scholarly journals Acute ischemic stroke thrombi have an outer shell that impairs fibrinolysis

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (18) ◽  
pp. e1686-e1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Di Meglio ◽  
Jean-Philippe Desilles ◽  
Véronique Ollivier ◽  
Mialitiana Solo Nomenjanahary ◽  
Sara Di Meglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Outer Shell ◽  
Ultrastructural Organization ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

ObjectivesThrombi responsible for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are characterized by a low recanalization rate after IV thrombolysis. To test whether AIS thrombi have inherent common features that limit their susceptibility to thrombolysis, we analyzed the composition and ultrastructural organization of AIS thrombi causing LVO.MethodsA total of 199 endovascular thrombectomy-retrieved thrombi were analyzed by immunohistology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and subjected to ex vivo thrombolysis assay. The relationship between thrombus organization and thrombolysis resistance was further investigated in vitro using thrombus produced by recalcification of citrated whole blood.ResultsSEM and immunohistology analyses revealed that, although AIS thrombus composition and organization was highly heterogeneous, AIS thrombi shared a common remarkable structural feature in the form of an outer shell made of densely compacted thrombus components including fibrin, von Willebrand factor, and aggregated platelets. In vitro thrombosis experiments using human blood indicated that platelets were essential to the formation of the thrombus outer shell. Finally, in both AIS and in vitro thrombi, the thrombus outer shell showed a decreased susceptibility to tissue plasminogen activator–mediated thrombolysis as compared to the thrombus inner core.InterpretationIrrespective of their etiology and despite their heterogeneity, intracranial thrombi causing LVO have a core shell structure that influences their susceptibility to thrombolysis.

Significance of Platelet β-Adrenoceptors for Platelet Responses In Vivo and In Vitro

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (06) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
P T Larsson ◽  
N H Wallén ◽  
A Martinsson ◽  
N Egberg ◽  
P Hjemdahl
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Platelet Aggregability ◽  
Adrenoceptor Agonist ◽  
Dose Infusion ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor ◽  
Factor Antigen

SummaryThe significance of platelet β-adrenoceptors for platelet responses to adrenergic stimuli in vivo and in vitro was studied in healthy volunteers. Low dose infusion of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline decreased platelet aggregability in vivo as measured by ex vivo filtragometry. Infusion of adrenaline, a mixed α- and β-adrenoceptor agonist, increased platelet aggregability in vivo markedly, as measured by ex vivo filtragometry and plasma β-thromboglobulin levels. Adrenaline levels were 3–4 nM in venous plasma during infusion. Both adrenaline and high dose isoprenaline elevated plasma von Willebrand factor antigen levels β-Blockade by propranolol did not alter our measures of platelet aggregability at rest or during adrenaline infusions, but inhibited adrenaline-induced increases in vWf:ag. In a model using filtragometry to assess platelet aggregability in whole blood in vitro, propranolol enhanced the proaggregatory actions of 5 nM, but not of 10 nM adrenaline. The present data suggest that β-adrenoceptor stimulation can inhibit platelet function in vivo but that effects of adrenaline at high physiological concentrations are dominated by an α-adrenoceptor mediated proaggregatory action.

Development of an in vitro model of calcified cerebral emboli in acute ischemic stroke for mechanical thrombectomy evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1002-1007
Author(s):  
Sarah Johnson ◽  
Ray McCarthy ◽  
Brian Fahy ◽  
Oana Madalina Mereuta ◽  
Seán Fitzgerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Guide Catheter ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Calcified Tissues

