The haemorheological features of lacunar strokes.

Clinical and haemorheological data were recorded in 40 patients with lacunar strokes confirmed clinically and by computed tomography. The following haemorheological variables were monitored: haematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte deformability, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen concentration and yield shear stress. Clinically, most patients had case histories and features according to the description of Fisher. All haemorheological parameters with the exception of the haematocrit were pathological when compared with values obtained from a normal control group. In descending order of frequency the pathological changes were in erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity and erythrocyte deformability.