The risk of subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhages in blacks as compared with whites

Seizures are common in the acute setting of childhood stroke: a population-based study

In our large population-based cohort, 3.1% of adults had seizures within the first 24 h of acute stroke. The objective of our study was to determine a similar incidence in children and compare by stroke subtype. Stroke cases in children between July 1993 to June 1994 and January 1999 to December 1999 were retrospectively identified and abstracted. We identified 31 strokes during the two study periods, including 17 ischemic strokes, 12 intracerebral hemorrhages, and 2 subarachnoid hemorrhages. Seizures occurred within 24 h of the stroke in 58% (18/31) of children. No significant differences were found in the rate of seizure by stroke subtype. The relative risk (95% confidence interval) for seizure in the acute stroke setting in children versus adults is 18 (13, 26). As compared with adults, seizures within the acute setting of childhood stroke are common with an occurrence rate in our population of 58%.

The effect of the results of the STICH trial on the management of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage in Newcastle

Recently, the Surgical Trial in IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (STICH) was unable to show an overall benefit from 'early surgery' compared with a policy of 'initial conservative treatment'. Here, we evaluated the impact of the STICH results on the management of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. The STICH results were released to the Neurosurgery Department at Newcastle General Hospital in November 2003; using ICD-10 data, we analysed ICH admissions before (2002) and after (2004, 2006, 2007) this. We assessed numbers of Neurosurgery and Stroke Unit admissions, numbers of clot evacuation procedures, and 30-day mortality rate (Neurosurgery vs. Stroke Unit admissions). Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) admissions data were also collected to corroborate our findings. There were 478 spontaneous supratentorial ICH admissions in total; 156 in 2002, 120 in 2004, 106 in 2006 and 96 in 2007. SAH admissions remained remarkably constant over this period. Neurosurgery admissions decreased significantly across the four time periods, from 71% of total ICH admissions (n = 156) in 2002 to 55% (n = 96) in 2007, and Stroke Unit admissions increased significantly from 8% (n = 156) in 2002 to 30% (n = 96) in 2007 (chi(2) = 20.968, p < 0.001, df = 3). Clot evacuation procedures also decreased significantly from 32% (n = 111) of Neurosurgery admissions in 2002 to 17% (n = 53) in 2007 (chi(2) = 11.919, p = 0.008, df = 3). 30-day mortality increased in Neurosurgery from 14% of Neurosurgery admissions (n = 111) in 2002 to 26% (n = 53) in 2007, and decreased in the Stroke Unit, from 42% of Stroke Unit admissions (n = 12) in 2002 to 17% (n = 29) in 2007. The STICH results have significantly impacted ICH management in Newcastle, with a trend towards fewer Neurosurgery admissions and clot evacuations, and increased Stroke Unit admissions. The role of surgery for ICH remains controversial, and randomization continues in STICH II for patients with superficial lobar ICH.

Surgical management and case-fatality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage in 1988 and 2005

OBJECTIVE

To compare surgical management and case-fatality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in 1988 and 2005.

METHODS

We identified all adult residents (age, >or=18 years) from the 5-county Greater Cincinnati region who were hospitalized with ICH in 1988 and 2005. Demographics, severity of illness, ICH volume, ICH location, rates and timing of surgery, and 30-day case-fatality rate were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

In 1988, 171 ICH patients (67 lobar, 80 deep cerebral, 10 brainstem, and 14 cerebellar) met the study criteria; in 2005, 259 ICH patients (91 lobar, 123 deep cerebral, 19 brainstem, and 26 cerebellar) met the study criteria. In 1988, 16% of the patients had surgical removal of their ICH versus 7% in 2005 (P = 0.003). In both 1988 and 2005, patients treated with surgery were younger (P < 0.001) and had a higher percentage of cerebellar hemorrhages than nonsurgical patients. The timing of surgery was similar in 1988 and 2005. In 1988, the 30-day case-fatality rate was 32% in surgical patients versus 50% in nonsurgical patients (P = 0.06). In 2005, the 30-day case-fatality rate was 16% (surgical) versus 45% (nonsurgical) (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of surgery for ICH was lower in 2005 than in 1988, which may reflect the influence of recent clinical trial data showing no benefit for surgery rather than medical management. The ICH case-fatality rate was essentially the same in 1988 and 2005. Innovative clinical trials to improve ICH outcomes are warranted.

The genetics of primary haemorrhagic stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage and ruptured intracranial aneurysms in adults

Background

The genetic basis of haemorrhagic stroke has proved difficult to unravel, partly hampered by the small numbers of subjects in any single study. A meta-analysis of all candidate gene association studies of haemorrhagic stroke (including ruptured subarachnoid haemorrhage and amyloid angiopathy-related haemorrhage) was performed, allowing more reliable estimates of risk.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of all genetic studies in haemorrhagic stroke was conducted. Electronic databases were searched until and including March 2007 for any candidate gene in haemorrhagic stroke. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for each gene disease association using fixed and random effect models.

Results

Our meta-analyses included 6,359 cases and 13,805 controls derived from 55 case-control studies, which included 12 genes (13 polymorphisms). Statistically significant associations with haemorrhagic stroke were identified for those homozygous for the ACE/I allele (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.20–1.83; p = 0.0003) and for the 5G allele in the SERPINE1 4G/5G polymorphism (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03–1.96; p = 0.03). In addition, both &b.epsi;2 and &b.epsi;4 alleles of APOE were significantly associated with lobar haemorrhage (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.26–2.62; p = 0.002 and OR, 1.49; 95% 1.08–2.05; p = 0.01 respectively). Furthermore, a significant protective association against haemorrhagic stroke was found for the factor V Leiden mutation (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10–0.87; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Our data suggests a genetic contribution to some types of haemorrhagic stroke, with no overall responsible single gene but rather supporting a polygenic aetiology . However, the evidence base is smaller compared to ischaemic stroke. Importantly, for several alleles previously found to be associated with protection from ischaemic stroke, there was a trend towards an increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke.

Endothelial dysfunction in African-Americans

The journey of atherosclerosis begins with endothelial dysfunction and culminates into its most fearful destination producing ischemia, myocardial infarction and death. The excess cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in African-Americans is one of the major public health problems. In this review, we discuss vascular endothelial dysfunction as a key element for excess cardiovascular disease burden in this target population. It can be logical window of future atherosclerotic outcomes, and further efforts should be made to detect it at the earliest in African American individuals even if they are appearing healthy as the therapeutic interventions if instituted early, might prevent the subsequent cardiac events.

Genome screen to detect linkage to intracranial aneurysm susceptibility genes: the Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence supports a substantial genetic contribution to the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA). The purpose of this study was to identify chromosomal regions likely to harbor genes that contribute to the risk of IA.

