Antithrombotic drugs for carotid artery dissection

Treatment and Outcomes of Cervical Artery Dissection in Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke, particularly in young adults. Data conflict on the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of patients with suspected cervical artery dissection, leading to variability in practice. We aim to provide an overview of cervical artery dissection in the setting of minor or no reported mechanical trigger with a focus on summarizing the available evidence and providing suggestions on the diagnostic evaluation, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Writing group members drafted their sections using a literature search focused on publications between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2022, and included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies, meta-analyses, opinion papers, case series, and case reports. The writing group chair and vice chair compiled the manuscript and obtained writing group members' approval. Cervical artery dissection occurs as a result of the interplay among risk factors, minor trauma, anatomic and congenital abnormalities, and genetic predisposition. The diagnosis can be challenging both clinically and radiologically. In patients with acute ischemic stroke attributable to cervical artery dissection, acute treatment strategies such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are reasonable in otherwise eligible patients. We suggest that the antithrombotic therapy choice be individualized and continued for at least 3 to 6 months. The risk of recurrent dissection is low, and preventive measures may be considered early after the diagnosis and continued in high-risk patients. Ongoing longitudinal and population-based observational studies are needed to close the present gaps on preferred antithrombotic regimens considering clinical and radiographic prognosticators of cervical artery dissection.

Antiplatelets Versus Anticoagulation in Cervical Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 2064 Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In young people aged < 50 years, cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is among the most common causes of stroke. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the safest and most effective antithrombotic treatment for CeAD. We aimed to synthesize concrete evidence from studies that compared the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet (AP) versus anticoagulant (AC) therapies for CeAD.

METHODS

We searched major electronic databases/search engines from inception till September 2021. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anticoagulants with antiplatelets for CeAD were included. A meta-analysis was conducted using articles that were obtained and found to be relevant. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for continuous data and odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 15 studies involving 2064 patients, 909 (44%) of whom received antiplatelets and 1155 (56%) received anticoagulants. Our analysis showed a non-significant difference in terms of the 3-month mortality (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.03-7.58), > 3-month mortality (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.40-6.56), recurrent stroke (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.46-2.02), recurrent transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.44-1.98), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.12-1.19), and complete recanalization (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46-1.06). Regarding primary ischaemic stroke, the results favoured AC over AP among RCTs (OR 6.97, 95% CI 1.25-38.83).

CONCLUSION

Our study did not show a considerable difference between the two groups, as all outcomes showed non-significant differences between them, except for primary ischaemic stroke (RCTs) and complete recanalization (observational studies), which showed a significant favour of AC over AP. Even though primary ischaemic stroke is an important outcome, several crucial points that could affect these results should be paid attention to. These include the incomplete adjustment for the confounding effect of AP-AC doses, frequencies, administration compliance, and others. We recommend more well-designed studies to assess if unnecessary anticoagulation can be avoided in CeAD.

Antiplatelets or anticoagulants? Secondary prevention in cervical artery dissection: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Extracranial artery dissection involving either internal carotid artery or vertebral artery is a major cause of stroke in adults under 50 years of age. There is no conclusive evidence whether antiplatelets or anticoagulants are better suited in the treatment of extracranial artery dissection.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether antiplatelets or anticoagulants have advantage over the other in the treatment of extracranial artery dissection for secondary prevention of recurrent ischemic events or death.

METHODS

Present meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Database search was done in Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to May 2021 using pre-defined search strategy. Additional studies were identified from reference lists from included studies, reviews and previous meta-analyses. Outcome measures were ischaemic stroke, ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and death.

RESULTS

Two RCTs and 64 observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. While the outcome measures of stroke, stroke or TIA and death were numerically higher with antiplatelet use, there were no statistically significant differences between antiplatelets and anticoagulants.

CONCLUSION

We found no significant difference between antiplatelet and anticoagulation treatment after extracranial artery dissection. The choice of treatment should be tailored to individual cases.

Antiplatelet vs. Anticoagulation in Cervical Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: The optimal management for cervical artery dissection (CAD) is uncertain. This study aimed to summarize the current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies for CAD. Methods: A literature search was conducted in the major databases, such as MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Only the RCTs comparing the antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies for the patients with CAD were included. Combined estimates of the relative risk (RR) of antiplatelet vs. anticoagulation were analyzed. Heterogeneity was measured using the I 2 statistical analysis. The analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) population, respectively. Results: Two RCTs involving 444 patients in the ITT population and 370 patients in the PP population were included. The quality of studies was high overall. In the ITT population, compared with the patients in the anticoagulation group, the patients in the antiplatelet group showed a higher rate of ischemic stroke within 3 months (RR = 6.73 [95% CI, 1.22-37.15], I 2 = 0%, P = 0.029). No difference between these two treatment groups was found for the outcomes of transient ischemic attack (RR = 0.37 [95% CI, 0.09-1.58], I 2 = 0%, P = 0.181), intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 0.33 [95% CI, 0.01-7.98], I 2 = 0%, P = 0.494), major extracranial bleeding (RR = 0.31 [95% CI, 0.01-7.60], I 2 = 0%, P = 0.476), or the composite of these outcomes within 3 months. For the PP population, the results of the meta-analysis of outcomes between the antiplatelet and anticoagulation groups were consistent with the ITT population. Conclusions: Compared with the antiplatelet group, the anticoagulation group has a lower risk of ischemic stroke without increasing bleeding risk when treating CAD. Anticoagulation seems to be superior over the antiplatelet in treating CAD but needs to be further tested by specifying several issues, such as location, initial symptom types, and treatment protocols.

Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is rare, yet it is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Historically, some senior clinicians favored anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke due to CAD. Choosing the optimal antithrombotic treatment with either antiplatelet (AP) or anticoagulant (AC) medications remains a challenge. This paper will review the clinical features and imaging of CAD, and the acute treatment and prevention of stroke due to CAD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Until 2015, there were no prospective randomized trials in the optimal antithrombotic management of CAD. The Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study (CADISS) trial found that treatment with AC did not lower the risk of subsequent stroke or death at 3 months when compared to AP agents. This led to a paradigm shift in national guidelines. In 2021, The Biomarkers and Antithrombotic Treatment in of Cervical Artery Dissection (TREAT-CAD) trial however did not confirm the non-inferiority of AP therapy in stroke prevention due to CAD. The optimal antithrombotic management for stroke prevention in CAD remains uncertain, while the superiority of anticoagulation has not been established, nor has the non-inferiority of AP agents. The future direction of research should consider early preventative treatment, dual treatment with AP agents, direct oral AC medications, and aggregation of data from existing randomized trials.

Anticoagulants for acute ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the third leading cause of early death worldwide. Most ischaemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. Patient outcomes might be improved if they are offered anticoagulants that reduce their risk of developing new blood clots and do not increase the risk of bleeding. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 1995, with updates in 2004, 2008, and 2015.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of early anticoagulation (within the first 14 days of onset) for people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke. Our hypotheses were that, compared with a policy of avoiding their use, early anticoagulation would be associated with: • reduced risk of death or dependence in activities of daily living a few months after stroke onset; • reduced risk of early recurrent ischaemic stroke; • increased risk of symptomatic intracranial and extracranial haemorrhage; and • reduced risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (August 2021); the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2021, Issue 7), in the Cochrane Library (searched 5 August 2021); MEDLINE (2014 to 5 August 2021); and Embase (2014 to 5 August 2021). In addition, we searched ongoing trials registries and reference lists of relevant papers. For previous versions of this review, we searched the register of the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) Collaboration, consulted MedStrategy (1995), and contacted relevant drug companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing early anticoagulant therapy (started within two weeks of stroke onset) with control in people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted data. We assessed the overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome using RoB1 and GRADE methods.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 28 trials involving 24,025 participants. Quality of the trials varied considerably. We considered some studies to be at unclear or high risk of selection, performance, detection, attrition, or reporting bias. Anticoagulants tested were standard unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, heparinoids, oral anticoagulants, and thrombin inhibitors. Over 90% of the evidence is related to effects of anticoagulant therapy initiated within the first 48 hours of onset. No evidence suggests that early anticoagulation reduced the odds of death or dependence at the end of follow-up (odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 to 1.03; 12 RCTs, 22,428 participants; high-certainty evidence). Similarly, we found no evidence suggesting that anticoagulant therapy started within the first 14 days of stroke onset reduced the odds of death from all causes (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.09; 22 RCTs, 22,602 participants; low-certainty evidence) during the treatment period. Although early anticoagulant therapy was associated with fewer recurrent ischaemic strokes (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.88; 12 RCTs, 21,665 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), it was also associated with an increase in symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.90 to 3.21; 20 RCTs, 23,221 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Similarly, early anticoagulation reduced the frequency of symptomatic pulmonary emboli (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.81; 14 RCTs, 22,544 participants; high-certainty evidence), but this benefit was offset by an increase in extracranial haemorrhage (OR 2.99, 95% CI 2.24 to 3.99; 18 RCTs, 22,255 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Since the last version of this review, four new relevant studies have been published, and conclusions remain consistent. People who have early anticoagulant therapy after acute ischaemic stroke do not demonstrate any net short- or long-term benefit. Treatment with anticoagulants reduced recurrent stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism but increased bleeding risk. Data do not support the routine use of any of the currently available anticoagulants for acute ischaemic stroke.

Presentation of cerebral and cervical arterial dissections in Botucatu, Brazil: case series

Spontaneous dissection of the cervical and cerebral arteries is an important cause of stroke and disability in young patients. In this report, the authors present a case series of patients with spontaneous carotid, vertebral, or cerebral artery dissection who underwent digital angiography. A review of the published literature on this subject is also presented.