​BackgroundCalcified cerebral emboli (CCEs) are a rare cause of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and are frequently associated with poor outcomes. The presence of dense calcified material enables reliable identification of CCEs using non-contrast CT. However, recanalization rates with the available mechanical thrombectomy (MT) devices remain low.ObjectiveTo recreate a large vessel occlusion involving a CCE using an in vitro silicone model of the intracranial vessels and to demonstrate the feasability of this model to test different endovascular strategies to recanalize an occlusion of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).​MethodsAn in vitro model was developed to evaluate different endovascular treatment approaches using contemporary devices in the M1 segment of the MCA. The in vitro model consisted of a CCE analog placed in a silicone neurovascular model. Development of an appropriate CCE analog was based on characterization of human calcified tissues that represent likely sources of CCEs. Feasibility of the model was demonstrated in a small number of MT devices using four common procedural techniques.​ResultsCCE analogs were developed with similar mechanical behavior to that of ex vivo calcified material. The in vitro model was evaluated with various MT techniques and devices to show feasibility of the model. In this limited evaluation, the most successful retrieval approach was performed with a stent retriever combined with local aspiration through a distal access catheter, and importantly, with flow arrest and dual aspiration using a balloon guide catheter.​ConclusionCharacterization of calcified tissues, which are likely sources of CCEs, has shown that CCEs are considerably stiffer than thrombus. This highlights the need for a different in vitro AIS model for CCEs than those used for thromboemboli. Consequentially, an in vitro AIS model representative of a CCE occlusion in the M1 segment of the MCA has been developed.

Endothelial von Willebrand factor recruits platelets to atherosclerosis-prone sites in response to hypercholesterolemia

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 4486-4493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Theilmeier ◽  
Carine Michiels ◽  
Erik Spaepen ◽  
Ingrid Vreys ◽  
Désiré Collen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Perfusion Studies ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Platelets are thought to play a causal role during atherogenesis. Platelet-endothelial interactions in vivo and their molecular mechanisms under shear are, however, incompletely characterized. Here, an in vivo platelet homing assay was used in hypercholesterolemic rabbits to track platelet adhesion to plaque predilection sites. The role of platelet versus aortic endothelial cell (EC) activation was studied in an ex vivo flow chamber. Pathways of human platelet immobilization were detailed during in vitro perfusion studies. In rabbits, a 0.125% cholesterol diet induced no lesions within 3 months, but fatty streaks were found after 12 months. ECs at segmental arteries of 3- month rabbits expressed more von Willebrand factor (VWF) and recruited 5-fold more platelets than controls (P < .05, n = 5 and 4, respectively). The 3-month ostia had an increased likelihood to recruit platelets compared to control ostia (56% versus 18%, P < .0001, n = 89 and 63, respectively). Ex vivo, the adhesion of 3-month platelets to 3-month aortas was 8.4-fold increased compared to control studies (P < .01, n = 7 and 5, respectively). In vitro, endothelial VWF–platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib and platelet P-selectin– endothelial P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 interactions accounted in combination for 83% of translocation and 90% of adhesion (P < .01, n = 4) of activated human platelets to activated human ECs. Platelet tethering was mainly mediated by platelet GPIbα, whereas platelet GPIIb/IIIa contributed 20% to arrest (P < .05). In conclusion, hypercholesterolemia primes platelets for recruitment via VWF, GPIbα, and P-selectin to lesion-prone sites, before lesions are detectable.

Toxico-Kinetics of Recombinant VWF In Non-Human Primates and Rabbits

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1414-1414
Author(s):  
Eva-Maria Muchitsch ◽  
Barbara Dietrich ◽  
Hanspeter Rottensteiner ◽  
Herbert Gritsch ◽  
Hartmut J. Ehrlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cynomolgus Monkeys ◽  
Toxicological Effect ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Hemostatic Activity ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract Abstract 1414 Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is cleaved by the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13 that regulates the hemostatic activity of VWF by limiting its multimeric size in the human system. We showed previously by in vitro and ex vivo studies that human recombinant VWF (rVWF) is virtually resistant to the proteolytic activity of murine and rat ADAMTS13, whereas ADAMTS13 from rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys is able to cleave human rVWF. Here we tested the pharmacological behavior of human rVWF in rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. The animals were infused once with different doses of human rVWF. VWF antigen rose sharply in a dose-dependent manner (∼25 IU/ml VWF:Ag for the highest dose, 15 min after injection) and then declined gradually (∼7 IU/ml VWF:Ag for the highest dose, 18 hours after injection). By contrast, the ADAMTS13 activity did not show relevant changes throughout the entire test period in the rabbit or in the monkey samples, indicating that an excess of intravenously administered rVWF as the substrate does not exhaust its enzyme ADAMTS13. Most importantly, neither rabbits nor cynomolgus monkeys showed any exaggerated pharmacological or toxic effects upon rVWF administration. Even the administration of 14 daily doses of rVWF to cynomolgus monkeys did not lead to any toxicological effect. Our data indicate that rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys, two species with a sufficient rVWF cleavage capacity by endogenous ADAMTS13, are appropriate animal models for a meaningful preclinical evaluation of the rVWF product, which allows the therapeutic safety margins for human patients to be determined. Disclosures: Muchitsch: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Dietrich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Rottensteiner:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Gritsch:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Ehrlich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Turecek:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schwarz:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.

