Fibrinogen γ' levels in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Background: The fibrinogen γ' variant (γ') has both antithrombotic and prothrombotic properties when compared to normal fibrinogen. It may therefore be of relevance in intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular extension of the bleeding. Objective: To study the role of γ' in intracerebral hemorrhage, and in intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage. Patients/Methods: We performed a case-control study in 156 controls and 55 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, with and without intraventricular extension. Levels of fibrinogen γ' and the γ'/total fibrinogen ratio were measured in all participants. Results: Levels of γ' were increased in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage when compared with controls (0.40 vs 0.32 g/l, p < 0.001). The γ'/total fibrinogen ratio was similar in patients and controls (0.092 vs 0.096 p = 0.42). There was evidence for an unfavorable outcome in patients with fibrinogen levels in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile (OR 4.0, 95%CI 1.1-15.2), and a nonsignificant trend toward unfavorable outcome with higher levels of γ' (p-value for trend = 0.06). Conclusions: Our study shows that absolute levels of fibrinogen γ' are increased in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, but relative levels are similar in patients and controls, suggesting that the absolute rise in γ' is an acute phase response.

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