OBJECTIVEWe tested the hypothesis that the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with cardioembolic ischemic stroke who are treated with oral anticoagulants (OAs) can be predicted by ...evaluating surrogate markers of hemorrhagic-prone cerebral angiopathies using a baseline MRI.
METHODSPatients were participants in a multicenter and prospective observational study. They were older than 64 years, had a recent cardioembolic ischemic stroke, and were new users of OAs. They underwent a baseline MRI analysis to evaluate microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and cortical superficial siderosis. We collected demographic variables, clinical characteristics, risk scores, and therapeutic data. The primary endpoint was ICH that occurred during follow-up. We performed bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.
RESULTSWe recruited 937 patients (aged 77.6 ± 6.5 years; 47.9% were men). Microbleeds were detected in 207 patients (22.5%), moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities in 419 (45.1%), and superficial siderosis in 28 patients (3%). After a mean follow-up of 23.1 ± 6.8 months, 18 patients (1.9%) experienced an ICH. In multivariable analysis, microbleeds (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval CI 1.1–7, p = 0.034) and moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities (hazard ratio 5.7, 95% CI 1.6–20, p = 0.006) were associated with ICH (C index 0.76, 95% CI 0.66–0.85). Rate of ICH was highest in patients with both microbleed and moderate/severe WMH (3.76 per 100 patient-years, 95% CI 1.62–7.4).
CONCLUSIONPatients taking OAs who have advanced cerebral small vessel disease, evidenced by microbleeds and moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities, had an increased risk of ICH. Our results should help to determine the risk of prescribing OA for a patient with cardioembolic stroke.
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIERNCT02238470.
There are no generally accepted criteria for the etiologic classification of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). For this reason, we have developed a set of etiologic criteria and have applied them to a ...large number of patients to determine their utility.
The H-ATOMIC classification includes 7 etiologic categories: Hypertension, cerebral Amyloid angiopathy, Tumour, Oral anticoagulants, vascular Malformation, Infrequent causes and Cryptogenic. For each category, the etiology is scored with three degrees of certainty: Possible(3), Probable(2) and Definite(1). Our aim was to perform a basic study consisting of neuroimaging, blood tests, and CT-angio when a numerical score (SICH) suggested an underlying structural abnormality. Combinations of >1 etiologic category for an individual patient were acceptable. The criteria were evaluated in a multicenter and prospective study of consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH.
Our study included 439 patients (age 70.8 ± 14.5 years; 61.3% were men). A definite etiology was achieved in 176 (40.1% of the patients: Hypertension 28.2%, cerebral Amyloid angiopathy 0.2%, Tumour 0.2%, Oral anticoagulants 2.2%, vascular Malformation 4.5%, Infrequent causes 4.5%). A total of 7 patients (1.6%) were cryptogenic. In the remaining 58.3% of the patients, ICH was attributable to a single (n = 56, 12.7%) or the combination of ≥2 (n = 200, 45.5%) possible/probable etiologies. The most frequent combinations of etiologies involved possible hypertension with possible CAA (H3A3, n = 38) or with probable CAA (H3A2, n = 29), and probable hypertension with probable OA (H2O2, n = 27). The most frequent category with any degree of certainty was hypertension (H1+2+3 = 80.6%) followed by cerebral amyloid angiopathy (A1+2+3 = 30.9%).
According to our etiologic criteria, only about 40% patients received a definite diagnosis, while in the remaining patients ICH was attributable to a single possible/probable etiology or to more than one possible/probable etiology. The use of these criteria would likely help in the management of patients with ICH.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
The capsular warning syndrome is defined as recurrent transient lacunar syndromes that usually precede a capsular infarction. Several aspects regarding the clinical management are ...controversial. We report the clinical and radiological characteristics of a multicenter series of patients with capsular warning syndrome, as well as their functional outcome during the follow-up.
Aims
We sought to describe the clinico-radiological spectrum of the capsular warning syndrome and to report the functional outcomes and recurrences of these patients during the follow-up.
Methods
We conducted a multicenter study that collected clinical and radiological data from patients with capsular warning syndrome during 2003–2013. Capsular warning syndrome was defined as the succession of three or more motor or sensory-motor lacunar syndromes within a period of 72 h, with complete recovery between them. We recorded the functional outcome (favorable when Rankin scale score ≤2) and recurrences during follow-up.
Results
Our study included 42 patients whose mean age was 66·4 ± 10 years; 71·4% of them were men. The mean number of episodes before a permanent neurological impairment occurred or before a complete recovery of symptoms was 5·1 ± 2·3. Up to 30 patients (71·2%) had an acute infarct visible on the neuroimaging (computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging). The internal capsule was the most frequent infarct location (50%), but other locations were noted. Twelve patients (28·6%) received thrombolysis in the acute phase. A favorable outcome was observed in 39 patients (92·9%). After a mean follow-up of 35 ± 29 months, only one patient suffered a recurrent ischemic stroke.
