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Palaiodimou L, Papagiannopoulou G, Bakola E, Papadopoulou M, Kokotis P, Moschovos C, Vrettou AR, Kapsia E, Petras D, Anastasakis A, Lionaki S, Vlachopoulos C, Boletis IN, Zompola C, Tsivgoulis G. Impaired cerebral autoregulation in Fabry disease: A case-control study. J Neuroimaging 2023. [PMID: 37147184 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral small vessel disease is a common manifestation among patients with Fabry disease (FD). As a biomarker of cerebral small vessel disease, the prevalence of impaired cerebral autoregulation as assessed by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography was evaluated in FD patients and healthy controls. METHODS TCD was performed to assess pulsatility index (PI) and vasomotor reactivity expressed by breath-holding index (BHI) for the middle cerebral arteries of included FD patients and healthy controls. Prevalence of increased PI (>1.2) and decreased BHI (<0.69) and ultrasound indices of cerebral autoregulation were compared in FD patients and controls. The potential association of ultrasound indices of impaired cerebral autoregulation with white matter lesions and leukoencephalopathy on brain MRI in FD patients was also evaluated. RESULTS Demographics and vascular risk factors were similar in 23 FD patients (43% women, mean age: 51 ± 13 years) and 46 healthy controls (43% women, mean age: 51 ± 13 years). The prevalence of increased PI (39%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 20%-61%), decreased BHI (39%; 95% CI: 20%-61%), and the combination of increased PI and/or decreased BHI (61%; 95% CI: 39%-80%) was significantly (p < .001) higher in FD patients compared to healthy controls (2% [95% CI: 0.1%-12%], 2% [95% CI: 0.1%-12%], and 4% [95% CI: 0.1%-15%], respectively). However, indices of abnormal cerebral autoregulation were not associated independently with white matter hyperintensities and presented a low-to-moderate predictive ability for the discrimination of FD patients with and without white matter hyperintensities. CONCLUSIONS Impaired cerebral autoregulation as assessed by TCD appears to be highly more prevalent among FD patients compared to healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Palaiodimou
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Papagiannopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Papadopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kokotis
- First Department of Neurology, "Eginition" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Moschovos
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Agathi-Rosa Vrettou
- Second Department of Cardiology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kapsia
- Clinic of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Petras
- Nephrology Department, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aris Anastasakis
- Unit of Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Lionaki
- Second Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, "Attikon" University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis N Boletis
- Clinic of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Zompola
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Kargiotis O, Psychogios K, Safouris A, Spiliopoulos S, Karapanayiotides T, Bakola E, Mantatzis M, Dardiotis E, Ellul J, Giannopoulos S, Magoufis G, Tsivgoulis G. Diagnosis and treatment of acute isolated proximal internal carotid artery occlusions: a narrative review. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2022; 15:17562864221136335. [PMID: 36437850 PMCID: PMC9685148 DOI: 10.1177/17562864221136335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical manifestations of proximal (extracranial) internal carotid artery occlusions (pICAOs) may range from asymptomatic to acute, large, and devastating ischemic strokes. The etiology and pathophysiology of the occlusion, intracranial collateral status and patient's premorbid status are among the factors determining the clinical presentation and outcome of pICAOs. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial and may be assisted by the combination of carotid and transcranial duplex sonography, or a computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography (CTA/MRA). It should be noted that with either imaging modalities, the discrimination of a pseudo-occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) from a true pICAO may not be straightforward. In the absence of randomized data, the management of acute, symptomatic pICAOs remains individualized and relies largely on expert opinion. Administration of intravenous thrombolysis is reasonable and probably beneficial in the settings of acute ischemic stroke with early presentation. Unfortunately, rates of recanalization are rather low and acute interventional reperfusion therapies emerge as a potentially powerful therapeutic option for patients with persistent and severe symptoms. However, none of the pivotal clinical trials on mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke randomized patients with isolated extracranial large vessel occlusions. On the contrary, several lines of evidence from non-randomized studies have shown that acute carotid endarterectomy, or endovascular thrombectomy/stenting of the ICA are feasible and safe, and pοtentially beneficial. The heterogeneity in the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of acute pICAOs renders patient selection for an acute interventional treatment a complicated decision-making process. The present narrative review will outline the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and possible treatment options for pICAOs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Apostolos Safouris
- Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, Piraeus,
Greece
- Second Department of Neurology, National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ‘Attikon’ University
General Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Aktios Rehabilitation Center, Koropi,
Greece
| | - Stavros Spiliopoulos
- Second Department of Radiology, Interventional
Radiology Unit, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodore Karapanayiotides
- Second Department of Neurology, School of
Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, AHEPA University General Hospital,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ‘Attikon’ University
General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Michail Mantatzis
- Department of Radiology, Interventional
Neuroradiology Unit, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital
of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa,
Greece
| | - John Ellul
- Department of Neurology, University General
Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Sotirios Giannopoulos
- Second Department of Neurology, National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ‘Attikon’ University
General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Schlachetzki F, Nedelmann M, Eyding J, Ritter M, Schminke U, Schulte-Altedorneburg G, Köhrmann M, Harrer JU. Sonografisches Neuromonitoring auf der Stroke Unit und in der
neurologischen Intensivmedizin. KLIN NEUROPHYSIOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1810-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die
aktuellen diagnostischen Einsatzmöglichkeiten sonographischer Anwendung
in der neurologischen Intensivmedizin.
Methoden Selektive Literaturrecherche mit kritischer Beurteilung ab dem
Jahr 1984 sowie nationaler und internationaler Leitlinien sowie
Expertenmeinung.
Ergebnisse Neben der raschen validen Abklärung akuter
Schlaganfälle bieten verschiedene neurosonografische
Monitoring-verfahren gerade in der Intensivmedizin spezifische Vorteile wie die
beliebig häufige Wiederholbarkeit am Patientenbett selbst und die
Darstellung in Echtzeit. Innovative Entwicklungen machen die Neurosonografie
auch wissenschaftlich zu einem interessanten Gebiet.
Schlussfolgerung Die neurosonografische Diagnostik nimmt seit Jahren einen
wichtigen Stellenwert in der neurologischen Intensivmedizin ein. Weitere
Anstrengungen sind notwendig, um die Verbreitung der Methode zu fördern
und durch wissenschaftliche Evidenz zu stärken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Schlachetzki
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie der Universität
Regensburg, Zentrum für Vaskuläre Neurologie und
Intensivmedizin, medbo Bezirksklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie,
Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg
| | - Max Nedelmann
- Klinik für Neurologie, Regio Kliniken Pinneberg,
Pinneberg
| | - Jens Eyding
- Abteilung für Neurologie, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke und
Medizinische Fakultät der Ruhr-Universität Bochum,
Bochum
| | | | - Ulf Schminke
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald,
Greifswald
| | | | | | - Judith U. Harrer
- Neurologische Praxis in der Villa Pfahler, St. Ingbert
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH
Aachen, Aachen
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4
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Evaluation of neurosonology versus digital subtraction angiography in acute stroke patients. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 91:378-382. [PMID: 34373055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the most common neurological disorders with a high incidence in Middle-eastern regions. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of neurovascular ultrasound to detect of cerebral artery stenosis compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as a gold standard method. Eighty patients presenting with symptoms of cerebral ischemia were enrolled in the study. They were examined by cervical color Doppler ultrasound and TCCS to determine stenosis of extracranial and intracranial arteries, respectively. DSA was performed 24-48 h after the initial examination. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of neurovascular ultrasound in comparison to DSA were calculated. The agreement between the two methods was determined by kappa statistics. Eighty patients (60% male, 40% female) with a mean age of 61.32 ± 12.6 years were included. In 65% of patients, stenosis in carotid artery caused ischemic symptoms. We did not observe any stenosis in anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery and basilar artery in patients. The agreement between the neurovascular ultrasound and DSA in various arterial vessels was 0.9 for common carotid artery, 0.86 for internal carotid artery, 0.78 for middle cerebral artery, and 0.86 for vertebral artery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and kappa value of the neurovascular ultrasound for detecting stenosis regarding the arterial segments were 84.8%, 81%, 92.6%, 65.4%, 83.8, and 0.71, respectively. In conclusion, the neurovascular ultrasound is a valuable, non-invasive, and repeatable method to investigate cerebral artery stenosis with high diagnostic accuracy.
