Blood markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in cardioembolic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis

<p><b>Context:</b> Various processes including inflammation and endothelial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardioembolic (CE) strokes.</p> <p><b>Objective:</b> To review the evidence and investigate the association between immune-inflammatory biomarkers and CE strokes versus other stroke subtypes.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We systematically reviewed the literature (sources: MEDLINE, web-based register <a href="http://stroke-biomarkers.com" target="_blank">http://stroke-biomarkers.com</a>, reference lists) with quality assessment and meta-analysis of selected articles.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The most consistent association was found between C-reactive protein (CRP) and CE strokes when compared to other stroke subtypes (standardized mean difference 0.223 (0.116, 0.343); <i>p</i> < 0.001)</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings confirm a possible association between selected inflammatory biomarkers and CE stroke.</p

Distribution of baseline variables among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.

<p>Distribution of baseline variables among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.</p

Complications in acute phase among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.

<p>Complications in acute phase among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.</p

Acute-phase variables as predictors of 6-month mortality after stroke.

<p>Cox regression analysis adjusted for demographics, pre-stroke function, baseline diseases and risk factors. Total sample.</p

Resource use and interventions during hospitalisation among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.

<p>Resource use and interventions during hospitalisation among survivors and deceased at 6 months from acute stroke.</p

Acute-phase variables as predictors of 6-month mortality after ischemic stroke.

<p>Cox regression analysis adjusted for demographics, pre-stroke function, baseline diseases and risk factors.</p

Kaplan-Meier survival estimates within 6 months after stroke onset according to acute-phase variables predictive of outcome (total sample).

<p>Kaplan-Meier survival estimates within 6 months after stroke onset according to acute-phase variables predictive of outcome (total sample).</p

Performances of HDR to identify t-PA treatments.

<p>Performances of HDR to identify t-PA treatments.</p

Factors associated with correct coding of acute ischemic strokes in the hospital discharge records.

<p>True-positive events (n = 898) versus false-negative events (n = 268).</p

Acute ischemic stroke patients characteristics (N = 1273).

<p>Acute ischemic stroke patients characteristics (N = 1273).</p