METHODS

Multiplex families having at least 2 individuals with "definite" or "probable" IA were ascertained through an international consortium. First-degree relatives of individuals with IA who were at increased risk of an IA because of a history of hypertension or present smoking were offered cerebral magnetic resonance angiography. A genome screen was completed using the Illumina 6K SNP system, and the resulting data from 192 families, containing 1155 genotyped individuals, were analyzed. Narrow and broad disease definitions were used when testing for linkage using multipoint model-independent methods. Ordered subset analysis was performed to test for a gene x smoking (pack-years) interaction.

RESULTS

The greatest evidence of linkage was found on chromosomes 4 (LOD=2.5; 156 cM), 7 (LOD=1.7; 183 cM), 8 (LOD=1.9; 70 cM), and 12 (LOD=1.6; 102 cM) using the broad disease definition. Using the average pack-years for the affected individuals in each family, the genes on chromosomes 4 (LOD=3.5; P=0.03), 7 (LOD=4.1; P=0.01) and 12 (LOD=3.6; P=0.02) all appear to be modulated by the degree of smoking in the affected members of the family. On chromosome 8, inclusion of smoking as a covariate did not significantly strengthen the linkage evidence, suggesting no interaction between the loci in this region and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

We have detected possible evidence of linkage to 4 chromosomal regions. There is potential evidence for a gene x smoking interaction with 3 of the loci.

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in adults: a literature overview

BACKGROUND

A large number of reports have analysed epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnostics and options for medical and surgical treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage. Nevertheless, management still remains controversial. The purpose of the present review is to summarise the clinical data and derive a current updated management concept as a result.

METHODS

The analysis was based on a Medline search to November 2006 for the term "intracerebral haemorrhage" (ICH). The clinical query functions were optimised for aetiology, diagnosis and therapy to limit the results. A total of 103 articles were found eligible for review.

FINDINGS

Race, age and sex influence the occurrence of ICH. Moreover, hypertension and alcohol consumption are the paramount risk factors. The most frequent pathophysiological mechanism of ICH seems to be a degenerative vessel wall change and, in consequence, rupture of small penetrating arteries and arterioles of 50-200 microm in diameter. The symptomatology depends on the size of ICH, possible rebleeding and the occurrence of hydrocephalus or seizures. The outcome is worse with concomitant occurrence of intraventricular haemorrhage. Treatment with recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) within four hours after the onset of ICH limits the growth of haematoma, reduces mortality and improves functional outcome. Minimally invasive surgery tends to improve functional outcome.

CONCLUSION

A systematic knowledge of currently available data on epidemiology, pathogenesis and symptomatology, the use of diagnostics and the different conservative and surgical treatment options can lead to a balanced management strategy for patients with ICH.

Cell replacement therapy for intracerebral hemorrhage

✓ Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), for which no effective treatment strategy is currently available, constitutes one of the most devastating forms of stroke. As a result, developing therapeutic options for ICH is of great interest to the medical community. The 3 potential therapies that have the most promise are cell replacement therapy, enhancing endogenous repair mechanisms, and utilizing various neuroprotective drugs. Replacement of damaged cells and restoration of function can be accomplished by transplantation of cells derived from different sources, such as embryonic or somatic stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and genetically modified cell lines. Early experimental data showing the benefits of cell transplantation on functional recovery after ICH have been promising. Nevertheless, several studies have focused on another therapeutic avenue, investigating novel ways to activate and direct endogenous repair mechanisms in the central nervous system, through exposure to specific neuronal growth factors or by inactivating inhibitory molecules. Lastly, neuroprotective drugs may offer an additional tool for improving neuronal survival in the perihematomal area. However, a number of scientific issues must be addressed before these experimental techniques can be translated into clinical therapy. In this review, the authors outline the recent advances in the basic science of treatment strategies for ICH.

Long-term neuropsychological and functional outcomes in stroke survivors: current evidence and perspectives for new research

AIMS

To appraise the literature on long-term neuropsychological and functional outcomes in stroke survivors and identify the gaps, challenges and future research in this area.

BACKGROUND

Stroke care resources are scarce, and the number of stroke survivors is likely to increase with the ageing of the population. Thus, evaluating the cost, frequency and prognostic factors of long-terms stroke functional and neuropsychological outcomes is of paramount importance for evidence-based clinical decision making, including the rationale, planning, provision and allocation of health services, and the development of effective interventions. Summary of review Stroke has an enormous physical, emotional and economic impact on the patients, families and society. However, accurate data on frequency, relationship and predictors of various long-term functional (body functioning, activity and participation) outcomes and costs of stroke are scarce, and no accurate and comprehensive data exist on long-term neuropsychological outcomes and their relationships with other functional outcomes poststroke.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of accurate data on the frequency, relationship and predictors of various long-term functional outcomes and costs of stroke. There is a pressing need for good-quality population-based studies for evaluating the frequency and prognostic factors of long-term functional and neuropsychological outcomes of stroke in various populations.

Prognostic significance of third ventricle dilation in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a preliminary clinical study

OBJECTIVE

Although numerous factors have been described that predict outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), very little is know about the role of hemorrhagic dilation of the third ventricle in development of hydrocephalus and prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of hemorrhagic third ventricle dilation after ICH would predict development of hydrocephalus and outcome.

METHODS

We identified the patients with spontaneous ICH treated with external ventricular drainage (EVD) in this retrospective study. Computerized tomography (CT) was performed at admission within 24 hours of onset and retrospectively analysed to determine lesion size and location, status of third and fourth ventricle and frontal horn index (FHI). Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), etiology and demographic data were obtained from medical records. Outcome was determined using modified Rankin score at month 3. Patients with and without third ventricle dilation were compared in terms of hydrocephalus (FHI > 0.38), initial GCS score, age and MAP, and analyses were performed to determine whether third ventricle dilation was a predictor of poor outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 22 patients studied, all had thalamic or basal ganglia hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and all are treated with external ventricular drainage (EVD). Of the 22 patients, 12 had third ventricle dilation (width > or = 10 mm) and ten patients had non-dilated third ventricle (width < 10 mm). Patients with third ventricle dilation had lower GCS scores (7.4 +/- 1.8 versus 9.7 +/- 2.1, p < 0.005) and had higher FHI (0.46 +/- 0.06 versus 0.38 +/- 0.02, p < 0.005) as compared to patients with non-dilated third ventricle. The differences in age (59.5 +/- 9.4 versus 59.2 +/- 11.2) and MAP (128.3 +/- 16.0 versus 130.5 +/- 13.6) of the patients were not significant statistically. Sixty-six percent of patients (8/12) with third ventricle dilation and 60% of patients (6/10) with normal third ventricle were dead 6 months post-operation and mortality rate did not differ significantly.

DISCUSSION

Although the roles of various factors are well described in the prognosis of spontaneous ICH, little is known about the role of third ventricle dilation. Based on our results, we concluded that third ventricle dilation is a poor prognostic factor.

Incidence of seizures in the acute phase of stroke: a population-based study

PURPOSE

The incidence of seizures within 24 h of acute stroke has not been studied extensively. We aimed to establish the incidence of acute poststroke seizures in a biracial cohort and to determine whether acute seizure occurrence differs by race/ethnicity, stroke subtype, and/or stroke localization.

