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Zhao C, Liu Y, Ma Y, Wu S, Gong J. Optimization of green spherical agglomeration process based on response surface methodology for preparation of high-performance spherical particles. Int J Pharm 2024; 662:124515. [PMID: 39074649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124515] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Spherical agglomeration (SA) is a processing technique that enhances the physical properties of particles, reduces the number of unit operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and improves process efficiency. However, one of the limitations of SA is its high nonlinearity, which makes scalability a challenge. This prospective study was designed to realize the optimization of SA process parameters of aspirin, the world's first and most widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, by developing a green SA model through response surface methodology. First, Plackett-Burman experiments were conducted to identify the key operating variables affecting SA, and Sustainability Index (STI) was defined to evaluate the effects of these operating variables on the SA and the energy input to the environment during the post-processing process. Furthermore, the effects of three independent variables on mean size, yield, and STI were investigated based on Box-Behnken design. A second-order regression equation with response values was developed to optimize the above three objectives. As a result, the spherical products were obtained with excellent powder properties, including anti-caking property, filtration property, and tableting performance compared to the raw materials. This work provides an experimental and modelling basis for the further application of this environmentally-friendly SA technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanbo Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Ma
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China; Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE113TU, United Kingdom
| | - Songgu Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junbo Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
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Ntaios G, Baumgartner H, Doehner W, Donal E, Edvardsen T, Healey JS, Iung B, Kamel H, Kasner SE, Korompoki E, Navi BB, Pristipino C, Saba L, Schnabel RB, Svennberg E, Lip GYH. Embolic strokes of undetermined source: a clinical consensus statement of the ESC Council on Stroke, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the European Heart Rhythm Association of the ESC. Eur Heart J 2024; 45:1701-1715. [PMID: 38685132 PMCID: PMC11107123 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
One in six ischaemic stroke patients has an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), defined as a stroke with unclear aetiology despite recommended diagnostic evaluation. The overall cardiovascular risk of ESUS is high and it is important to optimize strategies to prevent recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular events. The aim of clinicians when confronted with a patient not only with ESUS but also with any other medical condition of unclear aetiology is to identify the actual cause amongst a list of potential differential diagnoses, in order to optimize secondary prevention. However, specifically in ESUS, this may be challenging as multiple potential thromboembolic sources frequently coexist. Also, it can be delusively reassuring because despite the implementation of specific treatments for the individual pathology presumed to be the actual thromboembolic source, patients can still be vulnerable to stroke and other cardiovascular events caused by other pathologies already identified during the index diagnostic evaluation but whose thromboembolic potential was underestimated. Therefore, rather than trying to presume which particular mechanism is the actual embolic source in an ESUS patient, it is important to assess the overall thromboembolic risk of the patient through synthesis of the individual risks linked to all pathologies present, regardless if presumed causally associated or not. In this paper, a multi-disciplinary panel of clinicians/researchers from various backgrounds of expertise and specialties (cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, radiology and vascular surgery) proposes a comprehensive multi-dimensional assessment of the overall thromboembolic risk in ESUS patients through the composition of individual risks associated with all prevalent pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa University Hospital, Larissa 41132, Greece
| | - Helmut Baumgartner
- Department of Cardiology III: Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfram Doehner
- Department of Cardiology (Campus Virchow), Center of Stroke Research Berlin, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health-Center for Regenerative Therapies, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erwan Donal
- Service de Cardiologie et CIC-IT 1414, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeff S Healey
- Cardiology Division, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Bernard Iung
- Bichat Hospital, APHP and Université Paris-Cité, INSERM LVTS U1148, Paris, France
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott E Kasner
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eleni Korompoki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Babak B Navi
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Pristipino
- Interventional and Intensive Cardiology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari—Polo di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany
| | - Emma Svennberg
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Chen H, Qing T, Luo H, Yu M, Wang Y, Wei W, Xie Y, Yi X. Inflammation and endothelial function relevant genetic polymorphisms, carotid atherosclerosis, and vascular events in high-risk stroke population. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1405183. [PMID: 38827573 PMCID: PMC11144032 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1405183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim To identify the associations of 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in inflammation and endothelial function and carotid atherosclerosis with subsequent ischemic stroke and other vascular events in the high-risk stroke population. Methods This was a multicenter community-based sectional survey and prospective cohort study in Sichuan, southwestern China. Eight communities were randomly selected, and the residents in each community were surveyed using a structured face-to-face questionnaire. Carotid ultrasonography and DNA information were obtained from 2,377 out of 2,893 individuals belonging to a high-risk stroke population. Genotypes of the 19 SNPs in genes involved in inflammation and endothelial function were measured. All the 2,377 subjects were followed up for 4.7 years after the face-to-face survey. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke, and the secondary outcome was a composite of vascular events. Results Among the 2,377 subjects, 2,205 (92.8%) completed a 4.7-year follow-up, 947 (42.9%) had carotid atherosclerosis [372 (16.9%) carotid vulnerable plaque, 405 (18.4%) mean IMT > 0.9 mm, 285 (12.0%) carotid stenosis ≥15%]. Outcomes occurred in 158 (7.2%) subjects [92 (4.2%) ischemic stroke, 17 (0.8%) hemorrhagic stroke, 48 (2.2%) myocardial infarction, and 26 (1.2%) death] during follow-up. There was a significant gene-gene interaction among ITGA2 rs1991013, IL1A rs1609682, and HABP2 rs7923349 in the 19 SNPs. The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that carotid atherosclerosis and the high-risk interactive genotypes among the three SNPs were independent with a higher risk for ischemic stroke (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52-6.78, p = 0.004; and OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 2.12-9.27, p < 0.001, respectively) and composite vascular events (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.46-6.35, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.97-8.52, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was shown to be very high in the high-risk stroke population. Specific SNPs, interactions among them, and carotid atherosclerosis were independently associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke and other vascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chen
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Qing
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Hua Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Neurology, The Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanfen Wang
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingyang Yi
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
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Wen S, Naqvi TZ. 3-D transesophageal echocardiography aids in assessment of embolic stroke due to aortic atherosclerotic plaque: A case series. Echocardiography 2024; 41:e15799. [PMID: 38516862 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of heart disease and stroke. Plaque thickness ≥4 mm in the ascending aorta or aortic arch is strongly correlated with cerebral embolic events and ischemic stroke. However, despite imaging workup, the cause of embolic stroke remains unidentified in many patients. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the preferred echocardiographic method for the evaluation of cardiac source of emboli. 2D TEE imaging evaluates aortic root and aortic arch in a single plane or two planes with biplane imaging. However, 2D TEE often fails to detect mobile or complex components in the ascending aorta and aortic arch plaques. The routine availability of 3D TEE in current ultrasound systems may significantly improve the assessment of aortic plaques as a potential embolic source. In this case series, we present four consecutive patients with stroke who underwent TEE by a single cardiologist for possible cardioembolic source. Some of these patients may have been labelled as "cryptogenic stroke" or "embolic stroke of undetermined source" (ESUS) due to the presence of insignificant or nonmobile ascending aortic or aortic arch plaques on 2D TEE imaging. In our four consecutive patients with ESUS who underwent TEE by a single operator, 3D TEE showed complex aortic arch plaques with ulceration with mobile components and established these plaques as the likely source of embolic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songnan Wen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Echocardiography, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, USA
| | - Tasneem Z Naqvi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Echocardiography, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, USA
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Zhang T, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Liao H, Li X, Liu R, Liu X, Yang L, Yue W. Real-world effectiveness and safety of evolocumab in very high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients with acute ischemic stroke. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024; 57:302-311. [PMID: 38063944 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-023-02925-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated evolocumab's real-world effectiveness and safety on a background of statin therapy in the acute phase of ischemic stroke (IS) patients with a very high-risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). METHODS A real-world, single-center, retrospective study was conducted in the neurology department at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital in China. Patients were divided into two groups: evolocumab treatment (140 mg every two weeks) or the standard of care (SOC) group. The primary efficacy outcome of the study was the achievement of a targeted lipid control rate and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by the end of the follow-up. MACE was defined as a composite of various cardiovascular events, cerebrovascular events such as stroke or TIA, and event-related deaths. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was utilized to account for confounding factors between groups. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and COX regression modeling. RESULTS 1080 AIS patients with very high-risk ASCVD were recruited. After PSM, there were 528 individuals, with 206 in the evolocumab group and 322 in the SOC group. At 12 months of follow-up, the proportion of LDL-C < 1.4mmol/L and ≥ 50% reduction was 44.91% in the evolocumab group, compared with only 3.12% of SOC-treated patients (p < 0.01). The median follow-up time for clinical events was 15 months. The evolocumab group was associated with a lower risk of cerebrovascular events compared to the SOC group (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23-0.89; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS This real-world study suggested that evolocumab on a background of statin reduced the LDL-C levels significantly and lowered the incidence of recurrent cerebrovascular events in the very high-risk ASCVD patients with AIS in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yajing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yun Yang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Haibing Liao
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Liqin Yang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Wei Yue
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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Han X, Zhou H, Yin J, Zhu J, Yang J, Wan H. Network Analysis and Experimental Verification of the Mechanisms of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A in Ischemic Stroke Following Atherosclerosis. Molecules 2023; 28:7829. [PMID: 38067558 PMCID: PMC10707860 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is derived from Carthamus tinctorius L. (Honghua in Chinese) and is used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. However, the mechanism by which HSYA treats ischemic stroke following atherosclerosis (ISFA) remains unclear. The targets and pathways of HSYA against ISFA were obtained using network analysis. A total of 3335 potential IFSA-related targets were predicted using the GenCards and Drugbank databases, and a total of 88 potential HSYA-related targets were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction database. A total of 62 HSYA-related targets against IFSA were obtained. The network was composed of HSYA, 62 targets, and 20 pathways. The top 20 targets were constructed via the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the targets were involved in signal transduction, protein phosphorylation, the cytoplasm, the plasma membrane, the cytosol, zinc ion binding, ATP binding, protein kinase binding/activity, and enzyme binding. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways were associated with cancer, inflammatory mediator regulation of the transient receptor potential channels, and microRNA in cancer. Additionally, molecular docking indicated that HSYA mainly interacts with five targets, namely interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), E1A-binding protein p300 (EP300), protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA), and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKBKB). In animal experiments, HSYA administration ameliorated the infarct size, neurological deficit score, histopathological changes, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and blood lipid level (total cholesterol and triglycerides). Immunochemistry and quantitative PCR showed that HSYA intervention downregulated the expression of STAT3, EP300, PRKCA, and IKBKB, and the enzyme-linked immunoassay showed reduced IL-1β levels. The findings of this study provide a reference for the development of anti-ISFA drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Haitong Wan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China; (X.H.); (H.Z.)
