) mg/dl