Red cell deformability is not an independent risk factor in stroke.

Reduced erythrocyte deformability has been implicated in the causation of stroke. We have therefore tested this red cell property by filtration through polycarbonate membranes in 42 patients with either transient ischaemic attacks or completed ischaemic stroke together with age and sex paired controls. We have failed to demonstrate any difference between patients and controls suggesting that reduced red cell deformability is unlikely to be an important independent factor in the production of stroke.