Abnormal Changes in Some Haemostatic Parameters in First-ever Stroke Patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A Preliminary Findings

Background and Purpose: Cellular component and clotting factors are involved in thrombotic events such as stroke, but the type and nature of alteration of those haemostatic parameters remain unclear. Our objective was to identify possible abnormal changes in some haemostatic parameters in established stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Standard operating procedures were adopted to assay fibrinogen, antithrombin, tissue plasminogen activator, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time as well as the determination of platelet count and platelet indices. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0 software.

Results: A total of 108 individuals comprised of 54 stroke patients aged between 45 and 73 years (mean, 59± 13.04 years), 20 (37.04%) men and 34 (62.96%) women and another 54 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were studied. Significantly (p<0.05) higher mean values of mean platelet volume (MPPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), Platelet larger cell ratio (PLCR), antithrombin, tissue plasminogen activator and fibrinogen were observed in the stroke patients when compared to those of the control subjects. Whereas, significantly lower (p<0.05) mean values of platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were observed in the stroke patients than in those of the control subjects.

Conclusion: Several haemostatic parameters were found to be altered in stroke patients and have the potential to be risk factors but have not been demonstrated as being causative. Further work is needed to establish where they begin to contribute to stroke prognosis.