Etiopathogenesis and prognosis of cerebral ischemia in young adults. A survey of 155 treated patients

Pregnancy-associated stroke -a systematic review of subsequent pregnancies and maternal health

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy-associated stroke is a rare but life-threatening event, with an estimated incidence of 30/100000 deliveries. Data on the risk of stroke recurrence and the risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes are essential for adequate counselling and surveillance in subsequent pregnancies. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the implications of a pregnancy-associated stroke for the future health of these women.

METHODS

We searched Ovid Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library and CINAHL for articles published in 1980-2018. Articles including women with pregnancy-associated stroke and information on at least one of the following outcomes were included: 1) recurrence of stroke during subsequent pregnancy, 2) number and course of subsequent pregnancies and their outcomes and 3) subsequent cardiovascular health.

RESULTS

Twelve articles were included in the review, with six providing information on subsequent pregnancies, four on subsequent maternal health and two on both. The included articles varied greatly in terms of study design, length of follow up and reported outcomes. We found 252 women with pregnancy-associated stroke for whom the outcomes of interest were reported: 135 women with information on subsequent pregnancies and 123 women with information on future health. In total, 55 pregnancies after stroke were found. In the majority of studies, the incidence of pregnancy complications was comparable to that of the general population. The risk of stroke recurrence during pregnancy was 2%. Data on subsequent health of these women were limited, and the quality of the data varied between the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Data on subsequent pregnancies and health of women with a history of pregnancy-associated stroke are limited. Further research on this topic is essential for adequate counselling and secondary prevention.

Stroke in the young: The multiethnic prospective durban stroke data bank results

AIM

To determine the clinical syndromes, etiopathogenesis, and prognostic factors in a prospectively evaluated multiethnic young stroke population.

METHODS

Only first-ever patients with a World Heath Organization definition of stroke and anatomic brain imaging were included. A hierarchy of investigative modalities divided into three tiers was applied and a range of standardized scales scored in each patient. This allowed quantification of clinical deficit, etiopathogenesis, disability, and handicap. Standardized stroke scales included the Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS), the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) clinical stroke scale, and TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Study) etiological classification. Disability was measured with the Barthel Index and handicap with the Rankin Scale; cognitive impairment was separately evaluated according to predefined criteria. A prognostication measure was made in some patients with the Cerebral Perfusion Index (CPI).

RESULTS

A total of 236 patients was evaluated of whom 64 were excluded because of no lesion consistent with stroke on brain scanning leaving 172 for analysis. There were 87 women, 85 men, with a mean age of 43.8 years (range, 15 to 49 years). Despite many different predefined symptoms, 38 patients (22%) could not be classified. Hypertension (31%) and smoking (19%) were the most commonly encountered risk factors, with more recently determined risk factors such as infection (6%) and emotional stress (5%) relatively frequent. With respect to etiology, the TOAST category "other" was the most numerous group, numbering 93 of 172 (55%) with prothrombotic states in 25 (15%), vasculitis in 21 (12%), and dissection in 12 (7%) being the most frequent causes. Proportions of the remaining categories were small vessel disease (16%), cardioembolism (13%), large vessel disease (10%), and unknown (6%). X-square analysis for an association between the clinical OCSP and TOAST classifications was not significant. Severity of stroke was generally mild as judged by the CNS and Rankin scales. A high proportion of patients had cognitive impairment (54%). A cerebral perfusion index was possible in 31 patients, most of whom had a medium prognosis.

CONCLUSION

in this hospital-based consecutive series, most young stroke patients in our region were grouped into nonatherogenic (mostly prothrombotic states, infection asssociated and dissection) and noncardiac causes with a definite or probable cause found in 94%. The wide variety of stroke symptoms recorded in this study underscores the heterogeneity of stroke presentation and caution in the emergent evaluation of patients. Cognitive impairment in the majority of stroke patients in the acute and subacute stroke period has important implications for degree of clinical deficit especially as it applies to stroke scales and treatment trials.

Demographic and geographic vascular risk factor differences in European young adults with ischemic stroke: the 15 cities young stroke study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We compared among young patients with ischemic stroke the distribution of vascular risk factors among sex, age groups, and 3 distinct geographic regions in Europe.

