Plasma betathromboglobulin and serum fragment E in acute partial stroke.

Plasma betathromboglobulin (BTG) and serum fragment E (FgE) were measured serially by radioimmunoassay for 7 d in 67 patients admitted with acute partial stroke. Twelve patients progressed within 7 d of admission. Plasma BTG was not different from normal in patients with acute partial stroke and did not increase significantly with stroke progression. Serum FgE was elevated in patients with acute partial stroke compared with normal values, and was significantly higher in patients who progressed compared with those who remained stable. The results indicate that fibrin formation may be more important in the process of stroke progression than activation of platelets.