ESO guideline for the management of extracranial and intracranial artery dissection

The aim of the present European Stroke Organisation guideline is to provide clinically useful evidence-based recommendations on the management of extracranial artery dissection (EAD) and intracranial artery dissection (IAD). EAD and IAD represent leading causes of stroke in the young, but are uncommon in the general population, thus making it challenging to conduct clinical trials and large observational studies. The guidelines were prepared following the Standard Operational Procedure for European Stroke Organisation guidelines and according to GRADE methodology. Our four recommendations result from a thorough analysis of the literature comprising two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anticoagulants to antiplatelets in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and twenty-six comparative observational studies. In EAD patients with acute ischemic stroke, we recommend using intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase within 4.5 hours of onset if standard inclusion/exclusion criteria are met, and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. We further recommend early endovascular or surgical intervention for IAD patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Based on evidence from two phase 2 RCTs that have shown no difference between the benefits and risks of anticoagulants versus antiplatelets in the acute phase of symptomatic EAD, we strongly recommend that clinicians can prescribe either option. In post-acute EAD patients with residual stenosis or dissecting aneurysms and in symptomatic IAD patients with an intracranial dissecting aneurysm and isolated headache, there is insufficient data to provide a recommendation on the benefits and risks of endovascular/surgical treatment. Finally, nine expert consensus statements, adopted by 8 to 11 of the 11 experts involved, propose guidance for clinicians when the quality of evidence was too low to provide recommendations. Some of these pertain to the management of IAD (use of IVT, endovascular treatment, and antiplatelets versus anticoagulation in IAD with ischemic stroke and use of endovascular or surgical interventions for IAD with headache only). Other expert consensus statements address the use of direct anticoagulants and dual antiplatelet therapy in EAD-related cerebral ischemia, endovascular treatment of the EAD/IAD lesion, and multidisciplinary assessment of the best therapeutic approaches in specific situations.

Systematic review of the effectiveness of carotid surgery and endovascular carotid stenting versus best medical treatment in managing symptomatic acute carotid artery dissection

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) with an intramural haematoma can lead to stroke risk, especially in young patients. We performed comprehensive searches of the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register, the CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE to review the effectiveness of surgical and endovascular interventions versus best medical treatment alone for symptomatic CeAD. Furthermore, we aim to elaborate on the phenotypic individual disease manifestations of spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissection (sCAD) and how they translate into stroke and risk of dissection recurrence. Primary outcomes were ipsilateral stroke and disability. Secondary outcomes were death, any stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, residual stenosis >50%, recurrence of CeAD, expanding pseudo-aneurysm or major bleeding. Our search yielded no randomised controlled trials and/or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing either carotid surgery or endovascular therapy with optimal medical management; thus there was no evidence to support the use of any specific method for management of extracranial CeAD in patients who fail antithrombotic therapy. However, despite the absence of controlled studies to compare surgery or endovascular therapy in patients who fail antithrombotic therapy, carotid surgery in young patients can be justified as a personalized precision approach given the high morbidity and mortality in this age group.

Surgical and radiological interventions for treating symptomatic extracranial cervical artery dissection

BACKGROUND

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a pathological bleed or tear, or both, in the wall of the carotid or vertebral arteries as they course through the neck, and is a leading cause of stroke in young people.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of surgical and radiological interventions versus best medical treatment alone for treating symptomatic cervical artery dissection.

SEARCH METHODS

We performed comprehensive searches of the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched March 2020), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), 2020, Issue 4, in the Cochrane Library (searched March 2020), MEDLINE (1946 to March 2020) and Embase (1974 to March 2020). We searched relevant ongoing trials and research registers (searched March 2020), checked references in all relevant papers for additional eligible studies, and contacted authors and researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of either surgical or endovascular intervention for the management of symptomatic CeAD were eligible for inclusion. Only studies with anticoagulants or antiplatelet treatment as the control group were included. Two review authors planned to independently extract data.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Primary outcomes were ipsilateral stroke and disability. Secondary outcomes were death, any stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, residual stenosis (> 50%), recurrence of cervical dissection, expanding pseudoaneurysm, or major bleeding. We analysed the studies according to the first choice of treatment. We planned to assess for risk of bias and apply GRADE criteria for any included studies.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not find any completed RCTs or CCTs undertaken in this area of research.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No RCTs or CCTs compared either surgery or endovascular therapy with control. Thus, there is no available evidence to support their use for the treatment of extracranial cervical artery dissection in addition to antithrombotic therapy in people who continue to have neurological symptoms when treated with antithrombotic therapy alone.

Endovascular Treatment of Stroke Caused by Carotid Artery Dissection

Ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) is a devastating condition. Most LVOs are embolic in nature. Arterial dissection is responsible for only a small proportion of LVOs, is specific in nature and poses some challenges in treatment. We describe 3 cases where patients with stroke caused by carotid artery dissection were treated with mechanical thrombectomy and extensive stenting with good outcome. We believe that mechanical thrombectomy and stenting is a treatment of choice in these cases.

Biomarkers and antithrombotic treatment in cervical artery dissection - Design of the TREAT-CAD randomised trial

Introduction

The type of antithrombotic treatment in cervical artery dissection patients is still a matter of debate. Most physicians prefer anticoagulants over antiplatelet agents for stroke prevention. However, this approach is not evidence-based and antiplatelets might be as safe and as effective. The 'Biomarkers and Antithrombotic Treatment in Cervical Artery Dissection' ('TREAT-CAD') trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02046460) compares Aspirin to oral anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonists) with regard to efficacy and safety by using both clinical and imaging surrogate outcome measures. TREAT-CAD tests the hypothesis, that aspirin is as safe and effective as vitamin K antagonists.

Patients and methods

TREAD-CAD is a Prospective, Randomised controlled, Open-labelled, multicentre, non-inferiority trial with Blinded assessment of outcome Events (PROBE-design). Key eligibility criteria are (i) clinical symptoms attributable to cervical artery dissection and (ii) verification of the cervical artery dissection diagnosis by established magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Patients are randomised to receive either Aspirin 300 mg daily or vitamin K antagonists for 90 days.