METHODS

We included patients with first-ever ischemic stroke aged 15 to 49 years from existing hospital- or population-based prospective or consecutive young stroke registries involving 15 cities in 12 countries. Geographic regions were defined as northern (Finland, Norway), central (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland), and southern (Greece, Italy, Turkey) Europe. Hierarchical regression models were used for comparisons.

RESULTS

In the study cohort (n=3944), the 3 most frequent risk factors were current smoking (48.7%), dyslipidemia (45.8%), and hypertension (35.9%). Compared with central (n=1868; median age, 43 years) and northern (n=1330; median age, 44 years) European patients, southern Europeans (n=746; median age, 41 years) were younger. No sex difference emerged between the regions, male:female ratio being 0.7 in those aged <34 years and reaching 1.7 in those aged 45 to 49 years. After accounting for confounders, no risk-factor differences emerged at the region level. Compared with females, males were older and they more frequently had dyslipidemia or coronary heart disease, or were smokers, irrespective of region. In both sexes, prevalence of family history of stroke, dyslipidemia, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and atrial fibrillation positively correlated with age across all regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary preventive strategies for ischemic stroke in young adults-having high rate of modifiable risk factors-should be targeted according to sex and age at continental level.

Long-term survival of young stroke patients: a population-based study of two stroke registries from tartu, estonia

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the long-term survival of young stroke patients in Estonia, analyse time trends of survival, and compare the results with other studies. We have used 2 population-based first-ever stroke registry data (1991–1993 and 2001–2003) to analyse the 1-, 5-, and 7-year outcome of young stroke patients by the Kaplan-Meier method of analysis. From the group of 1206 patients, 129 (11%) were aged under 55 years. The overall survival rate at 1, 5, and 7 years was 0.70 (95% CI 0.62–0.78), 0.63 (95% CI 0.55–0.72), and 0.61 (95% CI 0.53–0.70), respectively. The survival was significantly worse for patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (P < 0.01) and for those aged from 45 to 54 years compared to the younger age group from 0 to 44 years (P = 0.03). For patients with ischemic stroke, aged from 15 to 44 years, the 1-, 5-, and 7-year survival rate was 0.89 (95% CI 0.79–1.00), 0.75 (95% CI 0.61–0.93), and 0.75 (0.61–0.93), respectively. There was no difference in overall survival between the two studied periods. We report a low long-term survival rate among young stroke patients in Estonia. Increasing age and hemorrhagic stroke subtype were associated with lower survival. We have previously shown a worse outcome for 1-year survival compared to other studies and currently this trend continues for 5- and 7-year survival rates. In fact, these are the lowest survival rates for the combined and separate stroke subtypes reported so far.

Long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke in young adults

There is limited information about long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke in young adults. Giving the potentially negative impact in physical, social, and emotional aspects of an ischemic stroke in young people, providing early accurate long-term prognostic information is very important in this clinical setting. Moreover, detection of factors associated with bad outcomes (death, recurrence, moderate-to-severe disability) help physicians in optimizing secondary prevention strategies. The present paper reviews the most relevant published information concerning long-term prognosis and predictors of unfavorable outcomes of ischemic stroke affecting young adults. As a summary, we can conclude that, in the long term, stroke in the young adult increases slightly the risk of mortality, implies higher risk of future cardiovascular events, and determines functional limitations in a significant percentage of patients. Nevertheless, in every individual case the prognosis has to be considered depending on several factors (stroke subtype, initial severity, cardiovascular risk factors) that determine the long-term outcomes.

What are the social consequences of stroke for working-aged adults? A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Approximately one fourth of strokes occur in people aged <65 years. UK current policy calls for services that meet the specific needs of working-aged adults with stroke. We aimed to identify the social consequences of stroke in working-aged adults, which might subsequently inform the development and evaluation of services for this group.

