Changes of plasma level of fibrinogen in patients with acute cerebral infarction after batroxobin treatment

Objective To observe the changes of plasma level of fibrinogen in patients with acute cerebral infarction after batroxobin treatment. Methods 100 patients with an acute anterior circulation territory infarction within 24 hours of ictus were included in this trial, and were randomly assigned to receive batroxobin (batroxobin group, n = 50) or placebo (control group, n = 50). Brain CT scans were administered to exclude intracranial hemorrhages. Plasma levels of fibrinogen were measured, and the side effects and the score of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale were recorded in 100 patients before and 3, 5, and 7 days after treatment. Results Plasma levels of fibrinogen were not different between the two groups before the treatment, but those in batroxobin group at 3, 5, and 7 days after treatment were significantly lower than those in control group (1.89 ± 1.23 vs. 3.72 ± 1.05, 1.49 ± 0.92 vs. 3.69 ± 1.03, 2.66 ± 1.25 vs. 3.90 ± 1.26, P 0.000 5). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were observed in the two groups. The incidence of extracranial hemorrhages in batroxobin group was higher than that in control group (22.0% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.021). Mortality (4.0% vs. 2.0%, P = 1.00) and the score of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was not different between the two groups. Conclusion The batroxobin showed a confirmative effect on degrading plasma level of fibrinogen in patients with an acute anterior circulation territory infarction.