LEUKOCYTE AGGREGATION IN PATIENTS WITH A PREVIOUS CEREBRAL ISCHEMIC EVENT

Background and Purpose The role of leukocyte aggregation in ischemic s troke is controversial. In this study we investigated this hemorheolog ic alteration in patients at risk for stroke. Methods Leukocyte aggreg ation was evaluated with the leukergy test in 61 patients with a recen t cerebral ischemic event and in 61 control subjects. Results In patie nts leukocyte aggregation was significantly higher than in control sub jects (3.8+/-3.4% versus 2.5+/-2.2%; P=.01). In control subjects, the presence of vascular risk factors was associated with values of aggreg ation similar to those observed in patients. Conclusions These finding s suggest an association between altered leukocyte aggregation and cer ebrovascular disease. Further investigations are needed to evaluate wh ether this hemorheologic alteration can be considered a marker of incr eased risk for stroke.