PREVALENCE OF HIGH IGM ANTICARDIOLIPINS IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Lupus anticoagulant (LA), IgG and IgM isotypes of anticardiolipins (aC L), lipoprotein (a), and the resistance to activated protein C were de termined in patients with ischemic stroke. The raised concentration of the aCL-IgM isotype was noted in 42% of patients with this type of st roke, and it was in contrast with an 8% frequency of an increased leve l of aCL-IgG isotype in these cases. The high level of lipoprotein (a) was found with similar frequency in stroke patients and in age-matche d control subjects. It is concluded that the elevated concentration of IgM isotype of anticardiolipin antibodies can be regarded as signific ant in the ethiological work-up in elderly stroke patients. (C) 1998 L ippincott-Raven Publishers.