Von Willebrand Factor Regulation in Patients with Acute and Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease: A Pilot, Case-Control Study

Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119588
  • Background and Purpose In animal models, von Willebrand factor (VWF) is involved in thrombus formation and propagation of ischemic stroke. However, the pathophysiological relevance of this molecule in humans, and its potential use as a biomarker for the risk and severity of ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study had two aims: to identify predictors of altered VWF levels and to examine whether VWF levels differ between acute cerebrovascular events and chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD). Methods A case–control study wasBackground and Purpose In animal models, von Willebrand factor (VWF) is involved in thrombus formation and propagation of ischemic stroke. However, the pathophysiological relevance of this molecule in humans, and its potential use as a biomarker for the risk and severity of ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study had two aims: to identify predictors of altered VWF levels and to examine whether VWF levels differ between acute cerebrovascular events and chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD). Methods A case–control study was undertaken between 2010 and 2013 at our University clinic. In total, 116 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transitory ischemic attack (TIA), 117 patients with CCD, and 104 healthy volunteers (HV) were included. Blood was taken at days 0, 1, and 3 in patients with AIS or TIA, and once in CCD patients and HV. VWF serum levels were measured and correlated with demographic and clinical parameters by multivariate linear regression and ANOVA. Results Patients with CCD (158±46%) had significantly higher VWF levels than HV (113±36%, P<0.001), but lower levels than AIS/TIA patients (200±95%, P<0.001). Age, sex, and stroke severity influenced VWF levels (P<0.05). Conclusions VWF levels differed across disease subtypes and patient characteristics. Our study confirms increased VWF levels as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and, moreover, suggests that it may represent a potential biomarker for stroke severity, warranting further investigation.show moreshow less

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Author: Peter Kraft, Christiane Drechsler, Ignaz Gunreben, Bernhard Nieswandt, Guido Stoll, Peter Ulrich Heuschmann, Christoph Kleinschnitz
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119588
Document Type:Journal article
Faculties:Medizinische Fakultät / Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik
Medizinische Fakultät / Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I
Fakultät für Biologie / Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum
Medizinische Fakultät / Institut für Klinische Epidemiologie und Biometrie
Language:English
Parent Title (English):PLoS ONE
ISSN:1932-6203
Year of Completion:2014
Volume:9
Issue:6
Pagenumber:e99851
Source:PLoS ONE 9(6): e99851. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099851
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0099851
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 612 Humanphysiologie
Tag:biomarkers; blood; cerebrovascular diseases; demography; ischemic stroke; platelets; sex addiction; stroke
Release Date:2015/11/09
Licence (German):License LogoCC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung