LEUKOCYTE AND PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE -A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

We evaluated simultaneously leukocyte and platelet aggregation in 40 u ntreated patients soon after atherothrombotic stroke and in 40 healthy controls matched for age, sex and risk factors. Both leukocyte and pl atelet aggregation were significantly increased in patients relative t o controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). However, whereas leu kocyte aggregation was positive in a significantly higher proportion o f patients with subsequent major neurological deficit compared to thos e with minor deficit (71% vs. 19%; p = 0.04), platelet aggregation was similar in the two patient groups. These data suggest different patte rns of activation of leukocyte and platelet aggregation in patients wi th ischemic stroke. This finding may have pathophysiological and clini cal implications.