Affiliations: [a] Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA | [b] Physiology and Biophysics, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
Note: [] Accepted by: Editor G.V.F. Seaman
Abstract: Intravascular factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia secondary to vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We have evaluated blood and plasma viscosity and red cell aggregation. along with hematocrit and fibrinogen levels. in patients with SAH, Fibrinogen, plasma viscosity. and zeta sedimentation ratio (an index of red cell aggregation) reached their maximum levels during the period of 4 to 7 days following SAH. This is the same time period when clinically-evident cerebral vasospasm is common. Thus, hemorheological factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia following SAH.