METHODS

We reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies identifying social consequences for working-aged adults with stroke using multiple search strategies (electronic databases, bibliographic references, hand searches). Social consequences were defined as those pertaining to the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health domain "participation." Two authors reviewed articles using a standardized matrix for data extraction.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight studies were included: 66 were quantitative observational studies, 2 were quantitative interventional studies, 9 were qualitative studies, and one used mixed methods. Seventy studies reported data on return to work after stroke with proportions ranging from 0% to 100%. Other categories of social consequences included negative impact on family relationships (5% to 54%), deterioration in sexual life (5% to 76%), economic difficulties (24% to 33%), and deterioration in leisure activities (15% to 79%).

CONCLUSIONS

Methodological variations account for the wide range of rates of return to work after stroke. There is limited evidence of the negative impact of stroke on other aspects of social participation. Robust estimates of the prevalence of such outcomes are required to inform the development of appropriate interventions. We propose strategies by which methodology and reporting in this field might be improved.

Long-term mortality among young ischemic stroke patients in western Norway

OBJECTIVES

To obtain data on long-term mortality among young ischemic stroke patients compared with controls in this population-based study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to compare 232 patients aged 15-49 years with first-ever cerebral infarction in 1988-1997 and 453 controls followed from inclusion to death or 1 August 2005 for 2515 and 5558 person-years respectively. In a subanalysis of 192 patients, we compared risk factor variables using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank testing. We applied a Cox proportional hazards model to adjust for multiple risk factors.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients and nine controls died during follow-up (P < 0.0005). Independent risk factors for mortality were active tumor disease (P < 0.0005), high consumption of alcohol (P < 0.0005), coronary atherosclerosis (P < 0.001), living alone (P < 0.02), seizures (P < 0.04) and smoking (P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term mortality was significantly increased among young stroke patients, mainly due to such lifestyle factors as high consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

Causes of ischemic stroke in young adults, and evolution of the etiological diagnosis over the long term

BACKGROUND

Causes of ischemic stroke in young adults (15-45 years) are diverse, but undetermined etiology is common in a majority of studies.

AIMS

The present series study aims to evaluate causes and changes in the etiological diagnosis of ischemic stroke in young adult patients admitted to a tertiary medical center over a period of 27 years.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with a first-ever stroke in the age range of 15-45 years who were admitted to the '12 de Octubre' University Hospital between 1974 and 2002.

RESULTS

272 young adults with ischemic stroke were identified. The etiological diagnoses were: undetermined in 36% of patients, large-artery atherosclerosis in 21%, cardioembolism in 17%, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathy in 17%, and other specific etiologies in 9%. While in the first study period (1974-1988) 45% of patients were diagnosed with uncertain etiology, in the last period (1989-2002) only 26% were diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke (45% with two or more potential etiologies identified; 45% with no identified cause despite complete evaluation, and 10% with incomplete evaluation).

CONCLUSIONS

The etiological diagnosis of stroke in young adults has changed over time as a result of improvements in diagnostic workup. While cryptogenic stroke was the most frequent diagnosis in the past, today specific causes (non-atherosclerotic vasculopathy, large-artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism and hematological disorder) are identified in the majority of patients.

Evidence of hypercoagulability and inflammation in young patients long after acute cerebral ischaemia

INTRODUCTION

Young subjects with acute cerebral ischaemia - stroke or transient ischaemic attack - form an etiologically heterogeneous and often not clearly explained group of patients. The aim was to investigate possible disturbances in haemostasis and inflammation long after an acute cerebral ischaemic event.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients referred after having suffered from acute cerebral ischaemia before the age of 45 participated 1 to 9 years (median value 5 years) after the event. At the time of blood sampling 33 (75%) patients were receiving antithrombotic treatment. Forty-six apparently healthy subjects of the same age group served as controls. In all subjects global haemostasis parameters (overall haemostasis, coagulation and fibrinolytic potential), thrombophilia, several markers of haemostasis activation and inflammation were determined.

