Different Characteristics of Anterior and Posterior Branch Atheromatous Diseases with or without Early Neurologic Deterioration

Relative score of early neurological deterioration in perforator artery infarction: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Compared to small vessel occlusion (SVO) patients, branch atheromatous disease (BAD) patients are more likely to develop early neurological deterioration (END). Stroke patients with END have a poor prognosis. Initial clinical features/radiological findings are often insufficient to distinguish between BAD and SVO; therefore, they may not detect END. In this retrospective study, we investigated relative factors for END in perforator artery infarction and created a scoring system for END in these patients.

METHODS

We extracted data from stroke patients with perforator artery infarction admitted to the Department of Neurology at Juntendo University between January 2016 and December 2022. We examined factors, such as the presence of SVO and BAD, leading to END. Variables with a P-value < 0.1 on univariate analysis were entered into binominal logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 1,420 stroke patients admitted over a 7-year period, 201 with perforator infarction were included in this study. END was found in 27 of 201 patients (13.4%). Binominal logistic regression analysis of background factors less than p < 0.1 revealed that age > 69 (P = 0.032; odds ratio [OR], 3.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.126-13.769), body mass index < 23.8 (P = 0.041; OR, 3.183; 95%CI, 1.049-9.654), and pretreatment with anti-platelets (P = 0.003; OR, 5.183; 95%CI, 1.783-15.071) were significant factors. Regarding anti-platelet therapy, END was observed in 34.4% of patients administered aspirin and 35.0% administered clopidogrel. Initial infarct lesion size over 15 mm on initial MRI had a P value of 0.076 in univariate analysis and an odds ratio of 1.330 (95% CI 0.471-3.755; P = 0.590) in binomial logistic regression analysis. The length of stay and modified Rankin Scale at discharge were significantly exacerbated in the END group. Creating a scoring system with 1 point for each relevant factor (pEND score), significant correlations were obtained with ROC curves, and over 2 points produced the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting END.

CONCLUSION

Patients with high pEND scores may require intensive care from early hospitalization. In addition, the occurrence of stroke during anti-platelet therapy suggests the need for alternative treatment.

Efficacy of Treatment with and without Initial Clopidogrel Loading in Branch Atheromatous Disease

Objective Despite aggressive therapeutic interventions during the acute phase of branch atheromatous disease (BAD)-type cerebral infarction, many patients, even those with a mild condition at the onset, experience neurological deterioration after hospitalization and develop serious deficits. We compared the therapeutic efficacy of multiple antithrombotic therapies for BAD between patients who received a clopidogrel loading dose (loading group; LG) and those without loading (non-loading group; NLG). Patients Between January 2019 and May 2022, patients with BAD-type cerebral infarction in the lenticulostriate artery admitted within 24 h of the onset were recruited. This study included 95 consecutive patients who received combination argatroban and dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel). Methods Patients were classified into the LG and NLG according to whether or not a loading dose of clopidogrel (300 mg) had been administered on admission. Changes in neurological severity [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score] during the acute phase were retrospectively evaluated. Results There were 34 (36%) and 61 (64%) patients in the LG and NLG, respectively. On admission, the median NIHSS score was similar between the groups [LG: 2.5 (2-4) vs. NLG: 3 (2-4), p=0.771]. At 48 h following admission, the median NIHSS scores were 1 (0.25-4), and 2 (1-5) in the LG and NLG, respectively (p=0.045). Early neurological deterioration (END; defined as worsening of the NIHSS score by ≥4 points at 48 h after admission) occurred in 3% of LG and 20% of NLG patients (p=0.028). Conclusion Administration of a clopidogrel loading dose with combination antithrombotic therapy for BAD reduced END.

The "island sign" on diffusion-weighted imaging predicts early neurological deterioration in penetrating artery territory infarctions: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Early neurological deterioration (END) sometimes occurs in patients with penetrating artery territory infarction (PATI) and leads to poor prognosis. In this study, we analyzed clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of PATI, and focused on the infarct patterns on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). We tried to investigate whether the "island sign" pattern is associated with END.

METHODS

We enrolled consecutive patients admitted with acute PATI within 48 h after onset from May 2020 to July 2022. They were divided into with and without the "island sign" pattern on DWI. According to infarct location, all the patients were classified into two groups: the territories of the lenticulostriate arteries (LSA) and paramedian pontine arteries (PPA). The patients in each group were further divided into two groups according to whether they developed END or not. Through analyzing the clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of the patients, we tried to identify the factors that might associated with the "island sign" pattern and the potential predictors of END within the LSA and PPA groups.