Results

Primary outcomes are assessed at 14 ± 10 days (magnetic resonance imaging and clinical examination) and at 90 ± 30 days (clinical examinations). The primary endpoint is a composite outcome measure - labelled Cerebrovascular Ischemia, major Hemorrhagic events or Death (CIHD) - and includes (i) occurrence of any stroke (including retinal infarction), (ii) new ischaemic lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, (iii) any major extracranial haemorrhage, (iv) any symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, (v) any new haemorrhagic lesion visible on paramagnetic-susceptible sequences and (vi) death.

Discussion

After database closure, (i) central verification of cervical artery dissection diagnosis will be done by two experienced raters, (ii) adjudication of outcome events will be performed by independent adjudication committees, separately for clinical and imaging outcomes. The primary analysis will be done on the per protocol data set. The targeted sample size consists of 169 evaluable patients in the per protocol data set.

Conclusion

TREAT-CAD is testing the non-inferiority of Aspirin versus vitamin K antagonists treatment in patients with symptomatic cervical artery dissection by combined clinical and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes.

Antithrombotic Therapy to Prevent Recurrent Strokes in Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease: JACC Scientific Expert Panel

Stroke survivors carry a high risk of recurrence. Antithrombotic medications are paramount for secondary prevention and thus crucial to reduce the overall stroke burden. Appropriate antithrombotic agent selection should be based on the best understanding of the physiopathological mechanism that led to the initial ischemic injury. Antiplatelet therapy is preferred for lesions characterized by atherosclerosis and endothelial injury, whereas anticoagulant agents are favored for cardiogenic embolism and highly thrombophilic conditions. Large randomized controlled trials have provided new data to support recommendations for the evidence-based use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulant agents after stroke. In this review, the authors cover recent trials that have altered clinical practice, cite systematic reviews and meta-analyses, review evidence-based recommendations based on older landmark trials, and indicate where there are still evidence-gaps and new trials being conducted.

Endovascular therapy versus intravenous thrombolysis in cervical artery dissection-related ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our meta-analysis is to evaluate the endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with cervical artery dissection (CAD)-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by comparing its efficacy and safety with the ones of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

METHODS

A systematic search on EVT to CAD-related ischemic stroke is performed. The meta-analysis models are applied to calculate either the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) or pooled proportions with 95% CI of favorable functional outcome (mRS = 0-2), excellent functional outcome (mRS = 0-1), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), mortality and recurrent stroke between EVT and IVT in CAD-related stroke. The differences between the two treatment groups are analyzed by the pooled odds ratio value and Chi-squared test.

RESULTS

A total of 190 patients given EVT and 139 IVT-alone patients are included. By comparing EVT alone and IVT alone, patients treated with EVT alone are more likely to experience favorable outcomes than those treated with IVT alone (71.2% vs 53.4%). Besides, there is no significant difference in excellent functional outcome, SICH, mortality and recurrent stroke between the EVT-alone and IVT-alone groups (all P > 0.05). Towards general EVT (EVT with or without IVT), the outcomes are not significantly different from those of IVT alone except for a higher mortality rate (10.2% vs 3.2%).

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, EVT is considered to be more efficacious than IVT for CAD-related AIS patients. Although EVT alone tends to be safe and promising, its safety needs to be further evaluated, particularly for EVT separating from IVT therapy.

Stroke in young adults: Five new things

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The incidence of stroke in young adults is increasing, mainly driven by an increasing incidence of ischemic stroke in this population. We provide new information that has been recently presented regarding the risk factor prevalence, some specific etiologic causes, and management strategies in ischemic stroke in this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies indicate a rapid increase in traditional risk factors in young adults. New information regarding the management of patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke and cervical artery dissection is available.

SUMMARY

Stroke in young adults is a rapidly growing problem with deep public health implications. There are many areas in this field, which require further research.

Endovascular repair of an acute symptomatic carotid artery dissection through the false dissecting carotid lumen

A 48-year-old woman presented with an acute ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 21) six hours after symptom onset. Workup revealed a left cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusive dissection, which was emergently reconstructed with a flow-diverting stent. A routine Duplex scan one hour later suggested reocclusion of the ICA, confirmed by angiography. The true lumen of the ICA could not be accessed and therefore the "false lumen" of the ICA dissection was entered proximally. The true lumen and ultimately the flow-diverting stent were accessed via the false lumen. In analogy to the subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention technique described for peripheral vascular disease, several stents were placed in telescoping fashion from the true common carotid lumen through the "false dissecting" lumen of the proximal ICA into the distal true lumen. The stent construct remained patent, and the patient recovered clinically to an NIHSS of 1.

Cervical artery dissections: Factors that influence causation determination in litigated cases

In litigated cases, the suspected causes of cervical artery dissections (CADs) are a source of considerable debate among experts. In this study, we sought to examine the factors influencing court decisions and discover how Canadian tribunals analyzed and arbitrated conflicting expert opinions in CAD cases. Cases for this review were identified through searches of the Canadian CANLII database. First, the results of this study show that there is no standardized methodology to assist health care personnel in the processing and interpretation of data in individual cases of CAD. This leads to wide ranges of personal interpretations and opinions which may confuse tribunals. Of concern is the implication of treating physicians who may not have the objectivity to act as expert witnesses when one of their patients is engaged in a legal proceeding.