RESULTS

Patients did not differ from controls in most of the conventional risk factors and the presence of most forms of thrombophilia, although in seven (17.5%) patients the weak presence of lupus anticoagulants was observed. Patients had significantly increased overall haemostasis and coagulation potential, increased soluble P-selectin and D-dimer, decreased overall fibrinolysis potential and increased fibrinogen and C-reactive protein compared to controls. The subgroups of patients receiving antiplatelet treatment, with thrombophilia and recurrent acute cerebral ischaemia, did not differ significantly from the other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In young patients long after acute cerebral ischaemia an imbalance in the haemostatic system and a minor, but significant degree of inflammation was detected. The mechanisms behind haemostatic imbalance seem to be enhanced thrombin generation, platelet activation and depressed fibrinolysis.

Trauma-induced extracranial internal carotid artery dissection leading to multiple infarcts in a young girl

Carotid artery dissections (CADs) represent an uncommon clinical condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young individuals presenting with symptoms of stroke. The basic pathological changes in CAD include a disruption in the media or intima of arterial wall, through which the affected vasculature is predisposed to aneurysm or stenosis, and subsequent stroke. Carotid artery dissection may occur spontaneously or result from trauma, an underlying arteriopathic condition, or predisposing risk factors. The heterogeneous clinical presentations of CAD represent significant diagnostic difficulties, which often lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Further complicating the clinical picture is the lack of consensus regarding effective treatment modalities. Because of the often-subtle findings present in CAD, the treating physician must have a high index of suspicion to accurately diagnose and manage the condition. We report extracranial internal CAD in a 17-year-old girl leading to multiple infarcts that was successfully managed with initial antiplatelet therapy and subsequent anticoagulation.

Long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke in young adults. Study of 272 cases

BACKGROUND

There have been few studies of the long-term prognosis of young adults with ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome in a large series of young adults with ischemic stroke admitted to a tertiary medical center over the last 27 years, and to identify possible predictors for mortality, stroke recurrence and poor functional recovery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 272 young adults (15-45 years) with a first-ever ischemic stroke admitted to the Neurology Department of University Hospital "12 de Octubre" between 1974 and 2001. Follow-up assessments were performed by review of medical records and telephone interviews.

RESULTS

Nine patients (3%) died as the result of their initial stroke and follow-up information about the status of 23 (8%) patients was not available. The remaining 240 patients (89%) were followed. Two hundred and ten of them (88%) were alive with a mean follow-up of 12.3 years and 30 (12%) died during follow-up. The average annual mortality rate was 1.4%, being notably higher during the first (4.9%) than in the subsequent years (0.9%) after the initial stroke. Ninety per cent of the followed patients were independent and 53% returned to work, although adjustments were necessary for 23% of them. The annual stroke recurrence rate during the first year was 3.6% dropping to 1.7% in subsequent years. Age over 35 years, male gender, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and large-artery atherosclerosis in the carotid territory were predictors of negative long-term outcome after the initial stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term prognosis for the ischemic stroke in the young is better than in the elderly, but the risk of mortality in young adults with ischemic stroke is much higher than in the general population of the same age. A bad prognosis is associated with an atherosclerotic risk profile, with a higher mortality and recurrent stroke rates and poorer functional recovery. The main functional limitation in the young survivors of their initial ischemic stroke occurs in work activity, since most patients are independent but almost half of them do not return to work.

Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). Chapter 8. Sick leave due to coronary artery disease or stroke

The assessment of the literature on sick-leave with cardiovascular diseases include only studies with sufficient scientific quality. These studies describe sick leave following stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We found limited scientific evidence for the following results: After stroke, more than half of the patients of working age returned to work (RTW) during the first year following onset (higher rate for the younger patients). The consequences of brain damage, e.g. impaired ADL ability or cognitive capacity, play an important role in this respect. Also after myocardial infarction most patients RTW. PCI is a milder coronary artery intervention than CABG and RTW is more rapid. However, in the long run there are no differences in sick leave. People at higher ages or with physically demanding jobs return to work to a lesser degree. An international comparison shows that the duration of sick leave due to these conditions in Sweden is longer than in other countries although there is no scientific evidence to support this practice. It appears that the interest in research on sick leave in patients with cardiovascular diseases has waned in recent years. Developments in acute cardiological care should inspire renewed scientific involvement in this area of research.