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Luo N, Shang ZY, Yang BQ, Ntaios G, Chen HS. Age-dependent sex differences in non-stenotic intracranial plaque of embolic stroke of undetermined source. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20652. [PMID: 38001235 PMCID: PMC10673951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48091-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Age and sex have effect on atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate their effect on non-stenotic intracranial atherosclerotic plaque (NIAP) in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). We retrospectively recruited consecutive ESUS patients who underwent intracranial HR-MRI to assess the plaque characteristics (remodeling index [RI], plaque burden [PB], fibrous cap [FC], discontinuity of plaque surface [DPS], intraplaque hemorrhage [IPH] and complicated plaque [CP]). We divided patients into three groups (< 60 years, 60-74 years, ≥ 75 years). 155 patients with ipsilateral NIAP were found from 243 ESUS patients, with 106 men (68.39%) and 49 women (31.61%). In total population or age group under 60 years, there were no significant differences in plaque characteristics between men and women (all p > 0.05). In age group of 60-74 years, men were associated with higher PB (66.27 ± 9.17% vs 60.91 ± 8.86%, p = 0.017) and RI (1.174 vs 1.156, p = 0.019), higher prevalence of DPS (82.50% vs 60.00%, p = 0.036) and complicated plaque (85.00% vs 63.33%, p = 0.036). For subjects ≥ 75 years old, PB were significantly higher in twomen vs men (68.85 ± 6.14% vs 62.62 ± 7.36%, p = 0.040). In addition, the probability for PBupper (≥ median PB), RIupper (≥ median RI) and vulnerable plaque increased as age increased, and its predictive power for index ESUS was higher in men than women. This study identified age-dependent sex differences in NIAP characteristics of ESUS patients, which will help us clarify their etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Luo
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Yang Shang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ben-Qiang Yang
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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Xie Y, Yu M, Qing T, Luo H, Shao M, Wei W, Yi X. Variants in genes related to inflammation and endothelial function can increase the risk for carotid atherosclerosis in southwestern China. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1174425. [PMID: 37292135 PMCID: PMC10244594 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1174425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To investigate the potential association between polymorphisms in genes involved in endothelial function, inflammation and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods This was a three-center, population-based sectional survey conducted in Sichuan province of southwestern China. We randomly selected 8 different communities in Sichuan, and the residents in each community volunteered to participate in the survey by face-to-face questionnaire. A total of 2,377 residents with high stroke risk population in the 8 communities were included. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid ultrasound, and the 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 10 endothelial function as well as inflammation relevant genes were measured in the high stroke risk population. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined by the presence of carotid plaque or any carotid stenosis ≥15% or mean intima-media thickness (IMT) > 0.9 mm. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) approach was used to analyze gene-gene interactions among the 19 SNPs. Results Among the 2,377 subjects with high stroke risk, 1,028 subjects had carotid atherosclerosis (43.2%), of which 852 (35.8%) cases had carotid plaque, 295 (12.4%) cases had ≥15% carotid stenosis, whereas 445 (18.7%) had mean IMT > 0.9 mm. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that IL1A rs1609682 TT and HABP2 rs7923349 TT served as independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis (OR, 1.45, 95% CI: 1.034-2.032, p = 0.031, and OR, 1.829, 95% CI: 1.228-2.723, p = 0.003). GMDR analysis indicated that there was a significant gene-gene interaction found among IL1A rs1609682, ITGA2 rs1991013, and HABP2 rs7923349. After adjusting the covariates, the high-risk interactive genotypes in the 3 variants were significantly associated with a significantly higher risk for carotid atherosclerosis (OR, 2.08, 95% CI: 1.257-5.98, p < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was observed to be extremely high in the high-risk stroke population in southwestern China. There were associations observed between the specific variants in inflammation and endothelial function relevant genes and carotid atherosclerosis. The high-risk interactive genotypes among IL1A rs1609682, ITGA2 rs1991013, and HABP2 rs7923349 significantly increased the risk of carotid atherosclerosis. These results are expected to provide novel strategies for the prevention of carotid atherosclerosis. The gene-gene interactive analysis used in this study may be very helpful to elucidate complex genetic risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Xie
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Neurology, The Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Qing
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Hua Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Minjie Shao
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingyang Yi
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
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Johansen MC. The Future of Ischemic Stroke Diagnosis and a Review of Underrecognized Ischemic Stroke Etiologies. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:613-623. [PMID: 37157043 PMCID: PMC10275839 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate ischemic stroke etiologic determination and diagnosis form the foundation of excellent cerebrovascular care as from it stems initiation of the appropriate secondary prevention strategy as well as appropriate patient education regarding specific risk factors for that subtype. Recurrent stroke rates are highest among those patients who receive an incorrect initial stroke diagnosis. Patient distrust and patient reported depression are also higher. The cause of the ischemic stroke also informs predicted patient outcomes and the anticipated recovery trajectory. Finally, determining the accurate cause of the ischemic stroke provides the patient the opportunity to enroll in appropriate research studies studying mechanism, or targeting treatment approaches for that particular disease process. Advances in ischemic stroke research, imaging techniques, biomarkers, and the ability to rapidly perform genetic sequencing over the past decade have shown that classifying patients into large etiologic buckets may not always be appropriate and may represent one reason why some patients are labeled as cryptogenic, or for whom an underlying etiology is never found. Aside from the more traditional stroke mechanisms, there is new research emerging regarding clinical findings that are not normative, but the contributions to ischemic stroke are unclear. In this article, we first review the essential steps to accurate ischemic stroke etiologic classification and then transition to a discussion of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and other new entities that have been postulated as causal in ischemic stroke (i.e., genetics and subclinical atherosclerosis). We also discuss the limitations that are inherent in the current ischemic stroke diagnostic algorithms and finally review the most recent studies regarding more uncommon diagnoses and the future of stroke diagnostics and classification.
