Elevation of Blood Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Level in Patients With Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) accounts for 0.5% of cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). A prothrombotic state can be demonstrated in 34% of the affected patients, while 22% of them had a genetic prothrombotic tendency. The main action of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) is to regulate the fibrinolytic system. PAI-1 deficiency is associated with abnormal bleeding. Methods: A total of 20 patients were confirmed to have CVT with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR venography, and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. Results: PAI levels were studied in 20 patients who sustained a CVT attack and 26 healthy controls. PAI-1 levels were compared between patients with acute and chronic CVT as well. The mean PAI-1 levels in the healthy controls and patient group were 13.32 (4.58 - 47.72) and 40.66 (8.75 - 146.88), respectively. There was a significant difference between both groups with respect to PAI-1 level, with the patient group having a higher PAI-1 level. No significant differences in blood PAI-1 levels were found between acute and chronic CVT. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that PAI-1 level is a significant risk factor for acute and chronic CVT. In future, reducing PAI-1 levels may determine the treatment approach in CVT patients. J Neurol Res. 2018;8(1-2):4-9 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr472w