Long-term outcome of cerebral infarction in young adults

OBJECTIVES

We analysed the long-term outcome of 232 young adults aged 15-49 years with first-ever cerebral infarction in 1988-1997 in western Norway.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Mortality, recurrence, epilepsy, functional state as evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS), and employment were analysed at follow-up (mean time 5.7 years).

RESULTS

Twenty-three (9.9%) patients had died. Recurrence occurred in 9.9%, and post-stroke seizures developed in 10.5%. Recurrence was associated with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.005). Favourable functional outcome (mRS = 2) was found in 77.9%. The functional outcome was better in posterior than anterior circulation infarctions (P = 0.011). Unfavourable functional outcome (mRS > 2) was associated with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.001) and severity of neurological deficits on admission for the index stroke (P < 0.001). Only 58.3% were employed at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This population-based study shows that, although the majority had favourable functional outcome, cerebral infarction had major long-term impact on young adults as evaluated by mortality, recurrence and employment status.

[Stroke in young adults]

Stroke in young adults (15-45 years) is a rare condition. Up to 10% of patients with a first stroke admitted to the hospital belong in this age group. Stroke in the young patient is different from stroke in the elderly in several aspects such as etiology and prognosis. Usually, the management of stroke in young adults warrants an exhaustive etiological work-up. In this article, we review the most relevant issues in the study of young adults who suffer from stroke.

Incidence and short-term outcome of cerebral infarction in young adults in western Norway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We sought to determine the incidence and short-term outcome of people aged 15 to 49 years with first-ever cerebral infarction in 1988-1997 in Hordaland County, Norway.

METHODS

Cases were found from computer search of hospital registries and detailed review of patient records. Stroke subtype was classified according to the major intracranial artery affected. Short-term outcome was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

A total of 96 women and 136 men met the inclusion criteria. The average annual incidence was 11.4/100 000. Women outnumbered men among those aged <30 years (P=0.059); men predominated among those aged > or =30 years (P=0.004). A total of 148 patients had anterior circulation infarction (64%), and 84 had posterior circulation infarction (36%) (P<0.001). Patients with posterior circulation infarction had better mRS score at discharge (P=0.005). Eighty percent had favorable outcome (mRS score < or =2). The 30-day case fatality rate was 3.4%. The recurrence rate in hospital was 2.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence was in the lower range compared with other reports from western Europe. Although men predominated, there was a strong trend toward more women among patients aged <30 years. Short-term outcome was generally good. Patients with posterior circulation infarction had significantly better short-term outcome.

Spontaneous carotid and vertebral artery dissection in children

Carotid and vertebral artery dissection is a rarely reported cause of stroke in childhood and adolescence, especially if there is not a direct trauma to the neck. Four patients, under 15 years of age, presented with an internal carotid artery dissection, and one patient presented with a vertebral artery dissection. They were all making a physical effort when the event occurred. The five patients had ischemic symptoms, and in two the events were preceded by transient ischemic attacks. Headache was associated in four patients. The diagnosis was made by magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, which included transfemoral angiography in two patients. All improved before leaving the hospital, and four patients did not suffer recurrent episodes. The diagnostic accuracy of artery dissection has improved because of noninvasive neuroimaging testing, but it should still be suspected in any pediatric ischemic stroke, especially if there is headache or cervical pain associated.

Stroke in young adults and children

Data from studies of 337 children and 1606 young adults are summarized to identify the major causes of stroke in these age groups. In children under 15 years of age, stroke occurs in patients with congenital heart disease, nonatherosclerotic vasculopathies, infection, and hematologic defects like sickle cell disease. In patients 15 to 35 years of age, dissection, cardioembolism, nonatheroslerotic vasculopathies, and prothrombotic states cause a significant percentage of strokes. In adults over 35 years of age, traditional atherosclerotic risk factors predominate. Lifestyle choices (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use) can significantly increase the rate of stroke among young adults in a community. Limited access to healthcare may increase the role of infectious disease and peripartum complications.

