Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common among acute stroke patients. We sought to investigate the prevalence, severity and type of SDB in consecutive acute stroke patients. Moreover, we aimed to ...identify independent predictors of SDB in the acute stroke setting and investigate potential associations between SDB and functional outcomes at three months.
We prospectively studied consecutive acute stroke patients, who underwent overnight polysomnography within 72 h from symptom onset. Demographics, clinical and imaging characteristics were documented. Daytime sleepiness preceding the stroke, stroke severity on admission and functional outcome at three months were evaluated using the Epworth-Sleepiness Scale (ESS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS), respectively. SDB was documented using standard polysomnography criteria.
A total of 130 consecutive acute stroke patients were prospectively evaluated 110 with ischemic stroke and 20 with intracerebral hemorrhage, mean age 60.5 ± 10.9 years, 77% men, median NIHSS score on admission: 3 (IQR: 2-17). The rate of SDB detection on polysomnography recordings was 79% (95% CI: 71-86). Three variables were independently associated with the likelihood of SDB detection in multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounders: age (OR per 10-year-increase: 2.318, 95% CI: 1.327-4.391,
= 0.005), male sex (OR: 7.901, 95% CI: 2.349-30.855,
= 0.001) and abnormal ESS-score (OR: 6.064, 95% CI: 1.560-32.283,
= 0.017). Among patients with SDB, congestive heart failure was independently associated with the likelihood of central apnea detection (OR: 18.295, 95% CI: 4.464-19.105,
< 0.001). Among all patients, increasing NIHSS score on admission (OR: 0.817, 95% CI: 0.737-0.891,
< 0.001) and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (OR: 0.979, 95% CI: 0.962-0.996,
= 0.020) emerged as independent predictors of excellent functional outcome at 3 months (mRS-scores 0-1).
The high prevalence and severity of SDB in acute stroke patients and its negative impact on functional outcome indicate the importance of polysomnography implementation in everyday clinical practice of acute stroke work-up and management.
Background: Periodic Limb Movements during Sleep (PLMS) have been described to be frequently present in stroke patients. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of PLMS in acute stroke ...patients and clarify the association between PLMS and coexisting Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). Additionally, we focused on identifying variables that could independently predict the presence of PLMS in patients with acute stroke. The potential impact of PLMS on stroke outcome at three months was investigated as well. Methods: In this study, we performed overnight polysomnography on consecutive stroke patients within 72 h from symptom onset. Data regarding clinical and imaging characteristics were prospectively collected. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Epworth-Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate stroke severity on admission, stroke outcome at three months and history of daytime sleepiness, respectively. We documented PLMS and SDB using standard polysomnography criteria. Results: We prospectively assessed 126 patients with acute stroke 109 with ischemic and 17 with hemorrhagic stroke, mean age 60 ± 11 years, 68% men, median NIHSS score on admission: 3 (IQR: 2–7). The overall rate of PLMS in our cohort was 76%, and the rate of SDB among patients with PLMS was 83%. PLMS detection rates differed significantly (p-value: <0.001) according to SDB, with PLMS prevalence increasing with greater SDB severity. SDB could independently (OR:4.869, 95% CI: 1.884–12.784, p-value: 0.001) predict the presence of PLMS in the acute stroke phase in multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounders. Moreover, baseline stroke severity (NIHSS-score increase in per-1 point: OR: 0.819, 95% CI: 0.737–0.895, p-value < 0.001) and PLMS (OR:0.099, 95% CI: 0.009–0.482, p-value = 0.015) were significantly associated with the likelihood of excellent functional outcome (mRS-scores: 0–1) at 3 months. Conclusion: The common presence of mostly severe PLMS in patients with acute stroke and their negative effect on stroke outcomes point out the necessity for early PLMS detection and treatment.
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a distinct but rare subset of CAA. The greater availability of high resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has currently allowed the ...increasing recognition and diagnosis of this entity, without the risk of a brain biopsy. However, in rare cases with typical clinical characteristics but uncommon neuroimaging findings at presentation, the brain-biopsy is required for an early and reliable diagnosis.