METHODS

We identified all stroke cases between July 1993 and June 1994 and in 1999 within the population of the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan region. Patients with a prior history of seizures/epilepsy were excluded from analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 6044 strokes without a history of seizure(s) were identified; 190 (3.1%) had seizures within the first 24 h of stroke onset. Of ICH/SAH patients, 8.4% had a seizure within the first 24 h of stroke onset (p <or= 0.0001 vs. all other stroke subtype). Of the patients with ischemic stroke, we observed higher incidence of seizures in cardioembolic versus small or large vessel ischemic (p = 0.02) strokes. Patients with seizures experienced higher mortality than patients without seizures (p < 0.001) but seizures were not an independent risk factor of mortality at 30 days after stroke. Independent risk factors for seizure development included hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and prestroke Rankin score of >or=1. Race/ethnicity or localization of the ischemic stroke did not influence the risk for seizure development in the studied population.

DISCUSSION

The overall incidence of acute seizures after stroke was 3.1%, with a higher incidence seen in hemorrhagic stroke, younger patients, and those presenting with higher prestroke Rankin scores. Acute seizures were associated with a higher mortality at 30 days after stroke.

Incidence of Hemorrhagic Stroke in Black Caribbean, Black African, and White Populations

Background and Purpose— Data are lacking on the differences in hemorrhagic stroke incidence between black Caribbean (BC), black African (BA), and white ethnic groups. We estimated the incidence for primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the associated risk factors for BCs, BAs, and whites.

Methods— First-ever stroke patients were drawn from a prospective community stroke register based in a multiethnic population in South London with 9% BCs, 15% BAs, and 63% whites. Incidence rates were standardized to European and world populations and adjusted for age and sex. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) relative to whites were calculated by Poisson regression.

Results— Between 1995 and 2004, 566 incident stroke patients were registered: 395 PICHs and 171 SAHs. For PICH, age- and sex-adjusted IRRs were higher in BAs (IRR, 2.80; 95% CI, 2.00 to 3.91) than in BCs (IRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.99) and were particularly pronounced for patients age 0 to 64 years: IRR=3.95 (95% CI, 2.65 to 5.87) in BAs and 2.38 (95% CI, 1.50 to 3.80) in BCs. For those <65 years, prestroke hypertension was more prevalent in BAs and BCs ( P =0.049). For SAH, the IRR was higher in BCs (IRR; 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.48) than in BAs (IRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.46).

Conclusions— The higher incidence of PICH observed in BCs and BAs could be explained by prestroke hypertension being more common among young blacks. The different incidences of SAH in BCs and BAs suggest that the baseline risk of stroke for distinct black ethnic groups is not homogeneous.

Statin treatment of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the evidence for use of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) for the prevention and management of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

DATA SOURCES

Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE (1966-July 2007) and the Cochrane Database (2007, Issue 2). Search terms included HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and vasospasm. Other data sources were identified from select bibliographies.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All controlled trials evaluating statins for the prevention and management of cerebral vasospasm after aSAH and published in the English language were included for review. Clinical and surrogate markers for cerebral vasospasm and outcomes were assessed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Cerebral vasospasm, which may occur after aSAH, is associated with serious morbidity and significant mortality. Evidence suggests that statins have noteworthy biochemical effects through inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and superoxide production and up-regulation and activation of endothelial nitric oxidase synthase and nitric oxidase production via inhibition of geranylgeranylation of RhoA and Rac1 guanosine triphosphatases. Researchers have proposed that these effects may have a role in preventing or reducing vasospasm after aSAH. One matched control study and 3 placebo-controlled trials (1 with an additional post hoc analysis) have described use of statins for the prevention and management of cerebral vasospasm after aSAH. These data focused on differing primary endpoints; however, reductions in clinical vasospasm and middle cerebral artery transcranial doppler velocity, improved functional outcomes, enhanced autoregulation indices incidence, improvements in duration and time of impaired cerebral autoregulation, and reductions in rescue therapy have been reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Current data suggest that statins may be a reasonable treatment option for the prevention and management of cerebral vasospasm after aSAH. However, results from large, well-controlled trials have not been published.

Advances in vasospasm treatment and prevention

Outcome after aSAH depends on several factors, including the severity of the initial event, perioperative medical management, surgical variables, and the incidence of complications. Cerebral vasospasm (CV) is ure to consistently respond to treatment, emphasizing the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms of SAH-induced cerebrovascular dysfunction. To this end, our paper reviews the relevant literature on the main therapies employed for CV after aSAH and discusses possible avenues for future investigations. Current management of this condition consists of maximal medical therapy, including triple H regimen and oral administration of calcium antagonists, followed by endovascular balloon angioplasty and/or injection of vasodilatory agents for refractory cases. As the precise pathophysiology of CV is further elucidated, the development of promising investigational therapies will follow.

Ethnic differences in risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage

Object

Studies on risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) show heterogeneity. For example, hypertension has been found to be a significant risk factor in some studies but not in others. The authors hypothesized that differences in the ethnicity of the populations studied could account for these findings.

Methods

A metaanalysis was performed using 17 case-control and 10 cohort studies that met specified inclusion criteria. The authors used a random-effect model to calculate the pooled effect estimates for current smoking, hypertension, and alcohol consumption. A meta–regression analysis was performed using the ethnic composition of the study populations as a covariate. Studies were classified as multiethnic or monoethnic, and the pooled effect estimates were compared.

Results

Analysis of the cohort studies yielded a pooled effect estimate or risk ratio of 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.37–4.26) for current smoking, 3.05 (95% CI 2.09–4.44) for hypertension, and 2.46 (95% CI 1.42–4.24) for alcohol consumption at a rate of 150 g/week or more. The results were similar for the case-control studies. For current smoking, the ethnic composition of the study population was a statistically significant predictor of heterogeneity among case-control studies (p < 0.001, even after application of the Bonferroni correction). The risk for SAH among current smokers was higher in multiethnic populations (odds ratio 3.832) than in monoethnic populations (odds ratio 2.487).

Conclusions

The results of this metaanalysis suggest that differences in susceptibility to the harmful health effects of smoking may be one cause of the observed differences in SAH incidence for different ethnic groups. The role of ethnicity in risk factors for SAH should be considered in future studies.

Oxidative stress after subarachnoid hemorrhage in gp91phox knockout mice

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress largely contributes to early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). One of the major sources of reactive oxygen species is NADPH oxidase, upregulated after SAH. We hypothesized that NADPH oxidase-induced oxidative stress plays a major causative role in early brain injury after SAH.

METHODS

Using gp91phox knockout (ko) and wild-type (wt) mice, we studied early brain injury in the endovascular perforation model of SAH. Mortality rate, cerebral edema, oxidative stress, and superoxide production were measured at 24 h after SAH. Neurological evaluation was done at 23 h after SAH surgery.

