Elevated urinary β-hexosaminidase in patients with stroke

Abstract

Urinary β-hexosaminidase is a sensitive indicator of renal damage. The urinary excretion of this enzyme was measured in 31 patients with ischaemic stroke in the acute phase and in 126 patients 21–43 weeks after their stroke. Both immediately and after 21–43 weeks the patients showed a similar and a significantly increased level of urinary β-hexosaminidase. This indicates the presence of renal injury in the stroke patients, which in turn might reflect a generalized vascular disease.

Key Words:

• β-Hexosaminidase
• renal function
• stroke
• urine