A 71-year-old man with arterial hypertension presented due to 1-week history of headache, vomiting, disorientation and impaired consciousness. Brain MRI revealed multiple acute cortical/subcortical microinfarcts, scarce microbleeds, extensive right parietooccipital and left frontotemporal leptomeningeal enhancement. After an extensive diagnostic work-up, excluding infectious, neoplastic and autoimmune etiologies, the patient underwent brain-biopsy. Histology disclosed amyloid deposition in an arteriolar wall and the patient fulfilled diagnostic criteria for probable CAA-ri with supporting pathology. He received intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by oral tapering with steroids showing clinical and radiological improvement with complete resolution of gadolinium enhancement. Follow-up MRI revealed an increase of cerebral microbleeds and the patient fulfilled CAA-ri neuroimaging criteria.
This case highlights the importance of continuous vigilance from clinical neurologists to detect CAA-ri diagnosis and the diagnostic value of brain-biopsy in CAA-ri patients with atypical neuroimaging presentation, such as acute microinfarcts. The early diagnosis and the prompt treatment initiation can improve the prognosis and the evolution of this rare disorder.
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes (PNS) comprise a diverse group of disorders propagated by immune-mediated effects of malignant tumors on neural tissue.
A single-center longitudinal study was ...performed including consecutive adult patients treated at a tertiary academic hospital between 2015 and 2023 and diagnosed with PNS. PNS were ascertained using the 2004 and the revised 2021 PNS-Care diagnostic criteria.
Thirteen patients who fulfilled the 2004 definite PNS criteria were included. PNS comprise diverse neurological syndromes, with neuromuscular junction disorders (54%) and limbic encephalitis (31%) being predominant. PNS-related antibodies were detected in 85% of cases, including anti-AChR (
= 4), anti-P/Q-VGCC (
= 3), anti-Hu (
= 3), anti-Yo (
= 1), anti-Ma (
= 1), anti-titin (
= 1), anti-IgLON5 (
= 1), and anti-GAD65 (
= 1). Thymoma (31%), small-cell lung cancer (23%), and papillary thyroid carcinoma (18%) were the most frequent tumors. Imaging abnormalities were evident in 33% of cases. Early immunotherapy within 4-weeks from symptom onset was associated with favorable outcomes. At a mean follow-up of 2 ± 1 years, two patients with anti-Hu and anti-Yo antibodies died (18%). Four and three patients fulfilled the 2021 PNS-Care diagnostic criteria for definite and probable PNS, respectively.
This study highlights the clinical heterogeneity of PNS, emphasizing the need for early suspicion and prompt treatment initiation for optimal outcomes.
We describe the clinical presentation, radiological findings, treatment and outcomes of three patients with delayed leukoencephalopathy occurring after endovascular treatment (EVT) for cerebral ...aneurysms-a rare, albeit recurring, complication. The symptoms occurred 6 to 12 months following the EVT of the cerebral aneurysm. Characteristic imaging findings included high-signal changes on T2 images in the white matter without diffusion restriction predominantly at the distribution of the vascular territory of the catheterized arteries, coupled with patchy gadolinium enhancement or low susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) signals within the white-matter lesions. Steroid pulse therapy is the treatment of choice and promptly improves clinical and imaging findings. Tapering or cessation of steroids may result in clinical and imaging relapses; close- and long-term follow-up for patients presenting this complication is warranted.
•In RRMS we detected no benefit from statin treatment as add-on to IFN-β.•Combination of statins with IFN-β was safe and well-tolerated.•Potential beneficial effects in SPMS, CIS and ON warrant ...further evaluation in future RCTs.
To assess whether statins (3‑hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) exert disease-modifying effects in multiple sclerosis (MS).
A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed including randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) on statin use in MS. A random-effects model was applied to calculate pooled estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), when comparing patients treated with statins alone or adjunct to disease modifying treatment (DMT) to non-statin-treated patients.
We identified 7 RCTs including 789 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), all of whom received additional DMT with IFN-β. Single identified RCTs in secondary-progressive MS (SPMS), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and optic neuritis (ON) were not meta-analyzed. In RRMS, add-on statin use was not associated with the risk of clinical relapse (OR=1.30, 95%CI: 0.901.87) or EDSS-progression from baseline, neither appeared related to the risk of new contrast-enhancing or T2 lesions (OR=1.28, 95%CI: 0.364.58), and the risk of whole-brain volume reduction on MRI. Add-on statins to IFN-β were safe and well-tolerated. In SPMS, stand-alone simvastatin led to significantly reduced annualized rate of whole-brain volume reduction. In CIS and ON, statins were associated with reduced risk for new T2 lesions and improved visual recovery, respectively.
