4-Hydroxyl-2-Nonenal Localized Expression Pattern in Retrieved Clots is Associated with Large Artery Atherosclerosis in Stroke Patients.

Abstract Objectives The relationship between stroke etiology and clot pathology remains controversial. Materials and Methods We performed histological analysis of clots retrieved from 52 acute ischemic stroke patients using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (CD42b and oxidative/hypoxic stress markers). The correlations between clot composition and the stroke etiological group (i.e., cardioembolic, cryptogenic, or large artery atherosclerosis) were assessed. Results Of the 52 clots analyzed, there were no significant differences in histopathologic composition (e.g., white blood cells, red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets) between the 3 etiological groups (P = .92). By contrast, all large artery atherosclerosis clots showed a localized pattern with the oxidative stress marker 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (P Conclusions A localized pattern of 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal staining may be a novel and effective marker for large artery atherosclerosis (sensitivity 100%, specificity 82%).