Elaborated - ‘Georgian index’ of erythrocyte aggregability characterizing the microrheological disorders associated with brain infarct

Since the role of microvascular rheological disorders has been so far insufficiently analysed in development of stroke, we examined in course of acute stage of ischemic brain infarcts the most essential feature of disorders - erythrocyte aggregability with ‘Georgian technique’ assuring direct and quantitative data. In addition, ultrasonic Doppler scanning of cerebral arteries, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and serial cerebral angiography were repeatedly applied. Index of erythrocyte aggregability was found more than twice higher in acute stage of ischemic brain infarcts than in healthy control group. In a significant number of cases infarcts were produced by microcirculatory stases, related to enhanced erythrocyte aggregation. Aggregability index was found to be more sensitive as compared to blood plasma fibrinogen content and blood hematocrit for prediction of dynamics and outcome of acute phase of disease. In addition, aggregability designated extent of the accompanied brain edema. We arrived at conclusion that erythrocyte aggregability is a notable feature characterizing the microvascular hemorheological disorders. It represents an essential risk-factor furthering both development of microcirculatory stases and ischemic brain infarcts. Necessarily, it is to be tested with most perfect techniques providing reliable diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.