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Tao L, Wang YH, Shang ZY, Yang BQ, Chen HS. Vulnerable plaque of the petrous internal carotid artery in embolic stroke of undetermined source. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:648-658. [PMID: 36448742 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The association between nonstenotic plaque at the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) remains unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of a larger build-up of petrous plaque is more prevalent in the ipsilateral versus the contralateral side among ESUS patients without plaque in the intracranial and proximal ICA. METHODS From a total of 243 patients with ESUS and 160 patients with small-vessel disease (SVD) without proximal ICA plaque, we enrolled 88 ESUS and 103 SVD patients without ipsilateral nonstenotic intracranial and proximal ICA plaque in the present study. Targeting the petrous segment of the ICA on two sides, plaque burden including plaque thickness, lumen area, vessel area, wall area, and percentage of luminal stenosis, and composition features (presence/absence of the ruptured fibrous cap, ulcer plaque, thrombus, discontinuity of plaque surface [DPS], intraplaque hemorrhage and complicated plaque) were assessed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS We found a higher prevalence of petrous plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm ipsilateral versus contralateral to the stroke (25/88 [28.4%] vs. 12/88 [13.6%], odds ratio [OR] 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-9.70), but this imbalance was not seen in SVD. In patients with plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm, the presence of DPS (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.11-14.78) and complicated plaque (OR 5.00, 95% CI 1.10-22.82) was more closely related to an index ESUS, a finding that was not evident in the subgroup with petrous plaque <3.5 mm (p for interaction = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS The present study provided the first evidence supporting a potential etiological role of vulnerable petrous plaque in ESUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Yi-Han Wang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Zi-Yang Shang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Yang
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
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Hoshino T, Mizuno T, Nishimura A, Ishizuka K, Toi S, Takahashi S, Wako S, Kitagawa K. Reclassification and risk stratification of embolic stroke of undetermined source by ASCOD phenotyping. Int J Stroke 2023; 18:322-330. [PMID: 35422186 DOI: 10.1177/17474930221096953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common vascular diseases underlying stroke, including atherosclerosis, small-vessel disease (SVD), and cardioembolic pathology, can be present in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), although these are not direct causes of stroke. AIMS To describe the frequency and degree of the three major diseases using atherosclerosis, SVD, cardiac pathology, other causes, and dissection (ASCOD) phenotyping and to assess their prognostic implications in ESUS. METHODS In this prospective observational study, 221 patients with ESUS within 1 week of onset were consecutively enrolled and followed up for 1 year. Vascular diseases associated with stroke were assessed using the ASCOD classification. The primary outcome was a composite of nonfatal stroke, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and vascular death. RESULTS Among 221 patients (mean age, 69.6 years; male, 59.7%), 135 (61.1%), 102 (46.2%), and 107 (48.4%) had any grade of atherosclerosis (A2 or A3), SVD (S3), and cardiac pathology (C2 or C3), respectively. ESUS patients graded as A2 or A3 (i.e. ipsilateral atherosclerotic plaque, contralateral ⩾ 50% stenosis, or aortic arch plaque) were at a significantly higher risk of composite vascular events than those graded as A0 (i.e. no atherosclerotic disease) (adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 2.40 (1.01-5.72). No differences were observed in the event risk between patients with S3 (i.e. magnetic resonance imaging evidence of SVD) and S0 (i.e. no SVD) and between those with C2 or C3 (i.e. presence of any cardiac pathology) and C0 (i.e. no cardiac abnormalities). CONCLUSIONS Atherosclerotic diseases corresponding to ASCOD grade A2 or A3 were predictive of recurrent vascular events in ESUS patients. Reclassification of ESUS using ASCOD phenotyping provides important clues for risk prediction and may guide optimal management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Hoshino
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Nishimura
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Ishizuka
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sono Toi
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sho Wako
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kitagawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Tao L, Wang XH, Li XQ, Dai YJ, Yang BQ, Chen HS. Intracranial plaque with large lipid core is associated with embolic stroke of undetermined source. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:363-372. [PMID: 36599316 PMCID: PMC10014002 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate an association between percentage lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) and an index ischemic stroke in an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) cohort. METHODS A total of 167 ESUS patients with 259 non-stenotic intracranial plaques including 155 ipsilateral and 104 contralateral to stroke were finally enrolled in the current analysis. The multi-dimensional parameters involving remodeling index (RI), plaque burden (PB), LRNC, discontinuity of plaque surface (DPS), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and vulnerable plaque defined as presence of complicated plaque were evaluated by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS We found that %LRNC was an independent predictor for ESUS in model 1 (OR: 2.574, 95% CI: 1.854-3.573, P < 0.001), and model 2 (OR: 2.550, 95% CI: 1.835-3.545, P < 0.001), but the association was not seen in PB. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the discrimination of LRNC for ESUS was significantly superior to that of PB (absolute difference: 0.121, 95% CI: 0.056-0.205, P < 0.001). Importantly, a significantly positive synergy between the remodeling pattern and LRNC in response to plaque vulnerability was found by Sankey diagram (P for interaction = 0.001). CONCLUSION This is the first report that LRNC, beyond PB, may be correlated with an index ESUS, and a synergistic effect between positive remodeling and larger LRNC could promote plaque vulnerability. The findings suggest that a potential target subgroup may benefit from stroke prevention with intensive statin, although this must be confirmed in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
| | - Xin-Hong Wang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Li
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
| | - Ying-Jie Dai
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Yang
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, ShenYang, China
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13
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Field TS, Sposato LA, Hill MD, Healey JS, Andrade JG, Zhou LW. Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Current Perspectives on Diagnosis, Investigations, and Management. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:172-186. [PMID: 36272633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014, Hart et al. introduced the concept of "embolic stroke of undetermined source" (ESUS) to the clinical-research stroke community. The hypothesis underlying the development of the ESUS construct was that this potentially heterogenous group of stroke mechanisms were largely thromboembolic, and would thus benefit from anticoagulation over antiplatelet for secondary prevention. Since then, 2 large clinical trials have shown that, to date, there is not a clear uniform antithrombotic strategy for secondary prevention after ESUS as it was originally broadly defined. However, this work has yielded valuable information about the patient phenotypes that experience ESUS strokes, as well as hypothesis-generating substudies that have given rise to the next generation of secondary prevention trials aimed at more personalized approaches for different suspected mechanisms of embolic stroke. In parallel with the evolution of ESUS, several studies aimed at screening for atrial fibrillation in the secondary stroke prevention population have generated additional questions about the mechanistic relevance of atrial fibrillation detected after stroke, and how this should inform poststroke workup, and secondary prevention strategies. Herein, we provide a synthesis of the current understanding surrounding the patient phenotypes that experience ESUS strokes, and previous, ongoing, and anticipated clinical trials that will guide earlier and later secondary prevention strategies and poststroke cardiac investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalia S Field
- Division of Neurology, Vancouver Stroke Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Luciano A Sposato
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, Heart and Brain Laboratory, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeff S Healey
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason G Andrade
- Division of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lily W Zhou
- Division of Neurology, Vancouver Stroke Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Luo N, Shang Z, Tao L, Yang B, Chen H. Atherosclerosis as a Potential Cause of Deep Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: A 3T High‐Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e026737. [DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.026737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background
The potential causes or sources of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) vary. This study aimed to investigate the main cause of deep ESUS by evaluating nonstenotic intracranial atherosclerotic plaque.
Methods and Results
We retrospectively screened consecutive patients with unilateral anterior circulation ESUS. After excluding the patients with possible embolism from an extracranial artery such as aortic arch plaque, carotid plaque, and so on, the enrolled patients with ESUS were categorized into 2 groups: deep ESUS and cortical with/without deep ESUS. All patients underwent intracranial high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging to assess the characteristics of nonstenotic intracranial atherosclerotic plaque. Biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy (ie, P‐wave terminal force in lead V1 on ECG, NT‐proBNP [N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide] and left atrial diameter) were collected. A total of 155 patients with ipsilateral nonstenotic intracranial atherosclerotic plaque were found, with 76 (49.0%) in deep ESUS and 79 (51.0%) in cortical with/without deep ESUS. We found more prevalent plaque in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and the ostia of the perforator, with a smaller remodeling index plaque burden, and less frequent occurrence of complicated plaque in deep ESUS versus cortical with/without deep ESUS. Higher BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) levels and a higher prevalence of atrial cardiopathy in cortical with/without deep ESUS versus deep ESUS. Moreover, the discrimination of vulnerable plaque for predicting ESUS was significantly enhanced after adjusting for or further excluding patients with deep ESUS.
Conclusions
The current study provides the first high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging evidence that cortical with/without deep ESUS and deep ESUS should be 2 distinct entities and that atherosclerosis, not embolism, might be the main cause of deep ESUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Luo
- Department of Neurology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Zi‐Yang Shang
- Department of Neurology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Ben‐Qiang Yang
- Department of Radiology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
| | - Hui‐Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang China
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Prevalence of Symptomatic Nonstenotic Carotid Disease Using Simultaneous Non-Contrast Angiography and Intraplaque Hemorrhage Imaging for MR Screen Protocol. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12102321. [PMID: 36292010 PMCID: PMC9600452 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12102321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To determine the prevalence of symptomatic nonstenotic carotid disease (SyNC) using simultaneous non-contrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (SNAP) imaging for patients with acute stroke as an MR screen protocol and to assess imaging findings of carotid plaques. Patients and Methods: From May 2020 to October 2021, 2459 patients with suspected acute neurological symptoms were evaluated with brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and carotid SNAP imaging. We analyzed the degree of stenosis and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) using SNAP imaging. Prevalence of SyNC and risk factors for stroke in patients with SyNC were determined. We performed subgroup multivariate analysis between SyNC and other etiologies of stroke (non-SyNC). Results: Of 4608 carotid arteries in 2304 patients enrolled in this study, 454 (9.9%) plaques (both lesions in 128 patients) were found on SNAP imaging. Of these plaques, 353 (77.8%) showed stenosis of <50%. Of plaques with <50% stenosis, 47 (13.3%) patients had a territorial acute focal infarction. Seventeen (36.2%) were classified with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and SyNC. High maximal wall thickness and carotid IPH were identified as influencing factors for SyNC. Conclusion: For patients with <50% stenosis and territorial infarction, SyNC is a relatively important source of stroke. Especially, high maximal wall thickness and carotid IPH are important risk factors for SyNC.
