Fibrin clot properties in acute stroke: what differs cerebral hemorrhage from cerebral ischemia?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fibrin clot formation is important in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated plasma fibrin clot characteristics in acute ICH compared with acute ischemic stroke (IS) and nonstroke conditions.

METHODS

In the 3 studied groups, we analyzed plasma fibrin clot phenotype and its association with clinical stroke presentation.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, in patients with acute strokes, fibrin clots presented with lower clot permeability, longer lysis time, and higher maximum clot absorbance (for all, P<0.001). In ICH patients compared with IS patients, only lysis time was shorter by 13% (P<0.001). In the ICH group, neurological deficit correlated significantly (P<0.05) with clot compaction, and the rate of increase in d-dimers released from clots, whereas initial hematoma volume correlated with lag phase of fibrin formation on turbidimetry and compaction (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In both types of acute strokes, fibrin clot properties are altered: denser fibrin clots are relatively resistant to lysis. In acute ICH, fibrin clots are more susceptible to tissue plasminogen activator-mediated lysis compared with in IS, which might affect ICH pathogenesis.