Conclusions
Capsular warning syndrome preceded an ischemic infarction in 71·2% of patients. In addition to the internal capsule, other locations were noted. The most effective treatment remains unclear. The functional prognosis is favorable in most patients and recurrences are rare.
In patients with severe internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesions (ISOL), impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is predictive of future ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack ...(TIA). Therefore, the evaluation of CVR in ISOL patients may be a means to evaluate the risk for IS/TIA and decide on an intervention. Our aim was (1) to explore the feasibility of concurrent near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS-DOS), diffuse correlation spectroscopy, and transcranial Doppler for CVR assessment in ISOL patients, and (2) to compare macrovascular and microvascular CVR in ISOL patients and explore its potential for IS/TIA risk stratification.
Twenty-seven ISOL patients were recruited. The changes in continuous microvascular and macrovascular hemodynamics upon acetazolamide injection were used to determine CVR.
Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2, by near-infrared spectroscopy), microvascular cerebral blood flow (CBF, by diffuse correlation spectroscopy) and CBF velocity (by transcranial Doppler) showed significant increases upon acetazolamide injection in all subjects (P < .03). Only macrovascular CVR (P = .024) and none of the microvascular measures were significantly dependent on the presence of ISOL. In addition, while CBF was significantly correlated with HbO2, neither of these microvascular measures correlated with macrovascular CBF velocity.
We demonstrated the simultaneous, continuous, and noninvasive evaluation of CVR at both the microvasculature and macrovasculature. We found that macrovascular CVR response depends on the presence of ISOL, whereas the microvascular CVR did not significantly depend on the ISOL presence, possibly due to the role of collaterals other than those of the circle of Willis. The concurrent microvascular and macrovascular CVR measurement in the ISOL patients might improve future IS/TIA risk assessment.
Glycemic variability (GV) represents the amplitude of oscillations in glucose levels over time and is associated with higher mortality in critically ill patients. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of ...GV on acute ischemic stroke (IS) outcomes in humans and explore the impact of two different insulin administration routes on GV in an animal model.
This translational study consists of two studies conducted in parallel: The first study is an observational, multicenter, prospective clinical study in which 340 patients with acute IS will be subcutaneously implanted a sensor to continuously monitor blood glucose levels for 96 h. The second study is a basic experimental study using an animal model (rats) with permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and induced hyperglycemia (through an intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin). The animal study will include the following 6 groups (10 animals per group): sham; hyperglycemia without IS; IS without hyperglycemia; IS and hyperglycemia without treatment; IS and hyperglycemia and intravenous insulin; and IS and hyperglycemia and subcutaneous insulin. The endpoint for the first study is mortality at 3 months, while the endpoints for the animal model study are GV, functional recovery and biomarkers.
The GLIAS-III study will be the first translational approach analyzing the prognostic influence of GV, evaluated by the use of subcutaneous glucose monitors, in acute stroke. Trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04001049).
Objectives
The levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in ischemic stroke have not been studied extensively and reported results are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the time ...course, the prognostic relevance, and the variables associated with EPC counts in patients with ischemic stroke at different time points.
Material and methods
We studied prospectively 146 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke within the first 48 h from the onset of symptoms (baseline). We evaluated demographic data, classical vascular risk factors, treatment with thrombolysis and statins, stroke etiology, National Institute of Health and Stroke Scale score and outcome (favorable when Rankin scale score 0–2). Blood samples were collected at baseline, at day 7 after stroke (n = 121) and at 3 months (n = 92). The EPC were measured by flow cytometry.
Results
We included 146 patients with a mean age of 70.8 ± 12.2 years. The circulating EPC levels were higher on day 7 than at baseline or at 3 months (P = 0.045). Pretreatment with statins (odds ratio OR 3.11, P = 0.008) and stroke etiology (P = 0.032) were predictive of EPC counts in the baseline sample. EPC counts were not associated with stroke severity or functional outcome in all the patients. However, using multivariate analyses, a better functional outcome was found in patients with higher EPC counts in large‐artery atherosclerosis and small‐vessel disease etiologic subtypes.
Conclusions
After acute ischemic stroke, circulating EPC counts peaked at day 7. Pretreatment with statins increased the levels of EPC. In patients with large‐artery atherosclerosis and small‐vessel disease subtypes, higher counts were related to better outcome at 3 months.
After acute ischemic stroke, circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) counts peaked at day 7. Pretreatment with statins increased the levels of EPC. In patients with large‐artery atherosclerosis and small‐vessel disease subtypes, higher counts were related to better outcome at 3 months.