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16
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Characteristics of non-stenotic carotid plaque in embolic stroke of undetermined source compared with cardiogenic embolism: a retrospective cross-sectional observational study. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:315. [PMID: 36008791 PMCID: PMC9404624 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02846-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-stenotic carotid plaque is considered an important etiology of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). However, only a few previous studies included a negative control group, and the characteristics of non-stenotic carotid plaque in ESUS have yet to be investigated. The objective of this study is to explore the clinical characteristics of ESUS and the correlation between non-stenotic carotid plaque and ESUS. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional observational study conducted to compare differences in clinical information among ESUS, CE, and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), as well as the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaque and non-stenotic carotid plaque with low echo between patients with ESUS and CE in Changzhou No.2 People’s Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. Ultrasound was used to evaluate the characteristics of non-stenotic carotid plaque and vulnerable carotid plaque was defined as plaque with low echo. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of non-stenotic carotid plaque and ESUS. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the characteristics of non-stenotic carotid plaque for ESUS. Results We had a final studying population of 280 patients including 81 with ESUS, 37 with CE, and 162 with LAA. There were no differences in clinical features between ESUS and LAA, but in the comparison of CE and ESUS, there were differences in age, smoking, hypertension, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. In ESUS, the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaque was more common on the ipsilateral side of stroke than in CE [55 (67.90%) vs. 18 (48.65%), p = 0.046], so was the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaque with low echo [38 (46.91%) vs. 5 (13.51%), p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaque (OR: 4.19; 95% CI: 1.45–12.11; p = 0.008) and the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaque with low echo (OR: 5.12; 95% CI: 1.55–16.93; p = 0.007) were, respectively, the independent predictors of ESUS. The results receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the combination of age, hypertension, and ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaque with low echo had the best diagnostic efficiency for ESUS (0.811; 95%CI: 0.727–0.896; p < 0.001). Conclusion Our results suggest that ipsilateral vulnerable non-stenotic carotid plaque is associated with ESUS in anterior circulation infarction.
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Association between Low Ankle-Brachial Index and Poor Outcomes in Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113073. [PMID: 35683461 PMCID: PMC9181204 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the association of low ankle-brachial index (ABI < 0.9) with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) as well as whether the association differed by ESUS subtype. This retrospective single-center study included ESUS patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography and ABI during hospitalization. ESUS was classified as ESUS with minor cardioembolic source, arteriogenic embolism, two or more causes, or no cause. Arteriogenic embolism was defined and classified as complex aortic or non-stenotic relevant artery plaque. MACE was defined as stroke recurrence, acute coronary syndrome, hospitalization for heart failure, or death. Overall, 829 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 45.8 months. Of these, 42 (5.1%) and 370 (44.6%) had low ABI and arteriogenic embolism, respectively. ABI < 0.9 was independently associated with MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.038, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.093−3.801) and all-cause mortality (HR: 3.608, 95% CI: 1.538−8.465) according to the multivariable Cox regression analysis. Between ESUS subtypes, low ABI was independently associated with MACE (HR: 2.513, 95% CI: 1.257−5.023) and all-cause mortality (HR: 5.681, 95% CI: 2.151−15.008) in arteriogenic embolism patients, especially in those with complex aortic plaque. However, in non-arteriogenic embolism patients, low ABI was not related to MACE and mortality. In ESUS patients, low ABI was linked to MACE and all-cause mortality, especially in those with arteriogenic embolisms from complex aortic plaque.
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Shang ZY, Tao L, Li XQ, Yang BQ, Ntaios G, Chen HS. The characteristics of intracranial plaques of unilateral, anterior circulation embolic stroke of undetermined source: an analysis of different subtypes based on high-resolution imaging. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2654-2663. [PMID: 35593148 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To investigate the characteristics of non-stenotic intracranial plaque (NSIP) among embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) subtypes by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). METHODS we retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients with ESUS who were mandatory for HR-MRI. Based the location and arterial supply of the infarct, ESUS were categorized into three types: cortical ESUS, subcortical ESUS and mixed ESUS. The NSIP parameters including plaque location, morphology (plaque distribution, remodeling index and plaque burden) and composition (thick fibrous cap, discontinuity of plaque surface, intraplaque hemorrhage and complicated plaque) were evaluated among subtypes. RESULTS Among 243 patients, there were 87 (35.8%) cortical ESUS, 127 (52.3%) subcortical ESUS and 29 (11.9%) mixed ESUS. We found significant differences in plaque location (P < 0.001), plaque quadrant (P < 0.001), remodeling index (P < 0.001), plaque burden (P < 0.001), discontinuity of plaque surface (P < 0.001), intraplaque hemorrhage (P = 0.001) and complicated plaque (P < 0.001) of ipsilateral NISP among different ESUS subtypes, except for fibrous cap (P = 0.135). But we found no differences among contralateral NISP. In addition, the clinical characteristics of the differences among ESUS subtypes were striking, including age (P = 0.004), initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (P < 0.001), coronary artery disease (P = 0.039), serum urea (P = 0.011) and creatinine (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION This is the first report of significantly heterogeneous characteristics of ipsilateral NSIP and clinical findings among ESUS subtypes, which may suggest their different underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yang Shang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China
| | - Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Li
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Yang
- Radiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China
| | - George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China
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From cryptogenic to ESUS: Toward precision medicine? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:939-952. [PMID: 35597610 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.01.016] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryptogenic infarctions are infarctions without a defined cause, despite a complete work-up. They differ from infarctions of undetermined causes, which may involve overlapping causes or an incomplete investigation. It is also different from uncommon heritable and non-heritable causes. The term embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) proposed in 2014 is defined as a non-lacunar brain infarct without proximal arterial stenosis or cardioembolic sources. The major advantage of this definition compared to cryptogenic definition is the proposition of a specific work-up. In a general population, frequent potential sources of embolism in patients with ESUS have been suggested since a long time and include: patent foramen ovale (PFO), covert atrial fibrillation (AF), complex aortic arch atheroma, large vessel atheroma with stenosis<50%, carotid web, atrial cardiomyopathy, thrombophilia associated with cancer. It took almost 30 years to show, in patients under 60 with a cryptogenic stroke and a PFO, that PFO occlusion was superior to medical treatment alone for recurrent stroke. PFO under 60 is therefore no longer a cryptogenic cause of infarction. The concept of cryptogenic stroke and its refinement in ESUS have been fruitful for the identification of PFO associated as a cause. Covert AF can be detected by different techniques but its risk significance for recurrent stroke might be different from the simple electrocardiographic detection of AF. With the development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs), randomized studies in patients with ESUS, were run for stroke prevention but no difference was observed between patients treated by DOA compared to aspirin. These studies showed however the heterogeneity of ESUS patients. Further ESUS classification should be considered as a tool to identify homogeneous groups. We propose to further split the ESUS group into different subgroups: ESU-PFO>60-year-old, ESUS-ATH with stenosis<50%, ESUS-AF (covert AF & atrial cardiomyopathy), ESUS-cancer and others. Precision medicine is the ability to make targeted healthcare decisions based on the specific risks of individual patients. One preliminary stage is therefore to identify homogeneous groups suitable in the future for new therapeutic trials and, at the end, for new specific treatments.