scholarly journals Ex Vivo Evaluation of the Effect of Plasma-Derived Factor VIII/Von Willebrand Factor in Patients with Severe Hemophilia_A on Prophylaxis with Emicizumab By Thrombin Generation Assay

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4233-4233
Author(s):  
Maria-Isabel Bravo ◽  
Aida Raventós ◽  
Alba Pérez ◽  
Elena G Arias-Salgado ◽  
María Teresa Alvarez Román ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Concomitant Treatment ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Abstract Introduction: Hemophilia A (HA) patients under emicizumab prophylaxis treatment may require the concomitant use of procoagulant factors for breakthrough bleedings or immune tolerance induction. Thromboembolic events have been described with the concomitant use of emicizumab and activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC), but not with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Previous studies showed that the in vitro combination of emicizumab and plasma-derived Factor VIII/Von Willebrand Factor (pdFVIII/VWF) had a non-additive effect on thrombin generation (TG)(Bravo M-I, et al J Thromb Haemost. 2020;18:1934-39). The aim of this study was to evaluate the TG resulting from ex vivo combination of plasma samples from HA patients treated with emicizumab, with a pdFVIII/VWF concentrate (Fanhdi ®, Grifols). Methods: Twelve adult patients with severe HA without inhibitors on prophylaxis with emicizumab and nine healthy controls were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn in citrate plus corn trypsin inhibitor tubes. Then, platelet poor plasma (PPP) was collected for the TG assay, which measures the whole kinetics of TG. Thrombin peak (TP) and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were calculated using calibrated automated thrombogram (Thrombinoscope ™ software, Stago) after in vitro activation of coagulation by trigger solution, PPP Reagent LOW TM (4 μM phospholipids/1 pM tissue factor), fluorogenic substrate and CaCl 2 (FLUKAkit TM) reagents (Diagnostica Stago). Fluorescence was read in a Fluoroskan Ascent reader (Thermo) equipped with a 390/460 filter set. Samples were spiked with increasing concentrations of pdFVIII/VWF (10 to 400 IU/dL), rFVIIa (0.9 µg/mL) or aPCC (0.5 U/mL). Results: TG from healthy control samples was measured to establish TP and ETP normal ranges. TP and ETP results obtained from HA plasma with emicizumab were lower than in healthy controls. The addition of pdFVIII/VWF as of 25 IU/kg (prophylaxis dose in HA w/o inhibitors) to samples from HA patients concomitantly treated with emicizumab restored TP and ETP levels within healthy controls normal range (Table 1). Increasing ex vivo concentrations of pdFVIII/VWF maintained TP and ETP similar to healthy controls. The highest concentration of concomitant treatment with pdFVIII/VWF (200 IU/kg) and emicizumab did not result in excessive TP and, importantly, ETP levels were always within the normal range. The combination with the bypassing agent rFVIIa moderately increased TP and ETP values up to normal range. However, when HA plasma was spiked with aPCC in the presence of emicizumab, TP and ETP dramatically increased above normal range resulting in a synergistic procoagulant profile. Conclusions: The concomitant use of pdFVIII/VWF in patients with prophylaxis with emicizumab did not trigger a multiplying effect on TG. These results were aligned with previous in vitro data and suggested the low risk of overdose and thrombotic events of concomitant treatment emicizumab with the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate in HA patients. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Bravo: Grifols: Current Employment, Other: Grifols is a manufacturer of the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate, Fanhdi®. Raventós: Grifols: Current Employment, Other: Grifols is a manufacturer of the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate, Fanhdi®. Pérez: Grifols: Current Employment, Other: Grifols is a manufacturer of the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate, Fanhdi®. Alvarez Román: Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novo-Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL-Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biomarin: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Butta: CSL-Behring: Research Funding; Roche: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novo-Nordisk: Speakers Bureau. Jiménez-Yuste: Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BioMarin: Consultancy; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Costa: Grifols: Current Employment, Other: Grifols is a manufacturer of the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate, Fanhdi®. Willis: Grifols: Current Employment, Other: Grifols is a manufacturer of the pdFVIII/VWF concentrate, Fanhdi®.