Common Carotid Artery Dissection in Multiple Extracranial Injury: A Case Report

Traumatic common carotid artery dissection (CCAD) is rare. To our knowledge, only 14 case reports have described traumatic CCAD previously. Here, we report a case of CCAD in a patient with severe trauma. A 50-year-old man was lying on the road after drinking alcohol when a car drove over him. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple rib fractures with hemopneumothorax, lung contusion, flail chest, large amount of hematoma with bladder rupture, and fractures on the C6 spinous process, sacral ala, iliac bone, and pubic ramus. Repair of the bladder rupture, exploratory thoracotomy, and open reduction of multiple rib fractures were performed. Right side hemiparesis was observed on hospital day 4. Brain CT showed a large acute left middle cerebral artery infarction. CT angiography showed focal carotid dissection at the left common carotid artery with intimal flap. The CCAD was located at the C6 level. Clexane (enoxaparin sodium) treatment was initiated. An abdominal CT scan revealed a huge retroperitoneal hematoma and increased amount of hematoma in the prevesical and perivesical space, 10 days later. The patient died two days later. Although traumatic CCAD is rare, this case report provides useful information for trauma surgeons regarding the treatment and diagnosis of similar cases.

Craniocervical Dissections: Radiologic Findings, Pitfalls, Mimicking Diseases: A Pictorial Review

Background:

Craniocervical Dissections (CCD) are a crucial emergency state causing 20% of strokes in patients under the age of 45. Although DSA (digital substraction angiography) is regarded as the gold standard, noninvasive methods of CT, CTA and MRI, MRA are widely used for diagnosis.

Aim:

Our aim is to illustrate noninvasive imaging findings in CCD.

Conclusion:

Emphasizing on diagnostic pitfalls, limitations and mimicking diseases.

A Posterior Circulation Stroke Presenting with Isolated Truncal Ataxia

Vertebral artery dissection is an infrequent and often misdiagnosed cause of stroke. In this case report, we describe a patient with a posterior circulation stroke caused by a vertebral artery dissection, who presented to the emergency department with isolated truncal ataxia. This case emphasizes the importance of obtaining a thorough history and physical exam for all neurologic complaints, including a careful ambulation assessment.

Cervical Artery Dissection and Choosing Appropriate Therapy

Cervical artery dissection is a common cause of stroke in young adults. This may result from head and neck trauma; it can also occur spontaneously or secondary to genetic connective tissue or vascular disorders. Neurologic symptoms arise as a result of thromboembolism and hypoperfusion causing cerebral ischemia. We present a case of a previously healthy male who was found to have a cervical internal carotid artery dissection and the decision to use antiplatelet therapy instead of anticoagulation to prevent stroke. Data is lacking regarding the efficacy of one therapy over the other.

Traumatic cervical internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a child refractory to initial endovascular treatment: case report and technical considerations

PURPOSE

Optimal management of extracranial carotid artery dissections (eCAD) in pediatric patients is not well documented, and endovascular interventions are rarely reported.

METHODS

A 10-year-old girl sustained multiple systemic injuries in a motor vehicle accident, including an eCAD with pseudoaneurysm. She initially failed both aspirin and endovascular stenting with progressive enlargement of a traumatic cervical carotid pseudoaneurysm and stenosis.

RESULTS

Second-stage endovascular stent placement with coiling resulted in successful occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm. At 30-month imaging follow-up, the parent vessel remained patent with no evidence of the pseudoaneurysm.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of poly-trauma, management of eCAD can be complex especially in the pediatric population. There is little data on the endovascular treatment of eCAD in children. Failed endovascular therapies are extremely rare. Our report supports surveillance imaging as repeat endovascular treatment may be necessary.

Bilateral spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection managed with endovascular stenting - A case report

Carotid artery dissection (CAD) is a frequent cause of stroke, accounting for up to 25% of all ischemic strokes in young and middle-aged patients.1,2 It may be traumatic or spontaneous, with multi-factorial etiology. A tear in the arterial wall causes intrusion of blood within its layers, producing intra-luminal stenosis, or aneurysmal dilatation.3 Thrombo-embolism arising from this anatomic disruption has been postulated as the essential stroke mechanism in CAD.4 Bilateral internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) has been rarely reported.1,4 Antiplatelets and anticoagulation remain standard therapy for CAD.5 However, in patients with either expanding pseudoaneurysms, severe flow compromise, worsening symptoms despite anticoagulation or contraindication to anticoagulation, endovascular stenting is beneficial.6 We describe a patient with ischemic stroke from spontaneous bilateral ICAD with completely occluded left ICA. Having failed medical therapy with antiplatelets and anticoagulants due to extensive loss of carotid vascular supply, he was managed successfully with endovascular stenting with good neurological recovery.

