Abstract Details

Title For Men Only, High Hematocrit Values Are Associated With Stroke In The Young

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P4 - Poster Session 4 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-020

Objective We sought to determine whether hematocrit values increase with altitude in patients with ischemic stroke, and whether stroke in the young was associated with higher hematocrit values or higher altitude.

Background Hematocrit values increase with altitude, but it has not been established that they also increase in the ischemic stroke population. Hematocrit values, a major determinant of blood viscosity, may have an adverse effect in acute stroke.

Design/Methods The study population included all patients admitted to our comprehensive stroke center with ischemic stroke from 1/1/2017 – 6/30/2018. Variables of interest were: first hematocrit value (%), altitude of residence (feet above sea level) determined by zip code, and age. The association between hematocrit with altitude and age was examined with a generalized linear regression model, analyzed for males and females separately due to a significant interaction by sex.

Results

There were 1,785 patients with ischemic stroke, with slightly more males (51%) than females. In males with stroke, there was a significant association between hematocrit and altitude (p=0.01) and hematocrit and age (p < 0.001), where hematocrit values were higher at higher altitudes and with younger age. Mean hematocrit values in males ages ≤ 44, 45-64, 65-84, and ≥85 years were: 43.5%, 43.0%, 41.4%, 39.8%. Mean hematocrit values in males residing at < 3,000, 3-5,000, 5-8,000, and > 8,000 feet were: 40.1%, 41.3%, 42.3%, 44.0%. In females with stroke, there was no association between hematocrit and altitude (p=0.14) or hematocrit and age (p=0.52).

Conclusions In men, elevated hematocrit values were associated with stroke in the young and strokes occurring at higher altitudes. Hematocrit values were consistent in women. Further study is necessary to determine whether high hematocrit values increase the risk of strokes, and thus whether young men living at higher altitudes are at increased risk of developing ischemic stroke, a potentially modifiable risk factor.

Authors/Disclosures
Russell E. Bartt, MD, FAAN (Blue Sky Neurosciences) PRESENTER	Dr. Bartt has nothing to disclose.
Kristin Salottolo, MPH	Ms. Salottolo has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
David Bar-Or	David Bar-Or has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.

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