Fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor and Susceptibility Vessel Sign on T2*-Weighted Gradient Echo Imaging

Background: We investigated the relationship between von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrin monomers (FM), fibrinogen baseline levels and the presence of susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: SVS was assessed at admission using T2*-weighted GRE. Plasmatic levels of vWF, FM and fibrinogen were evaluated before the initiation of intravenous thrombolysis. Results: Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study. SVS was noted in 26 patients. Univariate analysis revealed that vWF >160% (p = 0.02) and fibrinogen >4 g/l (p = 0.03) were associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of SVS. Multivariate analysis confirmed that higher levels of vWF or fibrinogen predicted the absence of SVS. Conclusions: The increased activity of vWF may promote a fibrin-platelet recruitment mainly contributing to the absence of (SVS). (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel