Protein C 결핍과 허혈성 뇌졸중의 연관성

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of protein C deficiecy in ischemic stroke patients. We studied 101 consecutive patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The control group consisted of 73 patients with nonvascular neurologic diseases (peripheral polyneuropathy, lumbar disc disease, Parkinson s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease). Blood samplings were performed at the acute stage of the ischemic stroke between 4 hours and 5 days after the onset of symptoms in all patients. We found abnormally depressed levels of protein C in 7 patients out of 101 patients with ischemic stroke. Four patients had a possible cause of protein C deficiency such as liver cirrhosis (n=2), anticoagulant therapy (n=l), and autoimmune disease (n-1). Among 3 patients with unknown cause of protein C deficiencym, however, 2 patients had long-standing atrial fibrillation or hypertension considered to be a cause of stroke. Therefore, only 1 patient had a protein C deficiency as a possible cause of stroke. Our results suggest that congenital deficiency of protein C does not seem to be associated with acute ischemic stroke.