Antithrombotic Effect of a Recombinant von Willebrand Factor, VCL, on Nitrogen Laser-Induced Thrombus Formation in Guinea Pig Mesenteric Arteries

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (02) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Azzam ◽  
L I Garfinkel ◽  
C Bal dit Sollier ◽  
M Cisse Thiam ◽  
L Drouet
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Bleeding Time ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Mesenteric Arteries ◽  
Antithrombotic Effects ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

SummaryTo assess the antithrombotic effectiveness of blocking the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX receptor for von Willebrand factor (vWF), the antiaggregating and antithrombotic effects were studied in guinea pigs using a recombinant fragment of vWF, Leu 504-Lys 728 with a single intrachain disulfide bond linking residues Cys 509-Cys 695. The inhibitory effect of this peptide, named VCL, was tested in vitro on ristocetin- and botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation and compared to the ADP-induced platelet aggregation. In vivo, the antithrombotic effect of VCL was tested in a model of laser-injured mesentery small arteries and correlated to the ex vivo ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. In this model of laser-induced thrombus formation, five mesenteric arteries were studied in each animal, and the number of recurrent thrombi during 15 min, the time to visualization and time to formation of first thrombus were recorded.In vitro, VCL totally abolished ristocetin- and botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation, but had no effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Ex vivo, VCL (0.5 to 2 mg/kg) administered as a bolus i. v. injection inhibits ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation with a duration of action exceeding 1 h. The maximum inhibition was observed 5 min after injection of VCL and was dose related. The same doses of VCL had no significant effect on platelet count and bleeding time. In vivo, VCL (0.5 to 2 mg/kg) had no effect on the appearance of the thrombi formed but produced dose-dependent inhibition of the mean number of recurrent thrombi (the maximal effect was obtained at 5 min following i. v. injection of the highest dose: 0.8 ± 0.2 thrombi versus 4 ± 0.4 thrombi in controls). The three doses of VCL increased the time in which the first thrombus in a concentration-dependent manner was formed. However, the time to visualize the first thrombus was only prolonged in the higher dose-treated group.These in-vivo studies confirm that VCL induces immediate, potent, and transient antithrombotic effects. Most importantly, this inhibition was achieved without inducing thrombocytopenia nor prolongation of the bleeding time.

Thrombus Enhancement Is a Predictor of Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke after Mechanical Thrombectomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 270-278
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kottlors ◽  
Volker Maus ◽  
Anastasios Mpotsaris ◽  
Özgür A. Onur ◽  
Thomas Liebig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Group Testing ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Contrast Enhanced Ct ◽  
Enhanced Ct ◽  
The Mean

Background: Ex vivo computed tomography (CT) studies of artificial blood thrombi showed that contrast enhancement (CE) is determined by fibrin-content, while unenhanced density is associated with red blood cells. Thus, the present study investigates patient outcome in association with combined thrombus density measures in native and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) of acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: This retrospective study includes 137 patients with M1 occlusions treated by mechanical thrombectomy (MT) between 2010 and 2016. Clinical outcome was determined with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Differentiation of complete and incomplete large vessel occlusion (CLVO/ILVO) was based on CT and angiography. Two blinded readers classified blood thrombi based on native non-enhanced CT (NECT) as (a) hypo-, (b) iso-, and (c) hyperdense and in CECT angio measurements as (d) not-enhancing, (e) intermediate and (f) enhancing. To make sure that the mean is not represented in any of the maximum/minimum groups, thresholds in both cases were selected in a way that all values within one SD around the mean value form the isodense/intermediate group. In addition, the CE per se was correlated with the outcome. Correlations between imaging and clinical scales were performed with Spearman’s Rho. For the group testing Pearson chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U, as well parametric and nonparametric one-factor ANOVA “Kruskal-Wallis” test including Bonferroni correction for multiple tests ware used. Results: Twenty-three patients with ILVO (16.8%) differed significantly from patients with CLVO in mRS at admission (median 4 vs. 5) and after 90 days (median 1 vs. 4; p < 0.05) and thus were excluded. In the ILVO cohort, the classification according to NECT did not show statistical difference between hypo-, iso- and hyperdense CLVOs in regard to outcome. Classification of CLVOs according to CECT allowed an outcome prediction between the intermediate (median 3) and enhancing group (median 5) and between the enhancing and non-enhancing group (median 3; both p < 0.05) with a correlation of 291 between CE and higher mRS after 90 days (p < 0.005). Conclusions: CE of thrombi – especially in a range from over 18.4 to 40.35 Hounsfield Units – is an independent predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients undergoing MT due to acute middle cerebral artery occlusion.