RESULTS

Out of the 113 patients enrolled in this study, END was found in 17 patients (27.9%) in the LSA group and 20 patients (38.5%) in the PPA group. The "island sign" was found in 26 (23%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of END in the LSA group were the "island sign" (OR 4.88 95% CI 1.03-23.2 P = 0.045) and high initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (OR 1.79 95% CI 1.08-2.98 P = 0.024) and in the PPA group was the presence of lesions extending to the ventral pontine surface (OR 7.53 95% CI 1.75-32.37 P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive factors for END were different in the LSA and PPA groups. The "island sign" was particularly associated with END in the LSA group.

Risk Factors and Functional Outcomes with Early Neurological Deterioration after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Early neurological deterioration (END) is associated with a poor survival after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). To assess risk factors and functional outcomes of END after MT in patients, we analyzed data from 79 patients who received MT with large-vessel occlusion. END after MT in patients is defined as an increase of two points or more in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, compared with the best neurological status within 7 days. The mechanism of END can be classified into: AIS progression, sICH, and encephaledema. A total of 32 AIS patients (40.5%) had END after MT. Risk factors for END after MT included: history of oral antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation drugs before MT (OR = 9.56,95% CI = 1.02-89.57), higher NIHSS score when admitted to hospital (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.04-1.48), under the subtype of atherosclerotic stroke (OR = 17.36, 95% CI = 1.51-199.56), ASITN/SIR< 2 (OR = 15.78, 95% CI = 1.65-151.26), and prolonged period from AIS onset to the first revascularization (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.00-1.02). AIS patients who had END at early stages were more likely to experience poor outcomes (Modified Rankin Scale [mRS] >2) at 90 days after MT (OR = 6.829, 95% CI = 1.573-29.655). Thus, AIS patients who had experienced END at early stages were more likely to have poor outcomes (mRS >2) at 90 days after MT, and the risk factors of END were connected to the mechanism of END.

Investigation of inpatient convalescent rehabilitation outcomes in branch atheromatous disease

PURPOSE

We investigated inpatient convalescent rehabilitation outcomes of Branch atheromatous disease (BAD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The subjects were 116 patients with lenticulostriate artery territory - BAD (LSA-BAD) and 29 with paramedian pontine artery territory - BAD (PPA-BAD). For all patients, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, and Brunnstrom recovery stages (BRS) of the upper limb, fingers, and lower limb were measured on admission and at discharge.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics on admission between the LSA-BAD and PPA-BAD groups. The neurological severity of PPA-BAD, as measured by the NIHSS, was significantly milder compared with that of LSA-BAD upon admission (p = 0.015) and at discharge (p = 0.001). Patients with LSA-BAD had significantly less improvement in the BRS of the upper limb (p = 0.001), fingers (p < 0.001), and lower limb (p = 0.007) at discharge. Furthermore, they had significantly smaller changes in BRS between admission and discharge for the upper limb (p = 0.033) and fingers (p = 0.014) compared with patients with PPA-BAD. The improvement in BRS for patients with LSA-BAD tended to be limited to two stages; however, both patients with LSA-BAD and PPA-BAD saw sufficient gains in FIM at discharge.

CONCLUSION

Rehabilitation outcomes following BAD in the convalescent period should be assessed in terms of improvements in pure-motor hemiparesis and activities of daily living. Furthermore, the disturbance patterns in the corticospinal tract by ischemic stroke lesions may be different between LSA-BAD and PPA-BAD.

Higher Prevalence of Diabetes in Pontine Infarction than in Other Posterior Circulation Strokes

BACKGROUND

Pontine infarction is the major subtype of posterior circulation stroke, and diabetes is more common in pontine infarction patients than in anterior circulation stroke patients. Whether the prevalence of diabetes remains homogenous within the posterior circulation stroke population is unclear. The present study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of diabetes in pontine infarction and comparing it to other subtypes of posterior circulation stroke.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter case-control study. Patients with posterior circulation stroke were screened. The subjects were divided into pontine infarction and nonpontine infarction groups.

RESULTS

From November 1, 2018, to February 28, 2021, a total of 6145 stroke patients were screened and 2627 patients had posterior circulation strokes. After excluding cardioembolic stroke, as well as its other determined and undetermined causes, 1549 patients with 754 pontine infarctions were included in the analysis. The prevalence of diabetes in the pontine infarction group was higher than that in the nonpontine infarction group (42.7% vs. 31.4%, P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, diabetes was an independent risk factor for pontine infarction (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.27-2.09, P < 0.05). For small vessel occlusion, diabetes was also more common in the pontine infarction group (43.2% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis also showed that diabetes was an independent risk factor for pontine infarction (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.32-2.46, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In comparison with the nonpontine infarction subtype of posterior circulation stroke, patients with pontine infarction had a higher prevalence of diabetes, and diabetes was an independent risk factor for pontine infarction.

