We measured plasma biomarker levels at baseline and 48 hours in consecutive AIS subjects. White matter hyperintensity volume (WMHv) was quantified on admission magnetic resonance imaging using a validated semiautomated protocol, and Spearman correlation coefficients were derived for all measured biomarkers.
We enrolled 405 AIS subjects (mean age 70 ± 15 years; 58% male; median WMHv 3.4 cm3, interquartile range 1.4-9.5). WMHv and age were strongly correlated (蟻 = .57, P < .0001). WMHv and MMP-2 levels were correlated at baseline (蟻 = .23, P < .0001) and at 48 hours poststroke (蟻 = .19, P = .002). In multivariate analysis, 48-hour MMP-2 levels were independently associated with WMHv (尾 = .12, P = .04). MMP-9 and F2-isioprostane levels did not correlate with WMHv.
In AIS patients, MMP-2 levels are associated with the pre-existing burden of WMH. If validated, these findings may further elucidate the role of MMP-2 in pathophysiology of chronic cerebrovascular injury, such as WMH, and in brain susceptibility to acute ischemia.