Atraumatic convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) in elderly patients is a rare entity that has been associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and intracerebral hematomas (ICH). To ...characterize this entity and to study these associations, 22 patients over 60 with cSAH were included in a multicenter ambispective cohort study. Clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, APOE genotyping, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were evaluated. Results were compared with data from healthy controls (HC), non-cSAH CAA patients (CAAo), and Alzheimer disease patients. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage presented with transient sensory or motor symptoms. At follow-up (median 30.7 months), 5 patients had died, 6 survivors showed functional disability (modified Rankins Scale (mRS) > 2), and 12 cognitive impairment. Four patients had prior ICH and six had an ICH during follow-up. CSF-Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels were lower in cSAH and CAAo compared with HC. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage presented an APOE-ε2 overrepresentation and CAAo had an APOE-ε4 overrepresentation. On MRI, all patients fulfilled CAA-modified Boston criteria and 9 showed cortical ischemia in the surrounding cortex or the vicinity of superficial siderosis. The neuropathologic study, available in one patient, showed severe CAA and advanced Alzheimer-type pathology. Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the elderly is associated with cognitive impairment and lobar ICH occurrence. Our findings support the existence of an underlying CAA pathology.
Introduction
We aimed to determine whether the degree of collateral circulation is associated with blood pressure at admission in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment ...and to determine its prognostic value.
Methods
We evaluated patients with anterior large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular treatment in a single-center prospective registry. We collected clinical and radiological data. Automated and validated software (Brainomix Ltd., Oxford, UK) was used to generate the collateral score (CS) from the baseline single-phase CT angiography: 0, filling of ≤10% of the occluded MCA territory; 1, 11–50%; 2, 51–90%; 3, >90%. When dichotomized, we considered that CS was good (CS = 2–3), or poor (CS = 0–1). We performed bivariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis to predict CS categories in our population. The secondary outcome was to determine the influence of automated CS on functional outcome at 3 months. We defined favorable functional outcomes as mRS 0–2 at 3 months.
Results
We included 101 patients with a mean age of 72.1 ± 13.1 years and 57 (56.4%) of them were women. We classified patients into 4 groups according to the CS: 7 patients (6.9%) as CS = 0, 15 (14.9%) as CS = 1, 43 (42.6%) as CS = 2 and 36 (35.6%) as CS = 3. Admission systolic blood pressure aOR per 10 mmHg increase 0.79 (95% CI 0.68–0.92) and higher baseline NIHSS aOR 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84–0.96) were associated with a worse CS. The OR of improving 1 point on the 3-month mRS was 1.63 (95% CI, 1.10–2.44) favoring a better CS (
p
= 0.016).
Conclusion
In acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular treatment, admission systolic blood pressure was inversely associated with the automated scoring of CS on baseline CT angiography. Moreover, a good CS was associated with a favorable outcome.
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have suggested a greater ischemic tolerance in posterior circulation as compared to anterior cerebral circulation. We aimed to investigate whether a differential response ...exists between anterior and posterior circulation strokes. Two hundred and four middle cerebral artery (MCA) patients and 28 basilar artery occlusion (BAO) patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator were included. Transcranial Doppler assessed recanalization at different time points. Patients were divided in three groups: total time of ischemia (TTI) <6, 6‐24, or >24 hours. We calculated the percentage of recovery (admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale NIHSS– discharge NIHSS/admission NIHSS) × 100. Mean time to treatment was longer in BAO patients (P= .031). Early recanalization was more frequent among MCA occlusions (41% vs 29%; P= .039); the rate of persisting occlusion at 24 hours was similar (P= .933). Clinical recovery according to TTI was similar in each group: <6 hours: BAO 84%/MCA 69%; 6‐24 hours: BAO 63%/MCA 61%; >24 hours: BAO −44%/MCA 11% (P= .23). For each hour of ischemia MCA patients worsened 1.78% (P= .035) and BAO 1.76% (P= .421). MCA occlusions compared to BAO were independently associated with hemorrhagic transformation (OR: 8.2; P= .043). Our data do not support the theory of increased ischemic tolerance in posterior circulation. Despite longer time‐to‐treatment, BAO were more resistant to hemorrhagic transformations.
We evaluated the hypothesis that the number of circulating EPC could be associated with the risk of stroke recurrence (SR) or vascular events (VE) after an ischemic stroke.
We studied prospectively ...consecutive patients with cerebral infarction within the first 48 hours after the onset. We recorded demographic factors, vascular risk factors, previous Rankin scale (RS) score, and etiology. We analyzed EPC counts by flow cytometry in blood collected at day 7 and defined EPC as CD34+/CD133+/KDR+ cells. Mean follow-up was 29.3 ± 16 months. We evaluated SR as well as VE. Patients were classified as to the presence or absence of EPC in the circulation (either EPC+ or EPC-). Bivariate analyses, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression models were used.
We included 121 patients (mean age 70.1±12.6 years; 65% were men). The percentage of EPC+ patients was 47.1%. SR occurred in 12 (9.9%) and VE in 18 (14.9%) patients. SR was associated significantly with a worse prior RS score, previous stroke and etiology, but not with EPC count. VE were associated significantly with EPC-, worse prior RS score, previous stroke, high age, peripheral artery disease and etiology. Cox regression model showed that EPC- (HR 7.07, p=0.003), age (HR 1.08, p=0.004) and a worse prior RS score (HR 5.8, p=0.004) were associated significantly with an increased risk of VE.
The absence of circulating EPC is not associated with the risk of stroke recurrence, but is associated with an increased risk of future vascular events.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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