We detected no benefit from statin treatment as add-on to IFN-β in RRMS. However, a potential beneficial effect in SPMS, CIS and ON deserves independent confirmation and further evaluation within adequately powered RCTs.
Background and purpose: Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a small vessel disease, resulting from progressive amyloid-β deposition in the media/adventitia of cortical and leptomeningeal ...arterioles. We sought to assess the prevalence of baseline characteristics, clinical and radiological findings, as well as outcomes among patients with CAA, in the largest study to date conducted in Greece. Methods: Sixty-eight patients fulfilling the Boston Criteria v1.5 for probable/possible CAA were enrolled and followed for at least twelve months. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to assess specific neuroimaging markers. Data regarding cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profile and Apolipoprotein-E genotype were collected. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of clinical phenotypes. Cox-proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate associations with the risk of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Results: Focal neurological deficits (75%), cognitive decline (57%), and transient focal neurological episodes (TFNEs; 21%) were the most common clinical manifestations. Hemorrhagic lesions, including lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMBs; 93%), cortical superficial siderosis (cSS; 48%), and lobar ICH (43%) were the most prevalent neuroimaging findings. cSS was independently associated with the likelihood of TFNEs at presentation (OR: 4.504, 95%CI:1.258–19.088), while multiple (>10) lobar CMBs were independently associated with cognitive decline at presentation (OR:5.418, 95%CI:1.316–28.497). cSS emerged as the only risk factor of recurrent ICH (HR:4.238, 95%CI:1.509–11.900) during a median follow-up of 20 months. Conclusions: cSS was independently associated with TFNEs at presentation and ICH recurrence at follow-up, while a higher burden of lobar CMBs with cognitive decline at baseline. These findings highlight the prognostic value of neuroimaging markers, which may influence clinical decision-making.
•Lower Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy compared with Alzheimer Disease and Healthy Controls.•Cortical Superficial Siderosis-extent and lower levels of Aβ42 ...could be prognostic for the severity of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.•Apolipoprotein – E Genotype plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.
Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebral small vessel disease, characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid within the cortical and leptomeningeal blood vessel walls. It has attracted interest concerning new therapeutic perspectives. However, there are scarce data regarding the cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (CSF) and genetic factors in sporadic CAA.
In this narrative review, we investigated the literature regarding the cerebrospinal fluid core biomarkers profile of patients with probable or possible CAA and its subtype, the CAA- related inflammation (CAA-ri), taking into account the clinical and radiological characteristics of the patients. We also analyzed the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype differentiations among the different subtypes of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Our results demonstrate specific CSF patterns of β-amyloid (Aβ42 and Aβ40) and tau-proteins (t-tau and p-tau) which may serve as molecular biomarkers for CAA/ CAA-ri and could prove helpful for novel therapeutic procedures. Specifically, decreased levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in both CAA and CAA-ri, mildly increased concentrations of tau protein in patients with CAA-ri and a strong association between APOE ε4/ε4 genotype and CAA-ri are the main findings.
Occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a common and potential treatable cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS). We sought to prospectively identify independent predictors of atrial fibrillation ...(AF) detection in patients with CS and sinus rhythm on baseline electrocardiogram (ECG), without prior AF history. We had hypothesized that cardiac arrhythmia detection during neurosonology examinations (Carotid Duplex (CDU) and Transcranial Doppler (TCD)) may be associated with higher likelihood of AF detection.
Consecutive CS patients were prospectively evaluated over a six-year period. Demographics, clinical and imaging characteristics of cerebral ischemia were documented. The presence of arrhythmia during spectral waveform analysis of CDU/TCD was recorded. Left atrial enlargement was documented during echocardiography using standard definitions. The outcome event of interest included PAF detection on outpatient 24-h Holter ECG recordings. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.
A total of 373 patients with CS were evaluated (mean age 60 ± 11 years, 67% men, median NIHSS-score 4 points). The rate of PAF detection of any duration on Holter ECG recordings was 11% (95% CI 8%-14%). The following three variables were independently associated with the likelihood of AF detection on 24-h Holter-ECG recordings in both multivariate analyses adjusting for potential confounders: age (OR per 10-year increase: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.19-2.37;
= 0.003), moderate or severe left atrial enlargement (OR: 4.81; 95% CI: 1.77-13.03;
= 0.002) and arrhythmia detection during neurosonology evaluations (OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.47-6.48;
= 0.003).
Our findings underline the potential utility of neurosonology in improving the detection rate of PAF in patients with CS.
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