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Diener HC, Easton JD, Hart RG, Kasner S, Kamel H, Ntaios G. Review and update of the concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:455-465. [PMID: 35538232 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00663-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ischaemic strokes have traditionally been classified according to the TOAST criteria, in which strokes with unclear aetiology are classified as cryptogenic strokes. However, the definition of cryptogenic stroke did not meet the operational criteria necessary to define patient populations for randomized treatment trials. To address this problem, the concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) was developed and published in 2014. A hypothesis that underpinned this concept was that most strokes in patients with ESUS are caused by embolic events, perhaps many cardioembolic, and that anticoagulation would prevent secondary ischaemic events. On this basis, two large randomized trials were conducted to compare the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) dabigatran and rivaroxaban with aspirin. Neither NOAC was superior to aspirin in these trials, although subgroups of patients with ESUS seemed to benefit specifically from anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. The neutral results of the trials of anticoagulation and insights into ESUS from research conducted since the concept was introduced warrant reassessment of the ESUS construct as a research concept and a treatment target. In this Review, we discuss the evidence produced since the concept of ESUS was introduced, and propose updates to the criteria and diagnostic algorithm in light of the latest knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christoph Diener
- Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE) Medical Faculty of the University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - J Donald Easton
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert G Hart
- Population Health Research Institute/McMaster University, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute (DBCVSRI), Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott Kasner
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Department of Neurology and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Lattanzi S, Acampa M, Norata D, Broggi S, Caso V. A critical assessment of the current pharmacotherapy for the treatment of embolic strokes of undetermined source. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:905-915. [PMID: 35470761 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2071125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION "Embolic stroke of undetermined source" (ESUS) is a term coined to identify non-lacunar stroke whose mechanism is likely to be embolic, and the source remains unidentified. The best antithrombotic treatment for preventing stroke recurrence in this population has not been delineated. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize and critically appraise the currently available evidence about the antithrombotic treatment for preventing stroke recurrence in patients with ESUS. Randomized trials addressing this topic were identified through MEDLINE (accessed by PubMed, as of November 2021, week 4). EXPERT OPINION Recent randomized trials have failed to demonstrate a significant benefit of direct oral anticoagulants over aspirin in reducing the recurrence of cerebral infarctions in unselected cohorts of patients with ESUS. The heterogeneity and often overlap of embolic sources may be possible explanations for the overall absence of a benefit of oral anticoagulants in ESUS as a single homogeneous entity. The results of these trials and their subgroup analyses have provided important cues to understand the pathophysiology of ESUS. They have, furthermore, increased in the interest in researchers in identifying distinct etiological phenotypes within this stroke population. There is a good rationale for ongoing and future investigations in order to tailor antithrombotic treatment according to individual features of patients with ESUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Davide Norata
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Broggi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Valeria Caso
- Stroke Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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22
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Tao L, Dai YJ, Shang ZY, Li XQ, Wang XH, Ntaios G, Chen HS. Atrial cardiopathy and non-stenotic intracranial complicated atherosclerotic plaque in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:351-359. [PMID: 34872980 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-327517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess (1) the association between atrial cardiopathy (AC) and non-stenotic intracranial complicated atherosclerotic plaque (NICAP) in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) or small-vessel disease (SVD), and (2) the performance of previously proposed biomarkers to identify AC as the underlying aetiology in ESUS. METHODS Based on our high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI) cohort, 403 subjects (243 ESUS and 160 SVD) were enrolled in the final analysis. All patients underwent intracranial HR-MRI to assess the presence of ipsilateral NICAP. Biomarkers of AC (ie, P-wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) on ECG, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and left atrial diameter) were collected within 24 hours after admission. RESULTS Among patients without ipsilateral NICAP, we found an association between the presence of AC (adjusted OR (aOR): 4.76, 95% CI 2.48 to 9.14), increased PTFV1 (aOR: 5.70, 95% CI: 2.43 to 13.39) and NT-proBNP (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.35) with ESUS. This association was not evident among patients with ipsilateral NICAP. The discrimination between ESUS versus SVD by AC/AC-related biomarkers was significantly improved after excluding ipsilateral NICAP. Similarly, the discrimination between ESUS and SVD by ipsilateral NICAP was notably augmented after excluding AC, PTFV1 and NT-proBNP. INTERPRETATION AC is more prevalent in patients who had ESUS without ipsilateral NICAP compared with patients with, implying that AC and ipsilateral NICAP are two distinct, competing aetiologies of ESUS. Among the AC biomarkers studied in this analysis, PTFV1 seems to be the most informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying-Jie Dai
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zi-Yang Shang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Li
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin-Hong Wang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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23
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Oak S, Cucchiara BL, Thau L, Nguyen TN, Sathya A, Reyes-Esteves S, Vigilante N, Kamen S, Hall J, Patel P, Garg R, Abdalkader M, Thon JM, Siegler JE. Age Alters Prevalence of Left Atrial Enlargement and Nonstenotic Carotid Plaque in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. Stroke 2022; 53:2260-2267. [PMID: 35354301 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.037522] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonstenotic carotid plaque and undetected atrial fibrillation are potential mechanisms of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), but it is unclear which is more likely to be the contributing stroke mechanism. We explored the relationship between left atrial enlargement (LAE) and nonstenotic carotid plaque across age ranges in an ESUS population. METHODS A retrospective multicenter cohort of consecutive patients with unilateral, anterior circulation ESUS was queried (2015 to 2021). LAE and plaque thickness were determined by transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography angiography, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to compare plaque features in relation to age and left atrial dimensions. RESULTS Among the 4155 patients screened, 273 (7%) met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 54-74), 133 (48.7%) were female, and the median left atrial diameter was 3.5 cm (IQR 3.1-4.1). Patients with any LAE more frequently had hypertension (85.9% versus 67.2%, P<0.01), diabetes (41.0% versus 25.6%, P=0.01), dyslipidemia (56.4% versus 40.0%, P=0.01), and coronary artery disease (22.8% versus 11.3%, P=0.02). Carotid plaque thickness was greater ipsilateral versus contralateral to the stroke hemisphere in the overall cohort (median 1.9 mm [IQR 0-3] versus 1.5 mm [IQR 0-2.6], P<0.01); however, this was largely driven by the subgroup of patients without any LAE (median 1.8 mm [IQR 0-2.9] versus 1.5 mm [IQR 0-2.5], P<0.01). Compared with patients ≥70 years, younger patients had more carotid plaque ipsilateral versus contralateral (mean difference 0.42 mm±1.24 versus 0.08 mm±1.54, P=0.047) and less moderate-to-severe LAE (6.3% versus 15.3%, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Younger patients with ESUS had greater prevalence of ipsilateral nonstenotic plaque, while the elderly had more LAE. The differential effect of age on the probability of specific mechanisms underlying ESUS should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Oak
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Brett L Cucchiara
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (B.L.C., S.R.-E.)
| | - Lauren Thau
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Thanh N Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Radiology, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Boston Medical Center, MA (T.N.N., A.S., M.A.)
| | - Anvitha Sathya
- Department of Neurology, Radiology, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Boston Medical Center, MA (T.N.N., A.S., M.A.)
| | - Sahily Reyes-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (B.L.C., S.R.-E.)
| | - Nicholas Vigilante
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Scott Kamen
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Jillian Hall
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Parth Patel
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ (S.O, L.T., N.V., S.K., J.H., P.P.)
| | - Rahul Garg
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ (R.G., J.M.T., J.E.S.)
| | - Mohamad Abdalkader
- Department of Neurology, Radiology, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Boston Medical Center, MA (T.N.N., A.S., M.A.)
| | - Jesse M Thon
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ (R.G., J.M.T., J.E.S.)
| | - James E Siegler
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ (R.G., J.M.T., J.E.S.)
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Kato Y, Takahashi S. Atrial Cardiopathy and Cryptogenic Stroke. Front Neurol 2022; 13:839398. [PMID: 35273560 PMCID: PMC8901724 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.839398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in pathophysiology suggest that a pathological atrial substrate can cause embolic stroke even in patients without atrial fibrillation (AF). This pathological condition is called “atrial cardiopathy”, which indicates atrial structural and functional disorders that can precede AF. The objective of this narrative review was to provide a current overview of atrial cardiopathy and cryptogenic stroke. We searched the PubMed database and summarized the recent findings of the identified studies, including the pathogenesis of atrial cardiopathy, biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy, relationship between atrial cardiopathy and cryptogenic stroke, and therapeutic interventions for atrial cardiopathy. Abnormal atrial substrate (atrial cardiopathy) that leads to AF can result in embolic stroke before developing AF, and may explain the source of cryptogenic stroke in some patients. Although there are several potential biomarkers indicative of atrial cardiopathy, P-wave terminal force in lead V1 (>5,000 μV* ms), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (>250 pg/ml), and left atrial enlargement are currently promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of atrial cardiopathy. Because the optimal combination and thresholds of biomarkers for diagnosing atrial cardiopathy remain uncertain, atrial cardiopathy represents a spectrum disorder. The concept of atrial cardiopathy appears to be most valuable as a starting point for therapeutic intervention to prevent stroke. Validation of the diagnosis of atrial cardiopathy and whether it can be used as a new therapeutic target for direct oral anticoagulants are currently being covered in the ARCADIA trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kato
- Department of Neurology and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Takahashi
- Department of Neurology and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
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25
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Unique Clinicopathologic Subclassifiers of Cryptogenic Cerebral Emboli. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022; 31:106427. [PMID: 35279004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106427] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ipsilateral nonstenotic (<50%) internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque, cardiac atriopathy, and patent foramen ovale (PFO) may account for a substantial proportion of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). METHODS Consecutive stroke patients at our center (2019-2021) with unilateral, anterior circulation ESUS were categorized into the following mutually exclusive etiologies: (1) nonstenotic ipsilateral ICA plaque (NSP, ≥3mm in maximal axial diameter), (2) sex-adjusted mod-to-severe left atrial enlargement (LAE), (3) PFO, and (4) "occult ESUS" (patients who failed to meet criteria for these 3 groups). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to model group characteristics. RESULTS Of 132 included patients, the median age was 65 (IQR 56-73), 74 (56%) of whom were White, and 54 (41%) were female. Twenty-one patients (16%) had NSP proximal to the infarct territory, 17 (13%) had LAE, 9 (7%) had a PFO, and 85 (64%) had no other mechanism. Patients with LAE were older (p=0.004), and had more frequent intracranial occlusions of the internal carotid and proximal middle cerebral artery (p=0.048), while tobacco use was most commonly found among patients with NSP (75%) when compared to other ESUS groups (p=0.02). Five of 9 patients with LAE who underwent outpatient telemetry had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (56%), while zero patients with PFO or NSP had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (p=0.005). Older age (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.07), coronary artery disease (aOR 3.22, 95%CI 1.61-6.44) and hypertension (aOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.14-4.06) were independently associated with LAE, while only tobacco use was associated with NSP when compared to other ESUS subclassifiers (OR 3.18, 95%CI 1.08-0.42). Age and tobacco use were both inversely associated with PFO (aOR 0.93, 95%CI 0.88-0.98, and aOR 0.10, 95%CI 0.02-0.90, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Certain clinical and radiographic features may be useful in predicting the proximal source of occult cerebral emboli, and can be used for cost-effective outpatient diagnostic testing.
