The association between circulating endothelial progenitor cells and outcome in different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke

This study evaluated the relationship between serial changes in circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and outcomes in patients with different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This prospective cohort study evaluated 65 patients with AIS, including 45 with small-vessel and 20 with large-vessel diseases. The circulating level of EPCs (CD133+/CD34+ and KDR+/CD34+ cells) was determined at different time points (within 48h and on Days 7 and 30 post-stroke). For comparison, the EPC levels of 65 age- and sex-matched controls were also evaluated. The levels of CD133+/CD34+ and KDR+/CD34+ EPCs were significantly lower in the AIS group than in the control group (p