Relationship between levels of serum C-reactive protein, leucocyte count and carotid plaque in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

In order to study the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, leukocyte count and carotid plaque in patients with ischemic stroke, carotid duplex examination was performed by high-definition imaging (HDI) 5000 triplex system. Serum CRP was measured by nephelometry within 72 h after index ischemic stroke. A lesion was considered a plaque in the presence of a maximum intimal-medial wall thickness (IMT) 1.2 mm. Results of carotid ultrasonography were divided into two groups: M1, normal (IMT<1.2 mm) and M2, abnormal (IMT≥1.2 mm). The results showed that the mean age of M2 was significantly older than that of M1 (69.7±10.4 versus 62.5±9.6,P=0.001). The patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus (78%, 35% respectively) in M2 were significantly more than those (52%, 18% respectively) in M1 (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were 32 (65%) patients with elevated CRP levels in M2, but 33 (46%) patients with elevated CRP levels in M1, with the difference being significant between the two groups (P<0.05). The levels of serum glucose and leukocyte count (8.1±5.5, 10.3±4.0, respectively) in abnormal CRP group were significantly higher than that of normal CRP group (6.4±2.8, 8.7±3.4) (P<0.05,P<0.05); elevated CRP levels was found in 42 (62%), patients with territory infarction and 23 (43%) patients with lacunar infarction respectively, with the difference being significant between these two groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that the elevation of CRP levels was an significant clinical index for carotid plaque in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Keywords

C-reactive protein / ischemic stroke / leukocyte / carotid plaque

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