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ALESSANDRA CASUCCIO

Immuno-inflammatory predictors of stroke at follow-up in patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

  • Autori: PINTO, A; TUTTOLOMONDO, A; CASUCCIO, A; DI RAIMONDO, D; DI SCIACCA, R; ARNAO, V; LICATA, G
  • Anno di pubblicazione: 2009
  • Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
  • Parole Chiave: Immuno-inflammatory predictors; predictors of stroke; patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/41244

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation plays an important role in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. CD40 L is a well recognized atherosclerotic inflammatory marker, whereas recent evidence suggests a pro-inflammatory role of Fetuin-A. To analyze the role of an inflammatory marker such as CD40 L and of a candidate pro-inflammatory marker such as Fetuin-A in acute stroke we evaluated their serum levels in subjects with acute ischemic stroke and their possible association with other laboratory and clinical variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 107 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Palermo between November 2006 and January 2008, and 102 hospitalized control patients without a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke in comparison to control subjects without acute ischemic stroke had significantly higher CD40 L levels and Fetuin-A serum levels. No significant differences in plasma CD40 L or Fetuin-A levels among different TOAST groups were detected. At intragroup (intra-TOAST-subtype) correlation analysis, among subjects classified as lacunar, CD40 L plasma levels were positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol and with diabetes, whereas Fetuin-A was significantly (positively) correlated with hypertension and white blood cell count. Among subjects with LAAS subtype, CD40 L levels were positively correlated with triglyceride plasma levels and Fetuin-A, whereas Fetuin-A levels were positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest a pro-inflammatory role of Fetuin-A and CD40 L in acute stroke setting. Whether this role should be construed as direct or as a simple expression of a general inflammatory activation will be up to future studies to clarify.