Utility of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Progression of Neurological Symptoms in Lenticulostriate Artery Territory Infarction

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) in determining the progression of neurological symptoms resulting in acute ischemic stroke in patients with lenticulostriate artery (LSA) infarction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1HMRS was performed within 72 h after neurological symptom onset. Voxel of interest was placed in tissue that included the pyramidal tract and identified diffusion weighted echo planar spin-echo sequence (DWI) coronal images. Infarct volume in DWI was calculated using the ABC/2 method. 1HMRS data (tNAA, tCr, Glx, tCho, and Ins) were analyzed using LCModel. Progressive neurological symptoms were defined as an increase of 1 or more in the NIHSS score. Patients who underwent 1HMRS after progressive neurological symptoms were excluded.

RESULTS

In total, 77 patients were enrolled. Of these, 19 patients had progressive neurological symptoms. The patients with progressive neurological symptoms were significantly more likely to be female and had higher tCho/tCr values, higher rates of axial slices ≥ 3 slices on DWI, higher infarct volume on DWI, higher maximum diameter of infarction of axial slice on DWI, and higher SBP on admission compared to those without. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that higher tCho/tCr values were independently associated with progressive neurological symptoms after adjusting for age, sex, and initial DWI infarct volume (tCho/tCr per 0.01 increase, OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.52, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased tCho/tCr score were associated with progressive neurological symptoms in patients with LSA ischemic stroke. Quantitative evaluation of 1HMRS parameters may be useful for predicting the progression of neurological symptoms.

Association between out-of-bed mobilization and complications of immobility in acute phase of severe stroke: A retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Medical complications often occur, particularly in the acute phase of severe stroke, and lead to poor outcomes. However, it is unclear whether out-of-bed mobilization (OM) reduces such complications or not in the acute phase of severe stroke. Thus, we investigated the association between OM and complications of immobility in the acute phase of severe stroke.

METHODS

We enrolled 407 patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and patients with modified Rankin Scale 5 at discharge in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: OM (303 patients) and bed rest (BR; 104 patients) at discharge based on their medical records. Complications of immobility (such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, pressure sore, and falls) during hospitalization in each group were recorded.

RESULTS

The total complication rate of immobility, incidence of pneumonia, and the incidence of pressure sores were significantly lower in the OM group than in the BR group [60.7% vs. 88.5%, 45.5% vs. 62.5%, and 3.6% vs. 12.5%; odds ratio, 0.20, 0.50, and 0.26; and 95% confidence intervals, 0.11-0.39, 0.32-0.79, and 0.11-0.61, respectively]. Urinary tract infection and falls did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In the acute phase of severe stroke, OM was significantly associated with a lower risk of total complication rate of immobility, incidence of pneumonia, and incidence of pressure sore without increasing falls.

Mean Platelet Volume Is Associated with Early Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Branch Atheromatous Disease: Involvement of Platelet Activation

BACKGROUND

The most attentive clinical problem in patients with branch atheromatous disease (BAD) is early neurological deterioration (END). Although the platelet activation (PA) is involved in pathogenesis, the relationship between PA and END has remained unclear. We investigated clinical data including mean platelet volume (MPV, fL) as a marker for PA to identify clinically useful biomarkers for END.

METHODS

A total of 64 patients with BAD were investigated retrospectively, and divided into 2 groups based on whether neurologic symptoms deteriorated or not: BAD with and without END (END and non-END). The END was defined as patients with point increase of 1 or greater in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS); non-END was defined as those without such increase. Clinical features such as NIHSS, modified Rankin scale (mRS), laboratory data including MPV, lesion size (LS, mm) on admission, and treatments were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients, 17 cases had an END. The median values of NIHSS, mRS, MPV, and LS on admission were significantly greater in END than in non-END (P < .05, respectively). There was no correlation of MPV with NIHSS, mRS and LS, respectively. The median values of MPV were significantly higher in END than in non-END and control (P < .05, respectively). A receiver operating characteristic curve indicated a value of 10.1 as cutoff level for MPV to discriminate between END and non-END.

CONCLUSIONS

High MPV values on admission may be an independent biomarker for END. Physicians should pay more careful attention to END in BAD showing MPV values higher than 10.1 on admission.