Effects of enzymatic blood defibrination in subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy. Issue 8 (August 1988)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ringelstein, E B; Mauckner, A; Schneider, R; Sturm, W; Doering, W; Wolf, S; Maurin, N; Willmes, K; Schlenker, M; Brückmann, H
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 51:Issue 8(1988)
• Page Start: 1051
• Page End: 1057
• Publication Date: 1988-08
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.51.8.1051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Plasma hyperviscosity is a striking abnormality in patients suffering from subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (SAE) and is thought to perpetuate the chronic ischaemic demyelinating process of the periventricular white matter. Ancrod, a defibrinating enzyme, was given to 10 patients with SAE in an attempt to reduce plasma fibrinogen, which would thus normalise hyperviscosity. This was paralleled by a significant improvement of the initially abnormal retinal arteriovenous passage time, as well as a significant augmentation of the CO2-induced cerebral vasomotor response. This did not lead, however, to any clinical improvement with respect to performance of neuropsychological tests, recurrences of strokes during a 6 month observation period or improvement of various audiological parameters. The findings indicate that hyperviscosity in patients with SAE is merely an epiphenomenon. A potentially reversible, chronic penumbral state of the brain tissue apparently does not exist in SAE.