Safety and Efficacy of Thrombolysis in Cervical Artery Dissection-Related Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background: Although thrombolysis is considered to be the first-line treatment for ischemic stroke, there remains an ongoing controversy on the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in cervical artery dissection (CAD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess observational data related to the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in CAD-related ischemic stroke. Methods: We performed a systematic search of the efficacy of thrombolysis treatment in CAD-related ischemic stroke with appropriate observational studies identified for the study. The meta-analysis models in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 software were applied to calculate the merged rates of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS 0-2), excellent outcome (mRS 0-1), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH (SICH), mortality and recurrent stroke between thrombolysis and non-thrombolysis in CAD-related stroke. The difference of outcomes and adverse events between the 2 groups was compared by analyzing the pooled OR value and chi-square test using the software SPSS. Results: A total of 846 patients were identified from 10 studies (174 with thrombolysis; 672 with non-thrombolysis). The meta-analysis detected no significant statistical difference in the proportion of CAD-related stroke patients enjoying a favorable outcome at the 3 months' follow-up between the thrombolysis and non-thrombolysis groups (53.7 vs. 58.2%, OR 0.782, χ2 = 0.594, p > 0.05); non-thrombolysis was slightly superior than thrombolysis in terms of excellent outcome (52.4 vs. 34.4%, OR 0.489, χ2 = 9.143, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in SICH, mortality and recurrent stroke rates between the 2 groups (all p > 0.05). ICH rate was higher in the thrombolysis group of CAD-related stroke patients compared to that in the non-thrombolysis group (12.3 vs. 7.4%, OR 2.647, χ2 = 4.127, p = 0.042). Conclusion: Thrombolysis seems to be equally safe and will achieve an efficacy similar to the efficacy of non-thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to CAD. It is also as effective as thrombolysis in stroke from miscellaneous causes. Therefore, CAD patients experiencing a stroke should not be denied thrombolysis therapy. However, this will need to be confirmed in large-scale randomized studies, especially involving intravenous thrombolysis treatment.

Use of Heparin in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Is There Still a Role?

Heparin has long been a contested therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In current practice, heparin is considered on a case-by-case basis, but there is no consensus as to the appropriate timing of anticoagulation or for which ischemic stroke subtypes heparin may be beneficial. To provide better clarity on this issue, we review current research focusing on the use of heparin in AIS in each stroke subtype and subsequently make recommendations to provide readers with a systematic approach to managing complex stroke patients for which acute anticoagulation may be valuable. We conclude that there are certain subpopulations of ischemic stroke patients that may derive benefit from heparin when given acutely, including patients with symptomatic large artery stenosis >70 %, non-occlusive intraluminal thrombus, and in patients with high-risk cardiac conditions including left ventricular thrombus, left ventricular assist devices, and mechanical heart valves.

Diagnosis and treatment of cervical artery dissection

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a major cause of stroke in the young. A mural hematoma is detected in most CAD patients. The intramural blood accumulation should not be considered a reason to withhold intravenous thrombolysis in patients with CAD-related stroke. Because intravenous-thrombolyzed CAD patients might not recover as well as other stroke patients, acute endovascular treatment is an alternative. Regarding the choice of antithrombotic agents, this article discusses the findings of 4 meta-analyses across observational data, the current status of 3 randomized controlled trials, and arguments and counterarguments favoring anticoagulants over antiplatelets. Furthermore, the role of stenting and surgery is addressed.

Cerebrovascular disease

With 16.9 million people who suffered a first-ever stroke in 2010 worldwide, stroke is a very common vascular disease. Epidemiologic studies have played an essential role in assessing this burden and in detecting the risk factors for stroke. Primary prevention of these risk factors, primarily hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, has reduced the incidence in high-income countries. However, stroke remains a major cause of death and disability, and therefore research should be continued. Subarachnoid hemorrhages are less prevalent than strokes but have an even higher risk of death. Similar to stroke, epidemiologic studies identified smoking and hypertension as its most important risk factors, together with excessive alcohol intake. Although rare, arterial dissections, CADASIL, arteriovenous malformations, venous sinus thrombosis, moyamoya disease, and vasculitis can lead to serious symptoms. The burden and risk factors of those rare diseases are more challenging to assess. Whenever possible, they should be recognized in a timely manner for their increased risk of stroke, but most often they are diagnosed only at the time of stroke. Some cerebrovascular abnormalities do not result in immediate symptoms. This subclinical cerebrovascular disease includes silent infarcts, white-matter lesions, and microbleeds, and is incidentally found by neuroimaging. These lesions are not innocent, as several epidemiologic studies have associated subclinical cerebrovascular disease with an increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline, dementia, and death.

Cervical Artery Dissection: A Review of the Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Outcome

CONTEXT

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a common cause of stroke in young adults. There is controversy over whether anticoagulation is superior to antiplatelet therapy in preventing stroke in patients with CAD, although meta-analyses to date have not shown any difference between the two treatments.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed a PubMed search using each of the keywords: "Cervical artery dissection", "Dissection", "Carotid dissection", and "Vertebral dissection" between January 1^st, 1990 and July 1^st 2015. We identified evidence-based peer-reviewed articles, including randomized trials, case series and reports, and retrospective reviews that encompass the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcome of cervical artery dissection.

RESULTS

This paper highlights the mechanisms of cervical artery dissection and stroke in patients with dissection as well as the natural history and treatment.

CONCLUSION

Given the relatively rare incidence of this disease, multicenter studies with collaborative effort among stroke centers worldwide should be considered to enroll patients with cervical artery dissection in a randomized trial comparing the two treatments.

The limitations of using risk factors to screen for blunt cerebrovascular injuries: the harder you look, the more you find

Introduction

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is reported to occur in 1–2 % of blunt trauma patients. Clinical and radiologic risk factors for BCVI have been described to help identify patients that require screening for these injuries. However, recent studies have suggested that BCVI frequently occurs even in the absence of these risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of BCVI in blunt trauma patients without risk factors and whether these patients could be identified by a more liberal CTA screening protocol.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all blunt trauma patients seen between November 2010 and May 2014. In May 2012, a clinical practice guideline for CTA screening for BCVI was implemented. The records of all patients with BCVI were reviewed for the presence of risk factors for BCVI previously described in the literature.

Results

During the 43 month study period, 6,602 blunt trauma patients were evaluated, 2,374 prior to, and 4,228 after implementation of the clinical practice guideline. Nineteen percent of all blunt trauma patients underwent CTA of the neck after protocol implementation compared to only 1.5 % prior to protocol implementation (p = 0.001). As a result, a 5-fold increase in the identification of BCVI was observed (p = 0.00003). Thirty-seven percent of patients with BCVI identified with the enhanced CT screening protocol had none of the signs, symptoms, or risk factors usually associated with these injuries.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that reliance on clinical or radiologic risk factors alone as indications for screening for BCVI is inadequate. We recommend routine CTA screening for BCVI in all patients who have sustained a mechanism of injury sufficient to warrant either a CT of the cervical spine or a CTA of the chest.

Potential new uses of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants to treat and prevent stroke

BACKGROUND

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) drugs are at least equivalent to warfarin for ischemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and have a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The role of these agents in the prevention and treatment of other types of cerebrovascular disease remains unclear.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature (randomized trials, exploratory comparative studies, and case series) on the use of NOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, and cerebrovascular disease independent of atrial fibrillation.

RESULTS

The literature on the use of NOACs for treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disease in patients without atrial fibrillation is sparse. The potential benefit of vitamin K antagonists over antiplatelet agents for primary and secondary prevention in certain subsets of patients with cerebrovascular disease is offset by the increased risk of major and intracranial hemorrhage. Given that NOACs are equivalent to vitamin K antagonists in preventing ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation with less bleeding risk, clinical trials are needed to investigate the short- and long-term use of NOACs in populations of patients with other forms of cerebrovascular disease, including those with cryptogenic stroke with or without evidence of patent foramen ovale and low ejection fraction, cervical artery dissection, large artery atherosclerosis, venous thrombosis, and stuttering lacunar stroke.

CONCLUSION

There may be a role for NOACs in stroke prevention and treatment beyond atrial fibrillation. Randomized controlled trials are needed to compare NOACs to current stroke prevention and treatment strategies in certain subgroups of patients with cerebrovascular disease.

An assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for non-communicable diseases (NCDs): more and higher quality research is required in less developed countries

Research is crucial to implement evidence-based health interventions for control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aims to assess main features of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for control of NCDs, and to identify gaps in clinical research on NCDs between high-income and less developed countries. The study included 1177 RCTs in 82 Cochrane Systematic reviews (CSRs) and evaluated interventions for adults with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, or heart diseases. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with risk of bias in included RCTs. We found that 78.2% of RCTs of interventions for major NCDs recruited patients in high-income countries. The number of RCTs included in the CSRs was increasing over time, and the increasing speed was more noticeable for RCTs conducted in middle-income countries. RCTs conducted in less developed countries tended to be more recently published, less likely to be published in English, with smaller sample sizes, and at a higher risk of bias. In conclusion, there is still a lack of research evidence for control of NCDs in less developed countries. To brace for rising NCDs and avoid waste of scarce research resources, not only more but also higher quality clinical trials are required in low-and-middle-income countries.

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of intracranial artery dissection

Spontaneous intracranial artery dissection is an uncommon and probably underdiagnosed cause of stroke that is defined by the occurrence of a haematoma in the wall of an intracranial artery. Patients can present with headache, ischaemic stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or symptoms associated with mass effect, mostly on the brainstem. Although intracranial artery dissection is less common than cervical artery dissection in adults of European ethnic origin, intracranial artery dissection is reportedly more common in children and in Asian populations. Risk factors and mechanisms are poorly understood, and diagnosis is challenging because characteristic imaging features can be difficult to detect in view of the small size of intracranial arteries. Therefore, multimodal follow-up imaging is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of intracranial artery dissections is empirical in the absence of data from randomised controlled trials. Most patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage undergo surgical or endovascular treatment to prevent rebleeding, whereas patients with intracranial artery dissection and cerebral ischaemia are treated with antithrombotics. Prognosis seems worse in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage than in those without.