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26
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D'Anna L, Sikdar O, Lim S, Kalladka D, Banerjee S. Atrial fibrillation detection using a automated electrocardiographic monitoring in a transient ischaemic attack service. BMJ Open Qual 2022; 11:bmjoq-2021-001433. [PMID: 35110330 PMCID: PMC8811557 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The vast majority of the transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) services in UK reported significant delays in the initiation of the routine cardiac monitoring that may result in a significant number of missed atrial fibrillation (AF) paroxysms and increased long-term risk of recurrent stroke. Automated continuous ECG monitoring (ACEM) system has shown promising results in terms of AF detection but it is unclear if ACEM improves AF detection in a rapid outpatient TIA service. Objectives We assessed ACEM in patients with TIA with the aim to significantly reduce the delay to initiate the cardiac monitoring and to enhance the yield of AF detection in these patients. We also aimed to determine the impact of a more rapid initiation of ACEM on the 6-month risk of recurrent stroke/TIA. Methods This is an observational, prospective before (phase 1: 1 July to 31 December 2018) versus after (phase 2: 1 January to 30 June 2019) study of the effect of ACEM, compared with routine initiation of 24h-Holter ECG, in patients with TIA assessed in our service. Results The phase 1 (n=136) and phase 2 (n=105) cohorts did not differ with regards to age, risk factors, duration of cardiac monitoring. The rate of newly detected AF was significantly higher in phase 2 compared with phase 1 (9.52% vs 2.21%, p<0.001). The 6-month risk of recurrent stroke/TIA was significantly lower in phase 2 compared with phase 1 (7.4% vs 1%, p=0.018). Conclusions Early initiation of ACEM improves AF detection after TIA in a rapid TIA service and is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent TIA/stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucio D'Anna
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK .,Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
| | - Oishi Sikdar
- Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
| | - Suyin Lim
- Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
| | - Dheeraj Kalladka
- Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
| | - Soma Banerjee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
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Huang WY, Ovbiagele B, Lee M. Oral anticoagulants vs antiplatelets in cryptogenic stroke with potential cardiac emboli: Meta-analysis. Eur J Intern Med 2022; 95:44-49. [PMID: 34419310 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The best antithrombotic strategy for cryptogenic stroke with potential cardiac emboli is not known. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants (OACs) vs. antiplatelet therapies in these patients METHODS: Pubmed, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov were searched from January 1980 to April 2021 to identify trials comparing OACs versus antiplatelet therapies in patients with cryptogenic stroke and potential cardiac emboli (patent foramen ovale, moderate-severe left atrial enlargement, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence (CI) was used as a measure of the effect of OACs versus antiplatelet therapies on recurrent ischemic stroke and major bleeding. We computed a random-effect estimate based on the Mantel-Haenszel method for a given outcome. RESULTS We identified 6 studies derived from 5 trials with 2282 patients. Pooled results from 6 studies showed that compared with antiplatelet therapies, OACs were associated with a lower risk of recurrent ischemic stroke (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.91, P=0.02). Only 3 studies of cryptogenic stroke with patent foramen ovale reported a major bleeding endpoint and pooled results from random-effects model showed that OACs compared with antiplatelet therapies were associated with a non-significantly increased risk of major bleeding (RR 1.61, 95% CI 0.76 to 3.40, P=0.21). CONCLUSIONS OACs compared with antiplatelet therapies were associated with a reduced recurrent ischemic stroke risk and OACs might be a viable non-procedural alternative in patients with cryptogenic stroke and potential cardiac emboli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yi Huang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung branch, Taiwan
| | - Bruce Ovbiagele
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meng Lee
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch, Taiwan.
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28
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Chen J, Qin Q, Yan S, Yang Y, Yan H, Li T, Wang L, Gao X, Li A, Ding S. Gut Microbiome Alterations in Patients With Carotid Atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:739093. [PMID: 34869642 PMCID: PMC8639581 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.739093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a reflection of systemic atherosclerosis and the main pathological processes of cardiovascular disease (CVD), namely, carotid intima-media thickening, carotid plaque formation, and carotid stenosis. Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays an important role in CVD and gut-brain disorders, but the associations of the composition and metabolites of the gut microbiome with CAS have not been studied comprehensively. We performed a gut microbiome genome-wide association study in 31 patients with CAS and 51 healthy controls using whole-genome shotgun sequencing. We found that several risk factors (waist circumference, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and inflammatory markers (white blood cell count and absolute value of neutrophils) were significantly higher in the CAS group than in the control group. In addition, 21 species and 142 pathways were enriched in the CAS group, and 10 species and 1 pathway were enriched in the control group. Specifically, Bacteroides eggerthii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most abundant species in the CAS group, whereas Parabacteroides unclassified, Prevotella copri, Bacteroides sp 3_1_19, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae were the most abundant species in the control group. Finally, we found that most gut microbes and microbial pathways that were enriched in the CAS group had significant positive correlations with clinical characteristics, whereas the microbes and pathways enriched in healthy controls had significant negative correlations with clinical characteristics excluding high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, the associations between gut microbes and some microbial pathways (short-chain fatty acid, lipopolysaccharide, and menaquinol biosynthesis) were identified. Our results indicate the existence of a cyclic pathway that elevates the circulating concentrations of trimethylamine-N-oxide in patients with CAS but reduces its concentrations in healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfeng Chen
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Su Yan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hang Yan
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tiantian Li
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinxin Gao
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ang Li
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Suying Ding
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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29
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Kamtchum-Tatuene J, Nomani AZ, Falcione S, Munsterman D, Sykes G, Joy T, Spronk E, Vargas MI, Jickling GC. Non-stenotic Carotid Plaques in Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source. Front Neurol 2021; 12:719329. [PMID: 34630291 PMCID: PMC8492999 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.719329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) represents one in five ischemic strokes. Ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques are identified in 40% of all ESUS. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence supporting the potential causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques; discuss the remaining challenges in establishing the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS and describe biomarkers of potential interest for future research. In support of the causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques, studies have shown that plaques with high-risk features are five times more prevalent in the ipsilateral vs. the contralateral carotid and there is a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up in patients with ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques. However, non-stenotic carotid plaques with or without high-risk features often coexist with other potential etiologies of stroke, notably atrial fibrillation (8.5%), intracranial atherosclerosis (8.4%), patent foramen ovale (5-9%), and atrial cardiopathy (2.4%). Such puzzling clinical associations make it challenging to confirm the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS. There are several ongoing studies exploring whether select protein and RNA biomarkers of plaque progression or vulnerability could facilitate the reclassification of some ESUS as large vessel strokes or help to optimize secondary prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ali Z Nomani
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarina Falcione
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Danielle Munsterman
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gina Sykes
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Twinkle Joy
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Spronk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maria Isabel Vargas
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Glen C Jickling
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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30
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Greeve I, Schäbitz WR. Embolic stroke of undetermined source: identification of patient subgroups for oral anticoagulation treatment. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1005-1006. [PMID: 34558521 PMCID: PMC8552842 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.324837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Greeve
- Department of Neurology, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, University of Bielefeld, Campus Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Wolf-Rüdiger Schäbitz
- Department of Neurology, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, University of Bielefeld, Campus Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
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31
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Yang X, Jing J, Meng X, Li Z, Pan Y, Jiang Y, Xiang X, Liu H, Chen Y, Liu L, Zhao X, Wang Y, Li H, Wang Y. Characteristics and prognosis of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source in China. Int J Stroke 2021; 17:526-535. [PMID: 34125633 DOI: 10.1177/17474930211028040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We aimed to explore the frequencies, risk factors, and natural history of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) through a national prospective registry in China. METHODS Between August 2015 and March 2018, the Third China National Stroke Registry recruited consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in China. The baseline characteristics, risks of stroke, and prognosis in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source were described and compared with that in patients with other causative subtypes. RESULTS A total of 15,166 transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in the Third China National Stroke Registry. Among 8528 ischemic stroke with standard diagnostic work-up, 2415 (28.3%) patients were diagnosed with embolic stroke of undetermined source. The mean age was 61 years and 70% of them were male. Compared to patients with cardioembolic strokes and small vessel disease, patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source had higher prevalence of nonstenosing large artery atherosclerosis (37.93% vs. 31.26%, P = 0.008 and 37.93% vs. 34.40%, P = 0.044 respectively). The cumulative probability of stroke recurrence in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source at three months and one year was 5.59% and 8.74%. Compared with embolic stroke of undetermined source patients (0.70% and 1.99%), patients with the large artery atherosclerosis and cardioembolic strokes had higher cumulative probability of death at three months (1.94% and 3.22%) and one year (4.17% and 7.39%). CONCLUSIONS Embolic stroke of undetermined source is a common cause of ischemic stroke in Chinese population with a higher stroke recurrence than previously reported. It was more likely to have nonstenosing large artery atherosclerosis in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source than with cardioembolic strokes and small vessel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Yang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jing
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Neuroimaging Center of Excellence, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Meng
- Department of Project Management, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zixiao Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuesong Pan
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xianglong Xiang