RESULTS

Genotyping confirmed the existence of a nonfunctional gp91phox gene in the ko mice. CBF measurements did not show differences in SAH-induced acute ischemia between ko and wt mice. SAH caused a significant increase of water content in the ipsilateral hemisphere as well as an increase of Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide production. There were no significant differences in post-SAH mortality rate, brain water content and the intensity of the oxidative stress between knockout and wild type groups of mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that gp91phox is not critically important to the early brain injury after SAH. An adaptive compensatory mechanism for free radical production in knockout mice is discussed.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage: tests of association with apolipoprotein E and elastin genes

Background

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and elastin (ELN) are plausible candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of stroke. We tested for association of variants in APOE and ELN with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a population-based study. We genotyped 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on APOE and 10 SNPs on ELN in a sample of 309 Caucasian individuals, of whom 107 are SAH cases and 202 are age-, race-, and gender-matched controls from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. Associations were tested at genotype, allele, and haplotype levels. A genomic control analysis was performed to check for spurious associations resulting from population substructure.

Results

At the APOE locus, no individual SNP was associated with SAH after correction for multiple comparisons. Haplotype analysis revealed significant association of the major haplotype (Hap1) in APOE with SAH (p = 0.001). The association stemmed from both the 5' promoter and the 3' region of the APOE gene. APOE ε2 and ε 4 were not significantly associated with SAH. No association was observed for ELN at genotype, allele, or haplotype level and our study failed to confirm previous reports of ELN association with aneurysmal SAH.

Conclusion

This study suggests a role of the APOE gene in the etiology of aneurysmal SAH.

Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of intracranial hemorrhage among patients with atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to study racial/ethnic differences in the risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and the effect of warfarin on ICH risk among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

BACKGROUND

Nonwhites are at greater risk for ICH than whites in the general population. Whether this applies to patients with AF and whether warfarin therapy is associated with comparable risk of ICH in nonwhites are unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified a multiethnic stroke-free cohort hospitalized with nonrheumatic AF. Warfarin use and anticoagulation intensity were assessed by searching pharmacy and laboratory records. Crude ICH event rates were calculated by Poisson regression. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the independent effect of race/ethnicity on ICH after adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and warfarin exposure.

RESULTS

Between 1995 and 2000, we identified 18,867 qualifying AF hospitalizations (78.5% white, 8% black, 9.5% Hispanic, and 3.9% Asian) and 173 qualifying ICH events over 3.3 years follow-up. Achieved anticoagulation intensity was lower among blacks but not different between the other groups. Warfarin was associated with increased ICH risk in all races, but the magnitude of risk was greater among nonwhites. There were no gender differences. The hazard ratio for ICH with whites as referent was 4.06 for Asians (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.47 to 6.65), 2.06 for Hispanics (95% CI 1.31 to 3.24), and 2.04 (95% CI 1.25 to 3.35) for blacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonwhites with AF were at greater risk for warfarin-related ICH. Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians were at successively greater ICH risk than whites.

Reducing the risk of ICH enlargement

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) comprises 15% of all strokes, and carries the highest risk of mortality and poor long-term outcome. ICH has long been recognized as the least treatable form of stroke, and hematoma volume as the strongest single predictor of mortality and outcome. CT-based studies have found that early substantial hematoma expansion occurs in 18-38% of patients initially scanned within 3 h of symptom onset. This finding is associated with early neurological deterioration and an increased risk of poor outcome. Ultra-early hemostatic therapy might be beneficial in preventing hematoma growth, resulting in improved mortality and neurological function. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) promotes local hemostasis in the presence or absence of coagulopathy at sites of vascular injury, and is a promising treatment for arresting active bleeding in ICH. The safety and feasibility of this approach was confirmed in a phase IIb randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial of 399 patients with non-coagulopathic ICH. Administration of rFVIIa within 4 h of ICH onset resulted in a significant reduction of hematoma expansion at 24 h, and reduced mortality and improved functional outcome at 90 days. A confirmatory phase III trial (The FAST Trial) to confirm these results will complete enrollment in the end of 2006.

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy--an important cause of cerebral haemorrhage in older people

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an important cause of primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH) in older people, accounting for approximately 10% of all types of PICH. The amount of amyloid deposition in the vessels and vasculopathic changes determine the propensity to PICH. The risk factors of CAA include advanced age and the presence of certain alleles of apolipoprotein E. There are no specific clinical features of CAA-related PICH, although lobar, recurrent or multiple simultaneous haemorrhages in older patients should raise suspicion of its diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis of CAA requires pathological examination of the affected tissue. However, with modern imaging techniques, it is possible to make a diagnosis of 'probable CAA' in patients presenting with PICH. Gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive, non-invasive technique for identifying small haemorrhages in life. Currently, there is no specific treatment available for CAA. Recent advances in the immunopathology and pathogenesis of CAA are expected to help in developing specific anti-amyloid therapy.

Perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in acute intracerebral hemorrhage at baseline and during the 1st and 2nd week: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic penumbra has been suggested as a contributing mechanism to secondary neuronal injury in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Preliminary data suggest the presence of perihematomal hypoperfusion within the first hours after acute ICH. Our objective was to elucidate perfusion changes in the perihematomal region over time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Two perfusion-weighted MRIs were studied prospectively in 18 ICH patients. All patients had an acute perfusion-weighted MRI within 24 h of the onset of symptoms (time 0); 11 patients had a follow-up study on day 7 (time 1), and 7 patients on days 10-14 (time 2). The region of interest (ROI) was placed over the penumbral area, on high-intensity FLAIR and perfusion overlapping map imaging. Clinical data were assessed at baseline (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and on day 90 (Canadian Scale, modified Rankin Scale).

RESULTS

The average hematoma volume was 56 (9-140) ml; 10 were located deeply, and 8 were lobar. When we compared the perfusion changes (mean transit time prolongation) in the perihematomal area (lesion ROI) relative to itself over time, we found significant differences only between times 0 and 2 (p = 0.05). There were also significant differences in mean transit time between the lesion ROI and the contralateral mirror ROI in the baseline study (p = 0.001), with a trend to significance for time 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm the presence of hypoperfusion around an acute ICH and demonstrate that this change disappears completely after the first week. These data suggest that further evaluation of this feature of acute ICH is warranted, as its confirmation may lead to modifications in the current therapeutic approach.

Circulating Nucleic Acids and Critical Illness

This article reviews some of the early work that has been performed to investigate the potential roles of circulating nucleic acids as prediction markers in acute illness and injury. Circulating DNA and RNA concentrations are elevated early in patients with trauma, stroke and ACS, and are generally highest in patients with a high risk of death. Circulating nucleic acids may be useful markers for the evaluation and risk-stratification of such patients.