Occlusive vascular diseases in oral contraceptive users. Epidemiology, pathology and mechanisms

Despite being an unprecedented departure from normal physiology, the combined oral contraceptive is not only highly effective, but it also has a remarkably good safety record. Concerns over safety persist, though, particularly with regard to venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Epidemiological studies consistently show an increase in risk of VTE, but the results are more contentious with regard to arterial diseases. Despite 40 years of research, the mechanisms behind these adverse effects are not understood. In this review, we integrate information from published studies of the epidemiology and pathology of the occlusive vascular diseases and their risk factors to identify likely explanations for pathogenesis in oral contraceptive users. Oral contraceptives induce both prothrombotic and fibrinolytic changes in haemostatic factors and an imbalance in haemostasis is likely to be important in oral contraceptive-induced VTE. The complexity of the changes involved and the difficulty of ascribing clinical significance has meant that uncertainty persists. A seriously under-researched area concerns vascular changes in oral contraceptive users. Histologically, endothelial and intimal proliferation have been identified in women exposed to high plasma estrogen concentrations and these lesions are associated with thrombotic occlusion. Other structural changes may result in increased vascular permeability, loss of vascular tone and venous stasis. With regard to arterial disease risk, epidemiological information relating to dose effects and joint effects with other risk factors, and studies of pathology and changes in risk factors, suggests that oral contraceptive use per se does not cause arterial disease. It can, nevertheless, synergise very powerfully with subclinical endothelial damage to promote arterial occlusion. Accordingly, the prothrombotic effects of the oral contraceptive estrogen intervene in a cycle of endothelial damage and repair which would otherwise remain clinically silent or would ultimately progress - in, for example, the presence of cigarette smoking or hypertension - to atherosclerosis. Future work in this area should focus on modification of the effects of established risk factors by oral contraceptive use rather than modification of the supposed risk of oral contraceptive use by established risk factors. Attempts to understand vascular occlusion in oral contraceptive users in terms of the general features of VTE or with reference to atherosclerosis may be limiting, and future work needs to acknowledge that such occlusions may have unique features. Unequivocal identification of the mechanisms involved would contribute considerably to the alleviation of fears over vascular disease and to the development of even safer formulations.

Clinical guidelines on contraception and diabetes

Diabetic women present an interesting challenge to the reproductive health-care physician and gynecologist. Good preconceptual counselling reduces the risk of adverse consequences of the pregnancy to the mother and the fetus and should be encouraged. Poor metabolic control has been linked with an increased risk of congenital malformations. The low-dose combined pill (COC) does not appear to increase the risk of diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Young healthy diabetic women under 25 years old may be prescribed the low-dose COC with careful metabolic monitoring. The copper intrauterine contraceptive device is a useful choice in diabetic women with vascular disease, proliferative retinopathy and nephropathy. The progestogen-only pill and barrier methods may sometimes have unacceptable failure rates in diabetic women who may require to avoid a pregnancy at any cost. When a couple's family is complete, sterilization and vasectomy should be encouraged.

Causes of ischaemic stroke in the young

The causes of ischaemic stroke in young adults are many and diverse. Such patients usually require more extensive investigations in order to find an underlying cause than more elderly patients. It is important that a comprehensive search is made since many of the underlying disorders are treatable. Principal causes are extracranial arterial dissection, cardioembolism, premature atherosclerosis, haematological and immunological disorders and migraine. Drug abuse is becoming increasingly important but the risk of stroke in pregnancy remains unclear. Isolated angiitis of the central nervous system, heritable disorders of connective tissue and other genetically determined disorders (mitochondrial cytopathies, CA-DASIL) account for a small proportion of ischaemic strokes in the young. Management is probably best undertaken by a physician with a specialist interest and, if full investigation fails to elucidate a definite cause, the risk of future stoke is low.

Carotid arterial dissection as a cause of severe brain infarction in young adults

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the occurrence of cervicocerebral arterial dissection in young adults, we examined the etiology of first-ever brain infarction and the timing of angiography.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-four subjects with first stroke aged 16 to 49 years, admitted to the Helsinki University Hospital between 1983 and 1990 were included. Seventy-eight percent of the angiographies were performed more than 1 week after the onset of stroke symptoms.

