Association between plasma soluble P-selectin elements and progressive ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between plasma-soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) elements and progressive ischemic stroke (PIS) and to explore the pathogenesis of PIS. Patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted and hospitalized in the Department of Neurology between August 2010 and August 2011 were used as subjects in this study. The enrolled patients were divided into progressive (58 cases) and non-progressive groups (143 cases), based on changes in disease conditions. The normal control group included 40 cases. The sP-selectin levels and related risk factors of the three groups of patients were compared. sP-selectin levels in the progressive group showed the highest values on day 1 after progression and gradually decreased on days 3, 7 and 14. sP-selectin levels in the progressive and non-progressive groups on day 1 were higher compared with those in the control group (P<0.05) and the levels in the progressive group were higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P<0.05). On days 3 and 7, levels in the progressive group were higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P<0.05) and on day 14, levels in the progressive group remained higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P>0.05). On days 1, 3 and 7, sP-selectin levels in the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group were higher compared with those in the aortic atherosclerosis non-progressive group (P<0.05), however on day 14, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). P-selectin levels had the most significant impact on the progressive group and the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group. P-selectin levels were high in patients with PIS and even higher in the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group and were closely correlated with the onset time of PIS.