Neurology and the blood: Haematological abnormalities in ischaemic stroke

Abstract

Haematological disorders account for 0%-8% of ischaemic strokes in different series. These include cellular disorders such as polycythaemia rubra vera, essential thrombocythaemia, sickle cell disease, thrombocytopenia, and other disorders. They also include disorders of coagulation, and recently particular interest has centred on protein C and S deficiency and activated protein C resistance. Antiphospholipid antibodies represent an acquired disorder of coagulation. A prothrombotic state induced by more common factors including the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, and the puerperium, and neoplasia also seems to increase stroke risk. Haematological causes of ischaemic stroke were reviewed in this chapter and a protocol for exclusion of such disorders in patients with ischaemic stroke was discussed.