Comments on 'computed tomographic parameters predicting fatal outcome in large middle cerebral artery infarction'

Risk Factors for Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Severe Stroke Patients

Background

Severe stroke patients have poor clinical outcome which may be associated with development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate independent risk factors for development of MODS in severe stroke patients.

Methods

Ninety seven severe stroke patients were prospective recruited from Jan 2011 to Jun 2015. The development of MODS was identified by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (score ≥ 3, at least two organs), which was assessed on day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after admission. Baseline characteristics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Glasgow coma score (GCS) and cerebral imaging parameters were collected at admission. Cox regression was performed to determine predictors for the development of MODS. Medical complications after admission and in-hospital mortality were also investigated.

Results

33 (34%) patients were in MODS group and 64 (66%) were in non-MODS group within 14 days after admission. Patients in MODS group had more smoker (51.5% vs 28.1%, p = 0.023), higher NIHSS score (23.48 ± 6.12 vs 19.81 ± 4.83, p = 0.004), higher APACHE II score (18.70 ± 5.18 vs 15.64 ± 4.36, p = 0.003) and lower GCS score (6.33 ± 2.48 vs 8.14 ± 2.73, p = 0.002). They also had higher rate of infarction in multi vascular territories (36.4% vs 10.9%, p = 0.003). The most common complication in all patients was pulmonary infection, while complication scores were comparable between two groups. Patients with MODS had higher in-hospital mortality (69.7% vs 9.4%, p = 0.000). In Cox regression, NIHSS score (RR = 1.084, 95% CI 1.019–1.153) and infarction in multi vascular territories (RR = 2.345 95% CI 1.105–4.978) were independent risk factors for development of MODS.

Conclusions

In acute phase of stroke, NIHSS score and infarction in multi vascular territories predicted MODS in severe stroke patients. Moreover, patients with MODS had higher in-hospital mortality, suggesting that early identification of MODS is critical important.

Midline-shift corresponds to the amount of brain edema early after hemispheric stroke--an MRI study in rats

Vasogenic brain edema formation is a serious complication in hemispheric stroke. Its space-occupying effect can lead to midline-shift (MLS), cerebral herniation, and death. Clinical studies indicate that quantification of MLS can predict cerebral herniation and subsequent death at early time-points, even before clinical deterioration becomes apparent. The present experimental study was designed to determine the relation between MLS, absolute edema volume, lesion size, and clinical findings in a rat stroke model. Middle cerebral artery-occlusion was performed in 24 rats using the suture technique. Clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Bruker PharmaScan 7.0T) was performed 24 hours later. Lesion volume, the volume-increase within the affected hemisphere (%HEV), and MLS were quantified on T2-weighted images. The absolute increase of hemispheric water content (DeltaH2O) was determined in a subgroup using the wet-dry method (n=12). MLS correlated significantly with the total amount of brain edema (magnetic resonance imaging study: r=0.82; P<0.01; wet-dry analysis r=0.80; P<0.01). MLS correlated only moderately with T2-lesion volume (r=0.55; P<0.01). No significant correlation could be detected between MLS and clinical scores (r=0.26; P>0.05). MLS thus quantitatively reflects the amount of vasogenic brain edema within the affected hemisphere at early time-points. MLS quantification can be regarded as an easily assessable and valid global quantitative parameter for brain edema and thus might facilitate the surgical and nonsurgical management of edema in acute stroke patients.