RESULTS

We identified 19 (10%) subjects with carotid arterial dissection and none with vertebral arterial dissection. Mortality attributed to ischemic stroke caused by carotid arterial dissection was high (26%). With longer time between onset of stroke symptoms and angiography, dissection was a rarer finding (P < .01), and there were more angiographies with no findings (P < .05). Trauma (P < .001) and headache (P < .05) preceded onset of stroke more frequently in these patients than in others.

CONCLUSIONS

Prompt imaging of the cervicocerebral arteries is indicated if the patient has preceding trauma or complains of headache and/or neck pain.

Spontaneous extracranial carotid artery dissection in children

Dissection of cerebral arteries as a cause of stroke is rarely recognized in children. Two patients with stroke due to extracranial carotid artery dissection are reported. A 7-year-old girl with a 2-week history of right arm chorea had a left basal ganglia infarct and is receiving haloperidol for persistent chorea. The second patient, a 15-year-old boy, developed aphasia and right hemiparesis a day before admission during a football game without obvious trauma. He had a large left middle cerebral artery infarct and died of cerebral edema and herniation. We believe that strokes due to arterial dissection are more common than currently recognized, partly because of a lack of history of trauma, and suggest that cerebral artery dissection be considered as an etiology of childhood strokes. Greater awareness of arterial dissection as a cause of stroke and availability of noninvasive techniques like magnetic resonance angiography should result in a more accurate diagnosis and improved prognosis in these patients.

Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection: early diagnosis and management in 44 patients

First symptoms and initial clinical, ultrasonographic and neuroradiological findings ascertained a mean of 5.6 days (SD = 5.6 days), 7.7 days (7.0), and 11.2 days (8.0) after symptom onset were analysed in 44 patients who suffered a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection (ICD) verified by magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, or both. Common symptoms signalling dissection were unilateral headache in 68%, transient ischaemic attack in 20%, and cerebral infarction in 9%. Severe pain preceded cerebral ischaemia by more than 3 days in 60% of those patients who eventually suffered a stroke. However, only 2 were admitted because of pain alone and 33 for evolving neurological deficits. During the first month, ipsilateral severe headache occurred in 89%, neck pain in 36%, ipsilateral cerebral ischaemia in 82%, ocular ischaemia in 16%, oculosympathetic palsy in 48%, and cranial nerve palsy in 5%. Recent "trivial" head or neck trauma was elicited in 41%. Doppler and duplex sonography confirmed the clinical suspicion of ICD in 91.5% and in 96% of those with a significant stenosis or occlusion. MRI demonstrated a thickened vessel wall in all 33 imaged carotid dissections and a mural haematoma in 30. None of the 32 patients who received anticoagulant treatment subsequently deteriorated. Monitoring anticoagulant treatment with ultrasonographic follow-up studies demonstrated recanalization in 70% and persistent occlusion in 30%. The results demonstrate that familiarity with the initial symptoms, especially headache, and performance of an ultrasonographic study without delay are the cornerstones of an early diagnosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oral contraceptives, pregnancy and the risk of cerebral thromboembolism: the influence of diabetes, hypertension, migraine and previous thrombotic disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk of developing cerebral thromboembolism among pregnant women and among fertile women with hypertension, migraine, diabetes, and previous thrombotic disease, and to investigate the interaction of these risk factors with the use of oral contraceptives.

DESIGN

A retrospective case-control study.

SETTING

All gynaecological, medical, neurological, and neurosurgical departments in Danish hospitals.

SUBJECTS

Seven hundred and ninety-four women in Denmark aged 15 to 44 who suffered a cerebral thromboembolic attack during the period 1985 to 1989 and 1588 age-matched, randomly selected controls.