A review of current and future medical therapies for cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

✓In an effort to help clarify the current state of medical therapy for cerebral vasospasm, the authors reviewed the relevant literature on the established medical therapies used for cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and they discuss burgeoning areas of investigation. Despite advances in the treatment of aneurysmal SAH, cerebral vasospasm remains a common complication and has been correlated with a 1.5- to threefold increase in death during the first 2 weeks after hemorrhage. A number of medical, pharmacological, and surgical therapies are currently in use or being investigated in an attempt to reverse cerebral vasospasm, but only a few have proven to be useful. Although much has been elucidated regarding its pathophysiology, the treatment of cerebral vasospasm remains a dilemma. Although a poor understanding of SAH-induced cerebral vasospasm pathophysiology has, to date, hampered the development of therapeutic interventions, current research efforts promise the eventual production of new medical therapies.

Comparison of plasma beta-globin DNA and S-100 protein concentrations in acute stroke

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare changes in plasma beta-globin DNA and serum S100 protein to diagnose stroke and for predicting mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

Patients with stroke-like symptoms presenting to the emergency department of a Hong Kong hospital were recruited. Plasma DNA was analyzed for the beta-globin gene with fluorescent-based PCR. S100 concentrations were determined using ELISA. Primary outcomes were diagnosis of stroke, mortality, and modified Rankin Score (mRS) after 6 months.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-seven consecutive patients recruited, 118 (60%) ischemic stroke, 35 (18%) hemorrhage and 44 (22%) with no acute neuroimaging changes. Serum S100 and plasma DNA were increased in 126 (p<0.0010) and 36 (p=0.21) stroke patients respectively vs. controls. Median plasma DNA was higher in hemorrhagic stroke than those without (1725 vs. 1050 kilogenome-equivalents/l, p=0.0104). Median plasma DNA was higher in mRS>2 vs. mRS<or=2 (1350 vs. 1025, p=0.0103), and higher in non-survivors vs. survivors (1625 vs. 1050, p=0.0070). Median serum S100 higher in mRS>2 patients vs. mRS<or=2 (0.152 vs. 0.131 microg/l, p=0.0003). The odds ratio (OR) of discriminating hemorrhagic from non-hemorrhagic stroke with DNA was 4.24 (95% CI 1.88-9.56); S100 and DNA together give an OR of 16.55.

CONCLUSION

For stroke diagnosis, S100 performs better than DNA; DNA is a better marker for hemorrhage. For diagnosis of hemorrhagic stroke, combined S100 and DNA performs better than either alone. Plasma DNA and serum S100 predict morbidity and mortality in stroke.

Molecular mechanisms of early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES

Increasing body of experimental and clinical data indicates that early brain injury after initial bleeding largely contributes to unfavorable outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This review presents molecular mechanisms underlying brain injury at its early stages after SAH.

METHODS

PubMed was searched using term 'subarachnoid hemorrhage' and key words referring to molecular and cellular pathomechanisms of SAH-induced early brain injury.

RESULTS

The authors reviewed intracranial phenomena and molecular agents that contribute to the early development of pathological sequelae of SAH in cerebral and vascular tissues, including cerebral ischemia and its interactions with injurious blood components, blood-brain barrier disruption, brain edema and apoptosis.

DISCUSSION

It is believed that detailed knowledge of molecular signaling pathways after SAH will serve to improve therapeutic interventions. The most promising approach is the protection of neurovascular unit including anti-apoptosis therapy.

[Intracerebral hemorrhage related to anticoagulant therapy]

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most serious complication of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The growing use of OAT has resulted in an increase of fatal ICH. The mortality rate is about 65%, and most of the surviving patients remain disabled. While improvements in the treatment of spontaneous ICH have recently been described, there are no internationally accepted guidelines for managing patients with OAT-ICH. Therefore, identifying effective treatments is essential for improving clinical outcome. This article reviews the epidemiology of OAT-ICH, its pathophysiology, and current treatment options and discusses open questions with particular respect to more recent pharmacological therapies.

The genetics of intracranial aneurysms

The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) leads to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a sudden onset disease that can lead to severe disability and death. Several risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and excessive alcohol intake are associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. IAs, ruptured or unruptured, can be treated either surgically via a craniotomy (through an opening in the skull) or endovascularly by placing coils through a catheter in the femoral artery. Even though the etiology of IA formation is mostly unknown, several studies support a certain role of genetic factors. In reports so far, genome-wide linkage studies suggest several susceptibility loci that may contain one or more predisposing genes. Studies of several candidate genes report association with IAs. To date, no single gene has been identified as responsible for IA formation or rupture. The identification of susceptible genes may lead to the understanding of the mechanism of formation and rupture and possibly lead to the development of a pharmacological therapy.

Temporal trends in the incidence and case fatality of stroke in children and adolescents

A recent study reported that mortality from stroke in children and adolescents decreased by 58% from 1979 to 1998, although it wasn't clear if the case fatality or the incidence of stroke in this age group is decreasing. We report trends of stroke incidence and case fatality in children and adolescents within a large biracial population. The study involved collection of all strokes in the study population between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1989, July 1, 1993 and June 30, 1994, and January 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999, at all of the regional hospitals serving the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky population (only the children's hospital in 1988). Study nurses reviewed the medical records of all inpatients with stroke-related discharge diagnoses and abstracted relevant data. A study physician reviewed each abstract to determine whether a stroke or transient ischemic attack had occurred. A total of 54 strokes occurred in children or adolescents younger than 20 years during the three study periods (30% African American, 70% Caucasian, and 56% female). The overall incidence rate of all strokes in children younger than 15 years was 6.4/100,000 in 1999, a nonsignificant increase when compared to 1988. The 30-day case-fatality rates were 18% in 1988-1989, 9% in 1993-1994, and 9% in 1999. We found that the incidence of strokes in children has been stable over the past 10 years. The previously reported nationwide decrease in overall stroke mortality in children might be due to decreasing case fatality after stroke and not decreasing stroke incidence. Based on our data, we conservatively estimated that approximately 3000 children less than 20 years old would have a stroke in the United States in 2004.

Anthropometric evaluation in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke

Strokes are one of the most common causes of mortality and long term severe disability. Risk factors for stroke include: age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and many others.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate obesity and hypertension in patients affected by acute ischemic stroke.

METHOD

We compared the anthropometric variables between type II diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients. We evaluated a total of 60 patients, divided into two groups: 34 non-diabetic patients and a group of 26 type II diabetic subjects.

RESULTS

The predominance of obesity, as well as hypertension, was very high among the studied groups, presenting no differences among the waist-hip ratio (WHR) values of the study group compared to the ones of the control group.

CONCLUSION

The predominance of obesity was very high among the studied groups and there was prevalence the android type obesity. There was no significative difference in the anthropometric evaluation by the measurement of WHR and the waist in the groups.