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Neuroimaging Center of Excellence, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingquan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Veltkamp R, Pearce LA, Korompoki E, Sharma M, Kasner SE, Toni D, Ameriso SF, Mundl H, Tatlisumak T, Hankey GJ, Lindgren A, Berkowitz SD, Arauz A, Ozturk S, Muir KW, Chamorro Á, Perera K, Shuaib A, Rudilosso S, Shoamanesh A, Connolly SJ, Hart RG. Characteristics of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke After Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol 2021; 77:1233-1240. [PMID: 32628266 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Importance The concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) unifies a subgroup of cryptogenic strokes based on neuroimaging, a defined minimum set of diagnostic tests, and exclusion of certain causes. Despite an annual stroke recurrence rate of 5%, little is known about the etiology underlying recurrent stroke after ESUS. Objective To identify the stroke subtype of recurrent ischemic strokes after ESUS, to explore the interaction with treatment assignment in each category, and to examine the consistency of cerebral location of qualifying ESUS and recurrent ischemic stroke. Design, Setting, and Participants The NAVIGATE-ESUS trial was a randomized clinical trial conducted from December 23, 2014, to October 5, 2017. The trial compared the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban and aspirin in patients with recent ESUS (n = 7213). Ischemic stroke was validated in 309 of the 7213 patients by adjudicators blinded to treatment assignment and classified by local investigators into the categories ESUS or non-ESUS (ie, cardioembolic, atherosclerotic, lacunar, other determined cause, or insufficient testing). Five patients with recurrent strokes that could not be defined as ischemic or hemorrhagic in absence of neuroimaging or autopsy were excluded. Data for this secondary post hoc analysis were analyzed from March to June 2019. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to receive rivaroxaban, 15 mg/d, or aspirin, 100 mg/d. Main Outcomes and Measures Association of recurrent ESUS with stroke characteristics. Results A total of 309 patients (205 men [66%]; mean [SD] age, 68 [10] years) had ischemic stroke identified during the median follow-up of 11 (interquartile range [IQR], 12) months (annualized rate, 4.6%). Diagnostic testing was insufficient for etiological classification in 39 patients (13%). Of 270 classifiable ischemic strokes, 156 (58%) were ESUS and 114 (42%) were non-ESUS (37 [32%] cardioembolic, 26 [23%] atherosclerotic, 35 [31%] lacunar, and 16 [14%] other determined cause). Atrial fibrillation was found in 27 patients (9%) with recurrent ischemic stroke and was associated with higher morbidity (median change in modified Rankin scale score 2 [IQR, 3] vs 0 (IQR, 1]) and mortality (15% vs 1%) than other causes. Risk of recurrence did not differ significantly by subtype between treatment groups. For both the qualifying and recurrent strokes, location of infarct was more often in the left (46% and 54%, respectively) than right hemisphere (40% and 37%, respectively) or brainstem or cerebellum (14% and 9%, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance In this secondary analysis of randomized clinical trial data, most recurrent strokes after ESUS were embolic and of undetermined source. Recurrences associated with atrial fibrillation were a minority but were more often disabling and fatal. More extensive investigation to identify the embolic source is important toward an effective antithrombotic strategy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02313909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Veltkamp
- Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
| | - Lesly A Pearce
- currently a biostatistics consultant, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eleni Korompoki
- Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mukul Sharma
- Population Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott E Kasner
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Danilo Toni
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Turgut Tatlisumak
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neurosciences and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Graeme J Hankey
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Arne Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Antonio Arauz
- Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia Manual Velasco Suarez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Serefnur Ozturk
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Keith W Muir
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ángel Chamorro
- Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Institute Reçerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kanjana Perera
- Population Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashfaq Shuaib
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Salvatore Rudilosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Institute Reçerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ashkan Shoamanesh
- Population Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stuart J Connolly
- Population Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert G Hart
- Population Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Chen J, Gao F, Liu W. Atrial cardiopathy in embolic stroke of undetermined source. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02160. [PMID: 33942558 PMCID: PMC8213925 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atrial cardiopathy is one of the most common potential sources of thromboembolism for embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The study aims to investigate the incidence of atrial cardiopathy (defined by severe left atrial enlargement (sLAE) or elevated serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) > 250 pg/ml) in patients with ESUS and compare with other stroke subtypes. METHODS We retrospectively collected data of 936 consecutive patients with diffusion-weighted imaging-confirmed acute ischemic stroke. The incidence of atrial cardiopathy was examined in ESUS, large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), and small vessel disease (SVD) strokes. Clinical characteristics were compared between ESUS patients with atrial cardiopathy (AC-ESUS) and patients with atrial fibrillation-induced cardioembolism (AF-CE) stroke. RESULTS 245 patients were diagnosed with ESUS, while others were diagnosed with LAA (n = 312), SVD (n = 258), and AF-CE (n = 121) strokes. The incidence of sLAE in ESUS patients was higher than in LAA or SVD group (5.3% vs. 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively, p = .005) and higher than in combined LAA/SVD group (5.3% vs. 1.4%, p = .001). The incidence of elevated serum NT-proBNP in ESUS patients was not statistically different from that in LAA or SVD group. Compared with patients with AF-CE stroke, AC-ESUS patients had milder manifestations, had less hemorrhagic transformation, had better short-term outcome, and had fewer in-hospital complications. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of sLAE was higher in ESUS patients than in patients with noncardioembolic strokes. AC-ESUS was milder when compared to AF-CE stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Fenglian Gao
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Shijiitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Shijiitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Ntaios G, Wintermark M, Michel P. Supracardiac atherosclerosis in embolic stroke of undetermined source: the underestimated source. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:1789-1796. [PMID: 32300781 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'embolic stroke of undetermined source' (ESUS) is used to describe patients with a non-lacunar ischaemic stroke without any identified embolic source from the heart or the arteries supplying the ischaemic territory, or any other apparent cause. When the ESUS concept was introduced, covert atrial fibrillation was conceived to be the main underlying cause in the majority of ESUS patients. Another important embolic source in ESUS is the atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid, vertebrobasilar, and intracranial arteries, or the aortic arch-collectively described as supracardiac atherosclerosis. There is emerging evidence showing that the role of supracardiac atherosclerosis is larger than it was initially perceived. Advanced imaging methods are available to identify plaques which high embolic risk. The role of novel antithrombotic strategies in these patients needs to be assessed in randomized controlled trials. This review presents the evidence which points towards a major aetiological association between atherosclerotic plaques and ESUS, summarizes the imaging features which may aid to identify plaques more likely to be associated with ESUS, discusses strategies to reduce the associated stroke risk, and highlights the rationale for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Max Wintermark
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, Stanford University and Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Patrik Michel
- Stroke Center, Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne CH-1011, Switzerland
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35
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Kitsiou A, Zuhorn F, Wachter R, Israel CW, Schäbitz WR, Rogalewski A. [Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) - Classification of a new stroke entity]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021; 146:403-409. [PMID: 33735920 DOI: 10.1055/a-1309-8701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) represents a subpopulation of cryptogenic strokes defined by its embolic stroke pattern on imaging and if after a carefully performed diagnostic evaluation, a specific, well recognized cause of stroke has not been identified. This review article analyses the basics of the ESUS concept and provides an overview of the evidence from recent cohort studies. The definition, aetiology and diagnosis of ESUS are reassessed. Targeted diagnostics in ESUS patients can reduce the number of cryptogenic strokes by making a specific diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkisti Kitsiou
- Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Klinik für Neurologie, Bielefeld, Deutschland
| | - Frédéric Zuhorn
- Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Klinik für Neurologie, Bielefeld, Deutschland
| | - Rolf Wachter
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | | | | | - Andreas Rogalewski
- Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Klinik für Neurologie, Bielefeld, Deutschland
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36
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Hart RG, Perera KS. Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaque and Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Another Piece of the Puzzle. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 77:692-694. [PMID: 33573738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Hart
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Kanjana S Perera
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), McMaster University, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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37
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Tao L, Li XQ, Hou XW, Yang BQ, Xia C, Ntaios G, Chen HS. Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaque as a Potential Cause of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 77:680-691. [PMID: 33573737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies investigated the potential mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) from extracranial artery plaque, but there has been no study other than a case report on high-risk intracranial plaque in ESUS. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the issue by evaluating the morphology and composition of intracranial plaque in patients with ESUS and small-vessel disease (SVD) using 3.0-T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Two hundred forty-three consecutive patients with ESUS and 160 patients with SVD-associated stroke between January 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Multidimensional parameters involving the presence of plaque on both sides, including remodeling index (RI), plaque burden, presence of discontinuity of plaque surface, thick fibrous cap, intraplaque hemorrhage, and complicated American Heart Association type VI plaque at the maximal luminal narrowing site, were evaluated using intracranial high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Among 243 patients with ESUS, the prevalence of intracranial plaque was much higher in the ipsilateral than the contralateral side (63.8% vs. 42.8%; odds ratio [OR]: 5.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.83 to 9.73), a finding that was not evident in patients with SVD (35.6% vs. 30.6%; OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 0.87 to 5.26; p = 0.134). Logistic analysis showed that RI was independently associated with ESUS in model 1 (OR: 2.329; 95% CI: 1.686 to 3.217; p < 0.001) and model 2 (OR: 2.295; 95% CI: 1.661 to 3.172; p < 0.001). RI alone with an optimal cutoff of 1.162, corresponding to an area under the curve of 0.740, had good diagnostic efficiency for ESUS. CONCLUSIONS The present study supports an etiologic role of high-risk nonstenotic intracranial plaque in ESUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Li
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Hou
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Yang
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - Cheng Xia
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China
| | - George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Hui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shen Yang, China.