RESPONSE

Of the 692 case and 1584 control questionnaires sent out, 590 (85.1%) and 1396 (88.1%), respectively, were returned. Of the 590 cases, nine had had cerebral thrombosis before 1980, 15 refused to participate, 44 had a revised diagnosis (primarily multiple sclerosis) and 25 had an unreliable diagnosis, leaving 497 with a reliable cerebral thromboembolic diagnosis. Among the 1396 controls, 26 either refused to participate, were mentally handicapped, lived abroad or returned an uncompleted questionnaire, leaving 1370 controls included in the study.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, pregnancy implied an odds ratio (OR) for a cerebral thromboembolic attack of 1.3 (nonsignificant), diabetes an OR of 5.4 (P < 0.001), hypertension an OR of 3.1 (P < 0.001) and migraine an OR of 2.8 (P < 0.01). Women with previous non-cerebral thrombotic disease had an OR for cerebral thrombo-embolism of 5.3 (P < 0.001). Women with other predisposing medical diseases had an OR of 8.3 (P < 0.001). These ORs were identical among users and non-users of combined oral contraceptives.

CONCLUSION

In this study pregnancy implied a non-significant elevated odds ratio of 1.3 for cerebral thromboembolism whereas diabetes, hypertension, migraine and past thromboembolic events increased the risk of cerebral thromboembolism significantly. Women with these increased thrombotic risks should use oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives only after careful considerations of the risks, if at all.

Prognosis after transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke in young adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We undertook this study to describe the risk of stroke recurrence and functional and occupational status in the long-term follow-up of young adults with ischemic strokes and to identify possible predictors for stroke recurrence, disability, and working status.

METHODS

A cohort of 215 patients aged < or = 45 years with ischemic cerebral events (43 transient ischemic attacks, 135 minor strokes, 37 major strokes), evaluated at our institution from May 1985 through March 1992, was followed for a mean of 43.1 months (SD, 39.7 months; range, 1 to 228 months). Information on death and recurrent cerebral vascular events, functional disability (Rankin Scale), retirement, and working status was obtained from direct observation, mail questionnaire, and telephone interviews.

RESULTS

Four patients (2%) with major strokes died acutely. Information on stroke recurrence and disability was available for 184 (87%) of the survivors and on retirement and working status for 140 (67%) of the patients. Two patients died from cancer. Seven transient ischemic attacks and eight strokes (two hemorrhagic) occurred during follow-up. Patients with strokes of unknown cause experienced no recurrent strokes, contrasting with two deaths and eight strokes in those whose stroke cause was identified (difference between proportions: 8%; 95% confidence interval, 3 to 13). Eighty-eight patients had a complete recovery, and only 21 were disabled (Rankin grades 4 or 5). Logistic regression analysis identified the severity of the initial stroke (Rankin grade > 3) as the only significant predictor of disability (odds ratio, 10.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 30.6). Of the survivors, 73% were working, and only 18% were retired. Disability at follow-up was the best (but nonsignificant) predictor of retirement (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 3.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic stroke in young adults has a low acute mortality and few recurrences, more so if the cause is not identified. The majority of patients return to an active professional life. Severity of the initial stroke is the major predictor of independence. The relation between disability and return to work or retirement is less clear.

Brain infarct causes under the age of fifty: a comparison between an east-Asian (Thai) and a western (Dutch) hospital series

Proportion and causes of brain infarction among young persons may differ between Western world and developing countries, which may require different diagnostic and treatment strategies. We compared a Thai series of 56 hospitalized brain infarct patients younger than 50 years (16% of 357 similar patients from all ages) with a series of 55 Dutch patients (8% of 694 patients). The Thai patients had 12% (95% confidence interval: 3-21) more often a cardioembolic stroke cause, due to a higher frequency of rheumatic heart disease in the Thai series. The percentage of patients with atherothrombotic stroke cause was higher in the Dutch series, whereas the percentage of those with hematologic abnormalities, or those with vasculopathies did not differ. Patients in the Thai series had 17% (95% confidence interval: 7-27) more often an unidentified stroke cause, which was probably related to less extensive ancillary investigations compared with the Dutch series. We conclude that especially centers in developing countries that treat young stroke patients should be supplied with ancillary testing facilities, such as cardiac echo, carotid ultrasound, and some laboratory facilities. Early treatment of infections, especially acute rheumatic fever, could lower the incidence of stroke in the young.