Assessing Circulating Factor VIIa–Antithrombin Complexes in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study:

Aim:The goal of this study was to determine the levels of factor VII (FVII), factor VIIa–antithrombin complexes (FVIIa-AT), total tissue factor (TF), and tissue factor-bearing microparticles (MPs-TF) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Further, we sought evidence of an association between hemostatic markers, time of blood sampling, type of treatment, and patient outcomes.Methods:Venous blood samples were collected from 33 patients on the first day and on the seventh day after stroke diagnosis. Age-matched controls were also included (n = 20). Plasma levels of FVII, FVIIa-AT, total TF, and MPs-TF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We divided patients into 2 groups: thrombolysis group (n = 13) and nonthrombolysis group (n = 20). Furthermore, evaluation of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Barthel Index was performed on the first day and the seventh day.Results:Patients with ischemic stroke showed significantly lower plasma FVII, FVIIa-AT, and total TF levels than co...