International Journal of Medical Laboratory

Backgrounds and Aims: Stroke incidence rate has increased during the past 2 decades. The question of whether calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium levels are associated with stroke has remained controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride within stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: The study participants consisted of 53 cconsecutive stroke patients as well as 53 healthy subjects.The stroke was defined by focal neurological signs. After collection of blood samples, serum levels of calcium, chloride, potassium and sodium concentration were measured by standard laboratory method.

Results: Serum calcium level in the patient group was significantly increased as compared to the control group [11.0±1.3) vs. 9.4±0.7, mg/dl], whereas serum potassium level in the patient group was decreased as compared to the control group [3.5±0.6 vs. 3.9±0.4, mmol/L]. Serum sodium level in the patient group was slightly low as compared to the control group [136.3 ±0.6 vs. 136.7 ±5.5, mmol/L]. Moreover, serum chloride level in the patient group was slightly high as compared to the control group [102.4±7.9 vs. 100.7±6.2, mmol/L].

Conclusions: The study results demonstrated that a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between serum electrolytes or ionic levels and stroke status. Changes in calcium, chloride, potassium and sodium levels during stroke may be a good biochemical marker of diagnosis for this disease. Therefore, these biochemical factors could play a useful role in the stroke. However, further studies are demanded to confirm the validity of study.