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Psychogios K, Magoufis G, Kargiotis O, Safouris A, Bakola E, Chondrogianni M, Zis P, Stamboulis E, Tsivgoulis G. Ultrasound Assessment of Extracranial Carotids and Vertebral Arteries in Acute Cerebral Ischemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56120711. [PMID: 33353035 PMCID: PMC7765801 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56120711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Assessing ischemic etiology and mechanism during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke is crucial in order to tailor and monitor appropriate treatment and determine prognosis. Cervical Duplex Ultrasound (CDU) has evolved since many years as an excellent screening tool for the evaluation of extracranial vasculature. CDU has the advantages of a low cost, easily applicable, bed side examination with high temporal and spatial resolution and without exposing the patients to any significant complications. It represents an easily repeatable test that can be performed in the emergency room as a first-line examination of cervical artery pathology. CDU provides well validated estimates of the type of the atherosclerotic plaque, the degree of stenosis, as well as structural and hemodynamic information directly about extracranial vessels (e.g., subclavian steal syndrome) and indirectly about intracranial circulation. CDU may also aid the diagnosis of non-atherosclerotic lesions of vessel walls including dissections, arteritis, carotid-jugular fistulas and fibromuscular dysplasias. The present narrative review outlines all potential applications of CDU in acute stroke management and also highlights its potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klearchos Psychogios
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.B.); (M.C.)
- School of Medicine, University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Magoufis
- Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece;
| | - Odysseas Kargiotis
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Apostolos Safouris
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Maria Chondrogianni
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Panagiotis Zis
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | - Elefterios Stamboulis
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.B.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Caballero-Lozada AF, Nanwani KL, Pavón F, Zorrilla-Vaca A, Zorrilla-Vaca C. Clinical Applications of Ultrasonography in Neurocritically Ill Patients. J Intensive Care Med 2020; 36:627-634. [PMID: 32153247 DOI: 10.1177/0885066620905796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonography is part of the multimodal monitoring of the neurocritical patient. Through transcranial color Doppler ultrasound, carotid-color Doppler ultrasound, and ocular ultrasound it is possible to diagnose and monitor a multitude of pathological conditions, such as cerebrovascular events, vasospasm, Terson syndrome, carotid atheromatosis, and brain death. Furthermore, these techniques enable the monitoring of the intracranial pressure, the cerebral perfusion pressure, and the midline deviation, which allows us to understand the patient's neurocritical pathology at their bedside, in a noninvasive way. Although none of these tools have yet been shown to improve patient prognosis, the dissemination of knowledge and management of neurovascular ultrasonography could significantly improve the comprehensive management of neurocritical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kapil Laxman Nanwani
- Department of Intensive Medicine, 16268University Hospital La Paz-Cantoblanco-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Favio Pavón
- Department of Anaesthesiology, 28006Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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7
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Lattanzi S, Carbonari L, Pagliariccio G, Cagnetti C, Luzzi S, Bartolini M, Buratti L, Provinciali L, Silvestrini M. Predictors of cognitive functioning after carotid revascularization. J Neurol Sci 2019; 405:116435. [PMID: 31487558 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade carotid stenosis can affect cognition, but the relationship between stenosis correction and cognitive outcome is not fully understood, yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of post-operative neurocognitive functioning in patients with symptomatic severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with history of transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months and ipsilateral high-grade stenosis of ICA undergoing CEA were prospectively enrolled. Cerebral hemodynamics was assessed by means of the cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVR) to hypercapnia measured through transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Coloured Progressive Matrices plus Complex Figure Copy Test, and phonemic plus categorical (ca) Verbal Fluency tests were performed to assess right and left hemisphere cognitive functions, respectively. Cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive functions were assessed before and 6 months after CEA. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-one patients were included. The mean age was 73.2 (6.9) years and 121 (66.9%) were males. At 6 months from CEA, the scores obtained in the cognitive tests exploring the re-vascularized hemisphere's functions and ipsilateral cerebral hemodynamics were improved. At multivariate linear regression analysis, the 6-month change in cognitive performance was inversely associated with age [ß = -0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.22 to -0.12; p < .001] and CVR value obtained before CEA on the side of ICA stenosis (ß = -6.25, 95% CI -7.40 to -5.10; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with symptomatic high-grade ICA stenosis, age and cerebral hemodynamic status before CEA predicted the neurocognitive performance changes after surgical stenosis correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
| | | | | | - Claudia Cagnetti
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Luzzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Bartolini
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Buratti
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Leandro Provinciali
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mauro Silvestrini
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
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Kargiotis O, Psychogios K, Safouris A, Magoufis G, Zervas PD, Stamboulis E, Tsivgoulis G. The Role of Transcranial Doppler Monitoring in Patients with Multi‐Territory Acute Embolic Strokes: A Review. J Neuroimaging 2019; 29:309-322. [DOI: 10.1111/jon.12602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Apostolos Safouris
- Stroke UnitMetropolitan Hospital Piraeus Greece
- Second Department of NeurologyNational & Kapodistiran University of Athens, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital Athens Greece
| | | | - Paschalis D. Zervas
- Second Department of NeurologyNational & Kapodistiran University of Athens, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital Athens Greece
| | | | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of NeurologyNational & Kapodistiran University of Athens, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital Athens Greece
- Department of NeurologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis TN
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Tsivgoulis G, Safouris A, Kim DE, Alexandrov AV. Recent Advances in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Stroke. J Stroke 2018; 20:145-166. [PMID: 29886715 PMCID: PMC6007302 DOI: 10.5853/jos.2018.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke that can be effectively prevented with appropriate lifestyle modifications and control of cardiovascular risk factors. Medical advances in recent years along with aggressive cardiovascular risk factor modifications have resulted in decreased recurrence rates of atherosclerotic stroke. Non-statin lipid-lowering molecules have recently shown clinical benefit and are recommended for very high-risk patients to reduce their risk of stroke. Aggressive hypertension treatment is crucial to reduce atherosclerotic stroke risk. Advances in antithrombotic treatments include combinations of antiplatelets and new antiplatelet agents in the acute phase post-stroke, which carries a high risk of recurrence. Intensive medical treatment has also limited the indications for carotid interventions, especially for asymptomatic disease. Intracranial atherosclerotic disease may provoke stroke through various mechanisms; it is increasingly recognized as a cause of ischemic stroke with advanced imaging and is best managed with lifestyle modifications and medical therapy. The diagnostic search for the vulnerable culprit atherosclerotic plaque is an area of intense research, from the level of the intracranial arteries to that of the aortic arch. Ultrasonography and novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques (high-resolution vessel-wall imaging) may assist in the identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques as the underlying cause in cryptogenic or misdiagnosed non-atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. Vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic disease is less common than carotid artery disease; thus, high-quality data on effective prevention strategies are scarcer. However, aggressive medical treatment is also the gold standard to reduce cerebrovascular disease located in posterior circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Apostolos Safouris
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
- Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, Pireus, Greece
| | - Dong-Eog Kim
- Department of Neurology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Andrei V. Alexandrov
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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