Microvesicles in ischemic stroke

Peripheral blood microvesicles in patients with ischemic stroke are being profoundly investigated. Most works indicate an increase in the level of circulating microvesicles during different periods of stroke. The available data suggest that the level of microvesicles is a potential biomarker of the atherothrombotic subtype of ischemic stroke. Stroke severity, brain lesion volume, and outcome correlate with the level of microvesicles in peripheral blood. In the long term, the detection of microvesicles will help identify patients at high risk of stroke. Further work should determine the diagnostic and prognostic role of different microvesicle phenotypes in relation to stroke outcomes. Microvesicles should be also evaluated as targets for the treatment and prevention of stroke.