Hematological disorders stroke

This category includes patients with rare causes of strokes such as nonatherosclero-tic vasculopathies, cerebral venous thrombosis, hypercoagulable states, or hematologic disorders. Two such disorders are discussed below. 

A number of hematological disorders may occasionally cause ischemic stroke and TIA (Tatlisumak and Fisher 1996 Arbors and Besses 1997 Markus and Hambley 1998 Matijevic and Wu 2006) (Box 6.2). 

Tatiisumak T, Fisher M (1996). Hematologic disorders associated with ischemic stroke. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 140 1-11... 

Several hematologic disorders and hemostatic defects increase risk of ischemic stroke. Inherited thrombophilias (such as factor V Leiden protein S, protein C, or antithrombin III deficiency or the prothrombin G20210A mutation) rarely contribute to stroke in adults, but may play a larger role in pediatric stroke. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome consists of venous and arterial occlusive disease in multiple organs, miscarriages, and livedo reticularis [7]. The association between antiphospholipid antibodies and stroke in the absence of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is strongest for young adults. In the Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Stroke substudy of WARSS (WARSS/ APASS), antiphospholipid antibodies were detected in 40.7% of stroke patients, but they had no effect on the risk of stroke recurrence (see Table 2.5) [88]. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has... 

The most prescribed drugs for blood-related disorders are also summarized in Table 1.17. Blood clots can occur in the veins at extremities (especially after a long period of immobility). Those clots can subsequently become lodged in the blood vessels, the atria, the heart valves, and within the lungs, causing embolism and shortness of breath. Under severe conditions, the clots can also obstruct the flow of blood to the brain, leading to a stroke and paralysis. Coumadin (warfarin see chemical structure below) is one of the main hematological compounds that has been widely prescribed to counter these conditions... 

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