Resolution of internal carotid dissection with middle cerebral artery occlusion in pregnancy

Introduction. Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a common cause of stroke in younger patients. While the incidence of stroke in pregnancy is increasing, CAD remains a rare cause of ischemic stroke in the pregnant population, with only 30 cases described in the literature, most in the postpartum period. Methods. The case of a pregnant patient at 18 weeks of gestation presenting with CAD and ischemic stroke following intercourse is discussed. Discussion. CAD results from an intimal tear in the carotid artery, allowing accumulation of blood in the vessel wall. Stroke results from embolization of thrombogenic material in the wall. Etiology includes minor trauma, connective tissue disorders, or anatomic variations of the carotid artery. Most patients present with headache and/or neck pain, while ischemic symptoms are seen in at least 50% of patients. In the pregnant population, imaging with MRI or MRA of the head and neck aids in diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, patients are treated with either anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications. The optimal treatment in both pregnant and nonpregnant patients has not been well-studied. Conclusion. CAD is an important diagnosis to consider in a pregnant patient with persistent headache, especially if neurological symptoms are present. Imaging should be quickly obtained so treatment can be initiated.

Anticoagulants for acute ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Most ischaemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. Clot prevention with anticoagulants might improve outcomes if bleeding risks are low. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1995, with recent updates in 2004 and 2008.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of early anticoagulation (within the first 14 days of onset) in people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (June 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Database of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and the Health Technology Assessment Database (HTA) (The Cochrane Library 2014 Issue 6), MEDLINE (2008 to June 2014) and EMBASE (2008 to June 2014). In addition, we searched ongoing trials registries and reference lists of relevant papers. For previous versions of this review, we searched the register of the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) Collaboration, consulted MedStrategy (1995), and contacted relevant drug companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing early anticoagulant therapy (started within two weeks of stroke onset) with control in people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted the data.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 24 trials involving 23,748 participants. The quality of the trials varied considerably. The anticoagulants tested were standard unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, heparinoids, oral anticoagulants, and thrombin inhibitors. Over 90% of the evidence relates to the effects of anticoagulant therapy initiated within the first 48 hours of onset. Based on 11 trials (22,776 participants) there was no evidence that anticoagulant therapy started within the first 14 days of stroke onset reduced the odds of death from all causes (odds ratio (OR) 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.12) at the end of follow-up. Similarly, based on eight trials (22,125 participants), there was no evidence that early anticoagulation reduced the odds of being dead or dependent at the end of follow-up (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.04). Although early anticoagulant therapy was associated with fewer recurrent ischaemic strokes (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.88), it was also associated with an increase in symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.95 to 3.33). Similarly, early anticoagulation reduced the frequency of symptomatic pulmonary emboli (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.81), but this benefit was offset by an increase in extracranial haemorrhages (OR 2.99; 95% CI 2.24 to 3.99).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Since the last version of the review, no new relevant studies have been published and so there is no additional information to change the conclusions. Early anticoagulant therapy is not associated with net short- or long-term benefit in people with acute ischaemic stroke. Treatment with anticoagulants reduced recurrent stroke, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but increased bleeding risk. The data do not support the routine use of any of the currently available anticoagulants in acute ischaemic stroke.

Traumatic Dissection of Four Brain-Supplying Arteries without Neurologic Deficit

Study Design Case report and review of the literature. Objectives Case report of a traumatic dissection of all major brain-supplying arteries resulting from a horseback-riding accident. Overview of the literature on diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations. Methods Case presentation. For the discussion, handpicked articles and PubMed database research with the keywords "dissection," "vertebral artery," "spine trauma," "computed tomography," "magnetic resonance imaging," and "angiography" were used. Results Despite high-energy induced acute lesion of all four cervical arteries, this 45-year-old patient did not demonstrate signs of microemboli nor suffer from stroke. Conclusion In case of high-energy trauma of the head and/or the neck, emergency physicians must consider traumatic cervical artery dissection (TCAD). Thus, emergency care algorithms should routinely include computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Although the incidence of TCAD-induced stroke is low, antiplatelet therapy is recommended in the presence of TCAD.

Traumatic dissection of the internal carotid artery: simultaneous infarct of optic nerve and brain

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE

Traumatic intracranial internal carotid artery dissection is a rare but significant cause of stroke in patients in their forties, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Simultaneous ischemic stroke and optic nerve infarction can occur. Clinical suspicion of dissection is determining in the acute management.

Use of perfusion imaging and other imaging techniques to assess risks/benefits of acute stroke interventions

The advent of multimodal neuroimaging has provided acute stroke care providers with an armamentarium of sophisticated imaging options to utilize for guidance in clinical decision-making and management of acute ischemic stroke patients. Here, we propose a framework and potential algorithm-based methodology for imaging modality selection and utilization for the purpose of achieving optimal stroke clinical care. We first review imaging options that may best inform decision-making regarding revascularization eligibility, with a focus on the imaging modalities that best identify critical inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next, we review imaging methods that may guide the successful achievement of revascularization once it has been deemed desirable and feasible. Further, we review imaging modalities that may best assist in both the noninterventional care of acute stroke as well as the identification of stroke-mimics. Finally, we review imaging techniques under current investigation that show promise to improve future acute stroke management.

Headache medicine meets neuro-ophthalmology: exam techniques and challenging cases

The neuro-ophthalmology examination is critical to anyone who sees patients with the common symptom of headache. By examining the visual acuity, pupils, visual fields, motility, and fundus, clues to both secondary causes of headache and primary headaches exist. In this review, we discuss how to do the neuro-ophthalmology examination and we review cases of primary and secondary headache where key features of the examination assisted in making the correct diagnosis.