scholarly journals The role of diabetes mellitus on the thrombus composition in patients with acute ischemic stroke

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gengfan Ye ◽  
Qun Gao ◽  
Peng Qi ◽  
Junjie Wang ◽  
Shen Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Purpose Diabetes mellitus indicated poor clinical prognosis for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus could also impact the hemostatic system, while its influence on the histological composition of thrombus is unclear. Methods Consecutive patients with retrieved clots were included. Histologic staining for thrombus included hematoxylin and eosin, Martius Scarlet Blue, immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor. The differences in clot composition were compared according to diabetes mellitus history or hyperglycemia (≥7.8 mmol/L) on admission. Results A total of 52 patients were included; half of them were diagnosed as diabetes mellitus previously. Diabetic patients showed higher serum glucose on admission (8.90 vs. 7.40, p = 0.012). The baseline characteristics (expect smoking history and thrombus location), procedural, and clinical outcomes were similar between diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients. As for histologic composition, thrombus in patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus had more fibrin (44.2% vs. 28.3%, p = 0.004) and fewer red blood cells (26.0% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.013) and equivalent content of platelets (24.0% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.694) and von Willebrand factor (0.041 vs. 0.031, p = 0.234) than patients without diabetes mellitus. However, there was no statistical difference in the content of red blood cells (41.6% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.105), fibrin (37.6% vs. 34.3%, p = 0.627), platelets (21.2% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.498), and von Willebrand factor (0.038 vs. 0.034, p = 0.284) between patients with or without hyperglycemia on admission. Conclusion Clots in diabetic patients had more fibrin and fewer erythrocyte components compared with patients without diabetes mellitus, while hyperglycemia on admission did not show association with clot composition. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Abstract WP268: Von Willebrand Factor Expression in Various Subtypes of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana M Mereuta ◽  
Sean Fitzgerald ◽  
Mehdi Abbasi ◽  
Daying Dai ◽  
Ramanathan Kadirvel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Cardioembolic Stroke ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Learning Software ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Introduction: Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a key component of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) thrombi. The aim of our prospective study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of VWF in clots and to evaluate whether VWF is associated with certain subtypes of AIS. Methods: VWF immunostaining was performed on 79 thrombi collected as part of the multi-center Stroke Thromboembolism Registry of Imaging and Pathology (STRIP) registry. The cases were classified according to TOAST criteria. The VWF expression was quantified using Orbit Image Analysis (www.Orbit.bio) machine learning software. IBM SPSS statistics 25 was used to assess the relationship between the VWF levels and different etiology subtypes. Results: A cardioembolic stroke was defined in 39 cases (49.4%) whereas an atherosclerotic origin was identified in 13 patients (16.5%). Other causes accounted for 12 cases (15.1%). Unknown etiology was reported in 15 cases (19%). The mean VWF content in the clots was 12.8%. According to the Mann-Whitney U-test, the level of VWF was significantly higher in the cases with unknown etiology compared to cardioembolic origin (p=0.044). We found also that patients with unknown etiology of stroke had higher VWF expression as compared to the other two subtypes, although this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Among the patients with ischemic stroke included in this study, the VWF expression was significantly increased in those with unknown etiology compared to the group with cardioembolic stroke. Our finding provides new insights into clot composition in cryptogenic stroke and may influence the treatment and secondary prevention in these cases.

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