Magnesium sulfate: role as possible attenuating factor in vasospasm morbidity

BACKGROUND

Among the many complications of SAH, one of the most important is vasospasm. Several treatment alternatives have been proposed for this condition, with far-from-ideal results being obtained. Magnesium sulfate recently returned to the scene (with still unproven benefit) as an adjuvant in the treatment of vasospasm.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients diagnosed with SAH by aneurysm rupture were submitted to microsurgery craniotomy and subdivided in 2 groups. Group 1, formed by 48 patients, received prophylactic hypervolemic and hemodilution therapy in addition to nimodipine. Group 2, composed of 24 patients, received the same treatment of group 1 with the addition of magnesium sulfate in continuous infusion from 120 to 150 mg a day, keeping serum magnesium levels close to double normal values.

RESULTS

Age was 49 +/- 12.6 years. Ratio of female to male was 3.16:1. Most patients were admitted in a Hunt-Hess grade 2 (46.4%) and Fisher grade 3 (52.8%). Anterior communicating artery aneurysms were the most common in location (38.8%). Both groups were compared, and there was no statistical difference related to age, sex, and Glasgow, Fisher, or Hunt-Hess admission grades. No statistical difference in vasospasm incidence was found between the two groups. However, in group 1, vasospasm was correlated with a longer hospitalization time (P = .0003), different from group 2, in which patients with vasospasm receiving magnesium sulfate required less hospitalization time.

CONCLUSION

Magnesium did not seem to interfere in vasospasm frequency but apparently acted favorably in decreasing morbidity and length of hospital stay.

Presentation of intracerebral haemorrhage in a community

BACKGROUND

Studies on intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) from tertiary care centres may not be an accurate representation of the true spectrum of disease presentation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and imaging presentation of ICH in a community devoid of the referral bias of an academic medical centre; and to investigate factors associated with lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score at presentation, as GCS is crucial to early clinical decision making.

METHODS

The study formed part of the BASIC project (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi), a population based stroke surveillance study in a bi-ethnic Texas community. Cases of first non-traumatic ICH were identified from years 2000 to 2003, using active and passive surveillance. Clinical data were collected from medical records by trained abstractors, and all computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed by a study physician. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify clinical and CT predictors of a lower GCS score.

RESULTS

260 cases of non-traumatic ICH were identified. Median ICH volume was 11 ml (interquartile range 3 to 36) with hydrocephalus noted in 45%. Median initial GCS score was 12.5 (7 to 15). Hydrocephalus score (p = 0.0014), ambient cistern effacement (p = 0.0002), ICH volume (p = 0.014), and female sex (p = 0.024) were independently associated with lower GCS score at presentation, adjusting for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

ICH has a wide range of severity at presentation. Hydrocephalus is a potentially reversible cause of a lower GCS score. Since early withdrawal of care decisions are often based on initial GCS, recognition of the important influence of hydrocephalus on GCS is warranted before withdrawal of care decisions are made.

Ethnic disparities in incidence of stroke subtypes: Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study, 2002–2003

BACKGROUND

Limited population-based data exist on differences in the incidence of major pathological stroke types and ischaemic stroke subtypes across ethnic groups. We aimed to provide such data within the large multi-ethnic population of Auckland, New Zealand.

METHODS

All first-ever cases of stroke (n=1423) in a population-based register in 940 000 residents (aged 15 years) in Auckland, New Zealand, for a 12-month period in 2002-2003, were classified into ischaemic stroke, primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH), subarachnoid haemorrhage, and undetermined stroke, according to standard definitions and results of neuroimaging/necropsy (in over 90% of cases). Ischaemic stroke was further classified into five subtypes. Ethnicity was self-identified and grouped as New Zealand (NZ)/European, Maori/Pacific, and Asian/other. Incidence rates were standardised to the WHO world population by the direct method, and differences in rates between ethnic groups expressed as rate ratios (RRs), with NZ/European as the reference group.

FINDINGS

In NZ/European people, ischaemic stroke comprised 73%, PICH 11%, and subarachnoid haemorrhage 6%, but PICH was higher in Maori/Pacific people (17%) and in Asian/other people (22%). Compared with NZ/European people, age-adjusted RRs for PICH were 2.7 (95% CI 1.8-4.0) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.7) among Maori/Pacific and Asian/other people, respectively. The corresponding RR for ischaemic stroke was greater for Maori/Pacific people (1.7 [95% CI 1.4-2.0]), particularly embolic stroke, and for Asian/other people (1.3 [95% CI 1.0-1.7]). The onset of stroke in Maori/Pacific and Asian/other people began at significantly younger ages (62 years and 64 years, respectively) than in NZ/Europeans (75 years; p<0.0001). There were ethnic differences in the risk factor profiles (such as age, sex, hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking status, overweight) for the stroke types and subtypes.

INTERPRETATION

Compared to NZ/Europeans, Maori/Pacific and Asian/other people are at higher risk of ischaemic stroke and PICH, whereas similar rates of subarachnoid haemorrhage were evident across ethnic groups. The ethnic disparities in the rates of stroke types could be due to substantial differences found in risk factor profiles between ethnic groups. This information should be considered when planning prevention and stroke-care services in multi-ethnic communities.

Intracerebral hemorrhage associated with oral anticoagulant therapy: current practices and unresolved questions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage, predominantly intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), is the most serious complication of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), with mortality in excess of 50%. Early intervention focuses on rapid correction of coagulopathy in order to prevent continued bleeding.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

This article reviews the epidemiology of OAT-associated ICH (OAT-ICH), and current treatment options, with the aim of providing a framework for future studies of unresolved questions. A number of acute treatments are available, but all have a significant risk of inducing thrombosis and other side effects, and vary in their rapidity of effect: vitamin K (very slow response time), fresh frozen plasma (slow response time, large volume of fluid required, transfusion-related acute lung injury), prothrombin complex concentrates, and recombinant activated factor VII. Current practice is to administer a combination of vitamin K and either fresh frozen plasma or prothrombin complex concentrates; the occasional use of recombinant activated factor VII has been reported. No prospective study has addressed the efficacy of, or outcomes from, the use of these practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Current management of OAT-ICH is varied and not based on evidence from randomized controlled trials. Well-designed clinical trials are essential if we are to identify the effective acute treatments for OAT-ICH that are urgently needed.

Potential Applicability of Recombinant Factor VIIa for Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— To date, there are no proven, effective treatments for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) beyond supportive medical care. A recent randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) administered intravenously within 4 hours of ICH onset reported a reduction in morbidity and mortality compared with placebo. We sought to determine the potential applicability of rFVIIa in a large, population-based cohort of ICH patients.

Methods— All of the patients age ≥18 years hospitalized with nontraumatic ICH in the Greater Cincinnati region were identified from May 1998 to July 2001 and August 2002 to April 2003. Patient demographics were compared with the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the rFVIIa trial to determine eligibility for treatment and reasons for exclusion. Mortality in the eligible patient group was compared with the placebo group in the rFVIIa trial.

