PATIENTS IN ACUTE PHASE OF ISCHEMIC STROKE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER MICROVASCULAR RESPONSE TO THERMAL STIMULI COMPARING TO CONTROL GROUP

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function profile in subjects with acute ischemic stroke. Design and method: There were 18 patients in acute phase of ischemic stroke enrolled to this study. Control group constituted n = 13 demographically-matched subjects hospitalized because of non-neurological diseases. Microvascular endothelial function assessment was performed by laser Doppler (Perimed, Järfälla, Sweden) at the first 24 hours from the onset of stroke and on the seventh day from the start of the research. Measurements of forearm cutaneous blood flow were recorded at baseline and during exposure to temperature 44 °C. Parallel, at baseline blood samples were obtained for complete blood count and basic biochemistry. Results: Study group was characterized by lower mean platelet volume, lower high-density lipoprotein and potassium level, higher plasma glucose concentration. Excluding that both groups were homogenous regarding demographic and biochemical characteristics reflecting cardiovascular risk. It was noted that the microvascular response to thermal stimuli was significantly lower in the study group comparing to the control group. The difference referred to both paretic and nonparetic limb. It persisted statistically important in the second examination after 7 days. There were no significant differences in study group between neither paretic and nonparetic limbs, nor between values observed at an interval of one week. Conclusions: Microvascular dysfunction in reaction to thermal stimuli may reflect nerve or endothelial function impairment. As it is present in both disease-affected and nonparetic limb it is most likely systemic endothelial dysfunction, rather than direct expression of neurological dysfunction.