Background: There is increasing evidence that inflammation and hypercoagulability play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute ischaemic stroke. We evaluate in this prospective study the significance of C reactive protein(CRP) and plasma fibrinogen measured within 24 hours of stroke onset as a predictors of in hospital mortality in 1st ever ischaemic stroke patients and their correlations with stroke severity. Methods: a total of 70 patients with 1st ever ischaemic stroke were included in the study. CRP and plasma fibrinogen was measured within 24 hours of stroke onset. Stroke severity was assessed by modified national institute of health stroke scale (mNIHSS) on admission and brain Computerized tomography (CT) scan was done for all patients within 48 hours of hospitalization. The patients were followed daily during the period of hospitalization. The end point was all causes of in hospital death or discharge from hospital. Results: CRP and plasma fibrinogen were positively correlated with stroke severity (spearman correlation coefficient = 0.688 and 0.582 respectively). CRP and plasma fibrinogen were significantly associated with in hospital mortality after adjustment of sex, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Conclusion: CRP and plasma fibrinogen levels can predict independently the risk of in hospital death in 1st ever ischaemic stroke patients emphasizing the role of inflammation and coagulation in the evolution of ischaemic stroke. CRP and plasma fibrinogen correlate with stroke severity.
Keywords: C reactive protein, plasma fibrinogen, ischaemic stroke
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