on May 15, 2003
Published online before print May 15, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000073788.81170.1C
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Submitted on December 25, 2002
From the Departments of Neurology and Preventive Medicine (J.M.N.), Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jhheo{at}yumc.yonsei.ac.kr.
Background and Purpose--Platelet-rich thrombi are resistant to thrombolytics. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may be involved in platelet aggregation and contribute to thrombolysis failure in stroke patients. Methods--Plasma samples from 23 stroke patients who had received thrombolytics and from 47 healthy volunteers were examined for MMP-2 and MMP-9 by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and zymography. Results--The arteries were recanalized in 15 patients but not in the other 8. The MMP-9 plasma level was significantly higher in patients whose arteries were not recanalized. Conclusions--MMP-9 may be associated with the formation of a thrombolytics-resistant thrombus.
Accepted on January 20, 2003
Increase in Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Acute Stroke Patients With Thrombolysis Failure
Ji Hoe Heo MD, PhD*;
Key words: metalloproteinases • stroke, ischemic • thrombolytic therapy