Results— Over 4 calendar years, 1018 ICH patients were identified; of these, 133 (13.1%) had no exclusions and presented within the prescribed time window. An additional 45 patients (4.4%) may have been eligible but had uncertain onset or computed tomography scan times. The most common reasons for exclusion (not mutually exclusive) were late presentation (n=398), vaso-occlusive disease (n=369), deep coma (n=219), and prolonged international normalized ratio or partial thromboplastin time (n=200). Mortality at 90 days among potentially eligible patients was the same as for the placebo group in the rFVIIa trial (29% versus 29%; P =0.99).

Conclusions— In this large, population-based ICH cohort, 13.1% to 17.5% of patients would have qualified for treatment with rFVIIa by trial criteria.

Decompressive craniectomy with clot evacuation in large hemispheric hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Decompressive hemicraniectomy in large hemispheric infarctions has been reported to lower mortality and improve the unfavorable outcomes. Hematoma volume is a powerful predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Hematoma volume adds to intracranial volume and may lead to life-threatening elevation of intracranial pressure.

METHODS

Records of 12 consecutive patients with hypertensive ICH treated with decompressive hemicraniectomy were reviewed. The data collected included Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission and before surgery, ICH volume, ICH score, and a clinical grading scale for ICH that accurately risk-stratifies patients regarding 30-day mortality. Outcome was assessed as immediate mortality and modified Rankin Score (mRS) at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 12 patients with decompressive hemicraniectomy, 11 (92%) survived to discharge; of those 11, 6 (54.5%) had good functional outcome, defined as a mRS of 0 to 3 (mean follow-up: 17.13 months; range: 2-39 months). The mean age was 49.8 years (range: 19-76 years). Three of the 7 patients with pupillary abnormalities made a good recovery; of the 11 patients with intraventricular extensions (IVEs), 7 made a good recovery. The clinical finding (which was present in all 3 patients with mRS equal to 5 and which was not present in patients with mRS less than 5) was abnormal occulocephalic reflex. Of the 10 patients with an ICH score of 3, 9 (90%) survived to discharge, 4 (44%) had good functional outcome (mRS: 1-3). Hematoma volume was 60 cm3 or greater in eight patients, four (50%) of whom had good functional outcome (mRS: 0-3).

CONCLUSION

Decompressive hemicraniectomy with hematoma evacuation is life-saving and improves unfavorable outcomes in a select group of young patients with large right hemispherical ICH.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) occurs from the rupture of small vessels into the brain parenchyma and accounts for approximately 10% of all strokes in the United States, and carries with it a significantly high morbidity and mortality.

SUMMARY

This article reviews the course and management of ICH. The most common chronic vascular diseases that lead to ICH are chronic hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Additional factors that predispose to ICH include vascular malformations, chronic alcohol use, hypocholesterolemia, and use of anticoagulant medications. The understanding of mechanisms leading to ICH has advanced significantly, but questions regarding site predilection and timing of spontaneous hemorrhage still remain. Management in the acute setting is first focused on reducing hematoma expansion. Although no specific therapy has yet been proven effective, promising agents, particularly recombinant Factor VIIa, are on the horizon. Subsequent care is focused on controlling hemostasis, hemodynamics, and intracranial pressure in efforts to minimize secondary brain injury.

CONCLUSION

The morbidity and mortality associated with ICH remain high despite recent advances in our understanding of the clinical course of ICH. Novel preventive and acute treatment therapies are needed and may be on the horizon.

Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage: incidence, risk factors, and outcome

BACKGROUND

Nonaneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (PMSAH) appears to have an etiology and natural history distinct from aneurysm rupture. Referral-based studies suggest that 15% of SAH patients have no discernable cause of bleeding, but the incidence of PMSAH is unknown. We describe the first population-based study of PMSAH and place it in the context of all non-traumatic SAH, with presentation of incidence rates, patient demographics, and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

All patients age >/= 18 hospitalized with first-ever, non-traumatic SAH in the Greater Cincinnati area were identified from 5/98-7/01 and 8/02-4/04. PMSAH was defined as hemorrhage restricted to the cisterns surrounding the brainstem and suprasellar cistern and a negative cerebral angiogram. Incidence rates were age, race, and sex adjusted to the 2000 US population.

RESULTS

There were 431 SAHs identified. Cases in Asian-Americans (2) were excluded, leaving 429 SAHs for analysis. Of these patients, 77 did not have angiograms. Among remaining cases, 285 had aneurysm rupture, 43 had nonaneurysmal hemorrhage not of the PMSAH pattern, and 24 had PMSAH. The overall annual incidence rates for SAH and PMSAH were 8.7 (95% CI 7.9-9.5) and 0.5 (95% CI 0.3-0.7) per 100,000 persons age >/= 18. Patients with PMSAH were younger (p = 0.018) and less likely to be female (p = 0.020) or hypertensive (p = 0.005) than other SAH patients. There was one death among PMSAH patients during 14 months mean follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

PMSAH represents approximately 5% of all SAH. Its risk factors and outcome differ from other forms of SAH.

Epidemiological aspects of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage in Queensland, Australia

AIMS

To examine the epidemiology of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) within the population of Queensland, Australia in 2002.

METHODS

A retrospective population and hospital-based survey of all cases of spontaneous SAH occurring within the population of Queensland (3.7 million) during the calendar year 2002 was performed. Cases were identified from hospital separation coding data and the register of births, deaths and marriages. Standard demographic data was recorded for each case identified.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of SAH in our population was 9.4 cases per 100,000. There was a steady increase in the incidence of SAH with increasing age, with the incidence rising to 38.8 per 100,000 in those aged greater than 80. The overall mortality rate was 33.1%, with 6% of all cases dying before reaching hospital care. The annual incidence in the indigenous population of Queensland was 8.9 /100,000.

The incidence of deep and lobar intracerebral hemorrhage in whites, blacks, and Hispanics

BACKGROUND

Black and Hispanic Americans have a greater risk of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) than whites. Deep ICH is most often associated with hypertension, while lobar ICH is associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The authors conducted a population-based incidence study to directly compare the incidence of deep vs lobar ICH in all three race-ethnic groups.

METHODS

The authors used an active hospital and community surveillance program and autopsy reports to identify incident ICH cases among white, black, and Caribbean Hispanic adults in Northern Manhattan between July 1993 and June 1997. Incidence rates were adjusted for age and sex to the 1990 US Census. CIs for risk ratios (RR) were calculated with Byar's chi2 approximation of the Poisson distribution.

RESULTS

The authors identified 155 cases of ICH for an annual incidence of 30.9/100,000 (26.7 to 35.0). Men had a higher risk of ICH than women (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8), driven entirely by the incidence of deep ICH (RR 1.8) rather than lobar ICH (RR 1.0). Compared with whites, RR for blacks was all ICH 3.8 (2.2 to 8.9), deep 4.8 (2.3 to 21.1), lobar 2.8 (1.2 to 14.4); RR for Hispanics was all 2.6 (1.4 to 6.1), deep 3.7 (1.7 to 16.5), lobar 1.4 (0.4 to 7.4).

