Publication:

Albumin impact on clinical practice and complications of ischemic stroke in patients with stroke

Background Cerebrovascular disease is the third common leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease in the United States. Also cerebrovascular disease is the most common neurological disease which can lead to complications or mortality. The incidence of ischemic stroke increases with age, and almost two thirds of cases occur in people over 65 years. Albumin as a blood thinner to reduce blood viscosity and sufficient vasodilation in response to low oxygen increases blood flow in ischemic and normal brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the Albumin impact on clinical practice and complications of ischemic stroke in patients with stroke.

Methods This is a randomized clinical study that has been done on 100 patients with ischemic stroke included 54 male and 46 female referred to Alavi hospital in Ardabil. Patients with inclusion criteria randomly divided in two similar sample size groups. For case group we prescribed albumin 20% and for control group normal-saline. NIHSS questionnaire completed for each patient based on their interview and medical documents in hospital according the specialist doctor idea. Collected data analysed by statistical methods in SPSS.19.

Results From all patients, 41% have HTN, 30% Diabetes, 32% ischemic stroke type cortical in branch MCA and 14% in brain stem. The highest risk factor for stroke was in people with high blood pressure. The mean of NIHSS in the end of third month after intervention in the patients with cortical ischemia in albumin group with 24.8±5.1 was lower than placebo group with 31.3±3 and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012).

Conclusions Results showed that in cortical ischemic stroke there was a significant relationship between receiving albumin and decreasing NISHH score. But there was no significant relationship between receiving albumin and decreasing NISHH score in Lacunar and brain stem stroke.