Analysis of hematological parameters in patients with ischemic stroke

Background: Hematological parameters are major indicator of ischemic stroke. Hematological parameters and stroke incidence have not been investigated in local population. Objective: The present study was designed to assess whether hematological parameters play an important role in ischemic stroke patients. Methodology: For this purpose a cross-sectional study was done at Services hospital, Lahore from January 2013 to August 2013. A total of 150subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups, control (n=50) and ischemic stroke subjects (n=100). Data regarding risk factors was collected through questionnaire. Their hematological parameters such as WBCs count, RBCs count, haemoglobin concentration, HCT, MCV, MCH and PLT count were assessed by hematology analyzer. Statstical analysis was done by using SPSS (version 13). Result: Mean age of control and ischemic stroke group was 61.40y±1.33 and 63.8y±1.36 respectively with non-significant difference between the groups. Among the ischemic stroke subjects, 73% of the subjects were suffering from hypertension, 53% reported diabetes, 41% had heart disease, 39% had family history of stroke, 32% were smokers and 46% use high cholesterol food. The WBCs count, MCV, MCH and HCT were found significantly higher in ischemic stroke subjects when compared with control group while the significant decrease was observed in RBCs count and hemoglobin concentration. PLT count increased in ischemic stroke subjects as compared to control group. Conclusion: It was concluded that in ischemic stroke patients hematological parmeters were greately altered.