CONCLUSIONS

ICH is a heterogeneous disease with deep and lobar subtypes distinguishable on an epidemiologic basis. The different patterns of these two subtypes in our race-ethnically diverse population lend credence to the notion that ICH should no longer be treated as a single entity.

Racial differences in demographics, acute complications, and outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a large patient series

OBJECT

Few studies have focused on the impact of racial differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, acute complications, and outcomes of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study was to examine this issue.

METHODS

The authors evaluated prospectively collected data on 1711 adult patients with aneurysmal SAH who were entered into two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted at neurosurgical centers in North America between 1991 and 1997. Admission characteristics, treatment modalities, in-hospital complications, and 3-month outcomes assessed by application of the Glasgow Outcome Scale were compared using the chi-square test, a t-test, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and multiple logistic regressions based on a significance level of 0.05 in 241 African-American, 1342 Caucasian, and 128 other racial minority patients. Caucasian patients were significantly older than patients of other races (p < 0.0001). African-American patients more frequently had a history of hypertension (p < 0.0001) and an elevated blood pressure at the time of admission (p < 0.0001). African-Americans and other racial minorities were more likely to have internal carotid artery aneurysms and Caucasians were more likely to have posterior circulation aneurysms (p = 0.0002). Rates of in-hospital complications were not significantly different except that pulmonary edema occurred more commonly in Caucasians (p = 0.036). After an adjustment was made for significant admission characteristics, the 3-month outcome was not significantly different among the races.

CONCLUSIONS

Race was not found to be a prognostic factor for outcome after aneurysmal SAH. The higher SAH mortality rate previously observed in African-American patients is likely a result of a higher incidence of SAH in this group. These findings highlight the importance of primary prevention programs aimed at modifying risk factors for SAH.

Endovascular management of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage

Significant advances in neuroendovascular devices and techniques are changing the approach to the management of acute hemorrhagic stroke. Greater numbers of aneurysms can now be treated using a wide array of platinum coils. Intracranial stents and balloon remodeling have made possible the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms. Microcatheters have been developed with better tractability to traverse tortuous vessels and access vascular lesions. With more than an estimated 100,000 patients with aneurysms treated worldwide, coil embolization has an excellent safety profile and level of outcome, with similar or better results compared with surgical clipping in select patient populations. Arteriovenous malformations and fistulae may also benefit from endovascular treatment by embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate or coils. In this article, we describe the endovascular role for the most common causes of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages, with special attention toward ruptured aneurysms and vascular malformations.

Racial variations in location and risk of intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) vary by location. Incidence rates of ICH are known to be higher in American blacks than whites, but how rates may differ by hemorrhage location is unknown. We sought to define incidence rates for different ICH locations in a biracial population.

METHODS

All hospitalized patients age > or =20 years with spontaneous ICH were identified in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area from May 1998 to July 2001 and August 2002 to April 2003. Incidence rates per 100,000 persons were age, sex, and race adjusted as appropriate to the 2000 US population. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated from unadjusted incidence rates.

RESULTS

There were 1038 qualifying ICHs. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 persons > or =20 years of age were 48.9 for blacks and 26.6 for whites. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 blacks in lobar, deep cerebral, brain stem, and cerebellar locations were 15.2, 25.7, 5.1, and 2.9, respectively. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 whites in the same locations were 9.4, 13.0, 1.3, and 2.9. The greatest excess risk of ICH in blacks compared with whites was found among young to middle-aged (35 to 54 years) persons with brain stem (RR, 9.8; 95% CI, 4.2 to 23.0) and deep cerebral (RR, 4.5; 3.0 to 6.8) hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

The excess risk of ICH in American blacks is largely attributable to higher hemorrhage rates in young and middle-aged persons, particularly for deep cerebral and brain stem locations. Hypertension is the predominant risk factor for hemorrhages in these locations.

The Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) study protocol

Background

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) occurs in about 20,000 people per year in the U.S. annually and nearly half of the affected persons are dead within the first 30 days. Survivors of ruptured IAs are often left with substantial disability. Thus, primary prevention of aneurysm formation and rupture is of paramount importance. Prior studies indicate that genetic factors are important in the formation and rupture of IAs. The long-term goal of the Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) Study is to identify genes that underlie the development and rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IA).

Methods/Design

The FIA Study includes 26 clinical centers which have extensive experience in the clinical management and imaging of intracerebral aneurysms. 475 families with affected sib pairs or with multiple affected relatives will be enrolled through retrospective and prospective screening of potential subjects with an IA. After giving informed consent, the proband or their spokesperson invites other family members to participate. Each participant is interviewed using a standardized questionnaire which covers medical history, social history and demographic information. In addition blood is drawn from each participant for DNA isolation and immortalization of lymphocytes. High- risk family members without a previously diagnosed IA undergo magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to identify asymptomatic unruptured aneurysms. A 10 cM genome screen will be performed to identify FIA susceptibility loci. Due to the significant mortality of affected individuals, novel approaches are employed to reconstruct the genotype of critical deceased individuals. These include the intensive recruitment of the spouse and children of deceased, affected individuals.

Discussion

A successful, adequately-powered genetic linkage study of IA is challenging given the very high, early mortality of ruptured IA. Design features in the FIA Study that address this challenge include recruitment at a large number of highly active clinical centers, comprehensive screening and recruitment techniques, non-invasive vascular imaging of high-risk subjects, genome reconstruction of dead affected individuals using marker data from closely related family members, and inclusion of environmental covariates in the statistical analysis.

Risk of rupture associated with intact cerebral aneurysms in the Japanese population: a systematic review of the literature from Japan

Object. Knowing the rate of rupture associated with unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) can help surgeons determine a case management strategy in patients harboring these lesions. According to large-scale cohort studies involving populations in North America and Europe, small unruptured aneurysms carry a very low risk of rupture. In Japan, however, there have been sporadic reports of higher rates of rupture. To identify the rupture risk associated with UCAs in the Japanese population, the authors systematically reviewed retrospective studies of the natural course of these lesions.

Methods. The authors searched Medline and the Japan Medical Abstract Society Index for reports of UCAs in Japan. Two of the authors verified the eligibility of the reports and extracted data independently. Additional information was directly obtained from the authors of the original reports.

Thirteen reports covering a total of 3801 patient-years fulfilled the criteria for our study. Subsequent rupture was documented in 104 patients and the annual rupture rate was 2.7% (95% confidence interval 2.2–3.3%). Large, posterior-circulation, and symptomatic aneurysms were associated with significantly higher rates of rupture (relative risks 6.4, 2.3, and 2.1, respectively). The risk of rupture determined by the authors' review was significantly higher than that reported by investigators from international cohort studies.

Conclusions. Although a selection bias of patients may be the cause of the higher rupture risk, untreated UCAs that have been followed in Japanese institutions have a considerably high rate of rupture. The natural course of UCAs should be carefully estimated in countries not included in the international studies.