ANTITHROMBIN, PROTEIN-C AND PROTEIN-S LEVELS IN 127 CONSECUTIVE YOUNG-ADULTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Objectives - The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of an tithrombin, protein C and protein S deficiencies in consecutive ischem ic stroke patients under 45. Material and methods - We studied 127 con secutive patients with a mean age of 34.4 years admitted for an ischem ic stroke, over a 2-year period, after exclusion of those with arteria l dissection. Antithrombin, protein C and protein S levels were measur ed in all patients at the acute stage of the ischemic stroke and measu rements were repeated in case of abnormality. Results - We found abnor mal levels in 9 patients. Seven had an acquired cause of deficiency (p regnancy, oestrogen, acute inflammation). Two had no obvious acquired cause of deficiency but further controls were normal. Conclusions - He reditary deficiencies of coagulation inhibitors are rare in ischemic s troke patients under 45 and their systematic detection seems to be of poor interest.