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38
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The Left Atrial Septal Pouch: A New Stroke Risk Factor? Transl Stroke Res 2021; 12:205-211. [PMID: 33393056 PMCID: PMC7925453 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00864-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The left atrial septal pouch (LASP) occurs due to incomplete fusion of septa primum and secundum at the inter-atrial septum, creating an open flap that may serve as a thromboembolic source. Prior studies have demonstrated increased prevalence of LASP in cryptogenic strokes. The aim of the current study was to validate the above findings in a separate, larger group of stroke and non-stroke patients. We examined transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs) performed between July 2011 and December 2018. LASP prevalence was determined in TEEs referred for ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (“stroke”) and compared with LASP prevalence in patients undergoing TEEs for other reasons (“non-stroke”). Stroke subtyping was performed using the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria. There were 306 TEEs from 144 non-stroke and 162 stroke patients. Mean age and sex distribution were 56 ± 1 (mean ± SE) and 65% male in the non-stroke group and 58 ± 1 and 54% male in the stroke group. The overall prevalence of LASP was 31%. The prevalence of LASP was 28% (41/144) in non-stroke patients, 25% (24/95) in non-cryptogenic stroke patients, and 43% (29/67) in cryptogenic stroke patients. LASP prevalence was significantly higher in the cryptogenic subgroup compared with the non-cryptogenic subgroup (p = 0.02). These findings demonstrate a significant association of LASP with risk of cryptogenic stroke, suggesting that LASP may serve as a thromboembolic nidus. Additional studies are needed to determine the generalizability of these findings, and their therapeutic implications, supporting LASP as a stroke risk factor.
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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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Abstract
Ischemic strokes related to atrial fibrillation are highly prevalent, presenting with severe neurologic syndromes and associated with high risk of recurrence. Although advances have been made in both primary and secondary stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation, the long-term risks for stroke recurrence and bleeding complications from antithrombotic treatment remain substantial. We summarize the major advances in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation during the past 30 years and focus on novel diagnostic and treatment approaches currently under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants have been proven to be safer and equally effective compared with warfarin in stroke prevention for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are being investigated for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease, for the treatment of patients with recent embolic stroke of undetermined source and indirect evidence of cardiac embolism, and in the prevention of vascular-mediated cognitive decline in patients with atrial fibrillation. Multiple clinical trials are assessing the optimal timing of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant initiation after a recent ischemic stroke and the benefit:harm ratio of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation and history of previous intracranial bleeding. Ongoing trials are addressing the usefulness of left atrial appendage occlusion in both primary and secondary stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation, including those with high risk of bleeding. The additive value of prolonged cardiac monitoring for subclinical atrial fibrillation detection through smartphone applications or implantable cardiac devices, together with the optimal medical management of individuals with covert paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, is a topic of intensive research interest. Colchicine treatment and factor XIa inhibition constitute 2 novel pharmacologic approaches that might provide future treatment options in the secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke attributable to atrial fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristeidis H Katsanos
- Division of Neurology, McMaster University and Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Canada (A.H.K., R.G.H.)
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (H.K.)
| | - Jeff S. Healey
- Division of Cardiology, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (J.S.H.)
| | - Robert G. Hart
- Division of Neurology, McMaster University and Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Canada (A.H.K., R.G.H.)
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Ospel JM, Goyal M. Response by Ospel and Goyal to Letter Regarding Article, “Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source and Symptomatic Nonstenotic Carotid Disease”. Stroke 2020; 51:e320-e321. [DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.032013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M. Ospel
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Canada (J.M.O., M.G.)
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland (J.M.O.)
| | - Mayank Goyal
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Canada (J.M.O., M.G.)
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Canada (M.G.)
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42
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Freedman B, Kamel H, Van Gelder IC, Schnabel RB. Atrial fibrillation: villain or bystander in vascular brain injury. Eur Heart J Suppl 2020; 22:M51-M59. [PMID: 33664640 PMCID: PMC7916423 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suaa166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke are inextricably connected, with classical Virchow pathophysiology explaining thromboembolism through blood stasis in the fibrillating left atrium. This conceptualization has been reinforced by the remarkable efficacy of oral anticoagulant (OAC) for stroke prevention in AF. A number of observations showing that the presence of AF is neither necessary nor sufficient for stroke, cast doubt on the causal role of AF as a villain in vascular brain injury (VBI). The requirement for additional risk factors before AF increases stroke risk; temporal disconnect of AF from a stroke in patients with no AF for months before stroke during continuous ECG monitoring but manifesting AF only after stroke; and increasing recognition of the role of atrial cardiomyopathy and atrial substrate in AF-related stroke, and also stroke without AF, have led to rethinking the pathogenetic model of cardioembolic stroke. This is quite separate from recognition that in AF, shared cardiovascular risk factors can lead both to non-embolic stroke, or emboli from the aorta and carotid arteries. Meanwhile, VBI is now expanded to include dementia and cognitive decline: research is required to see if reduced by OAC. A changed conceptual model with less focus on the arrhythmia, and more on atrial substrate/cardiomyopathy causing VBI both in the presence or absence of AF, is required to allow us to better prevent AF-related VBI. It could direct focus towards prevention of the atrial cardiomyopathy though much work is required to better define this entity before the balance between AF as villain or bystander can be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Freedman
- Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre and Concord Hospital Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Isabelle C Van Gelder
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- University Heart and Vascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Hamburg, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK e.V.), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
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Ntaios G, Sagris D, Strambo D, Perlepe K, Sirimarco G, Georgiopoulos G, Nannoni S, Korompoki E, Manios E, Makaritsis K, Vemmos K, Michel P. Carotid Atherosclerosis and Patent Foramen Ovale in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 30:105409. [PMID: 33137616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carotid atherosclerosis and likely pathogenic patent foramen ovale (PFO) are two potential embolic sources in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The relationship between these two mechanisms among ESUS patients remains unclear. AIM To investigate the relation between carotid atherosclerosis and likely pathogenic PFO in patients with ESUS. We hypothesized that ipsilateral carotid atherosclerotic plaques are less prevalent in ESUS with likely pathogenic PFO compared to patients with likely incidental PFO or without PFO. METHODS The presence of PFO was assessed with transthoracic echocardiography with microbubble test and, when deemed necessary, through trans-oesophageal echocardiography. The presence of PFO was considered as likely incidental if the RoPE (Risk of Paradoxical Embolism) score was 0-6 and likely pathogenic if 7-10. RESULTS Among 374 ESUS patients (median age: 61years, 40.4% women), there were 63 (49.6%) with likely incidental PFO, 64 (50.4%) with likely pathogenic PFO and 165 (44.1%) with ipsilateral carotid atherosclerosis. The prevalence of ipsilateral carotid atherosclerosis was lower in patients with likely pathogenic PFO (7.8%) compared to patients with likely incidental PFO (46.0%) or patients without PFO (53.0%) (p<0.001). After adjustment for multiple confounders, the prevalence of ipsilateral carotid atherosclerosis remained lower in patients with likely pathogenic PFO compared to patients with likely incidental PFO or without PFO (adjusted OR=0.32, 95%CI:0.104-0.994, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS The presence of carotid atherosclerosis is inversely related to the presence of likely pathogenic PFO in patients with ESUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Dimitrios Sagris
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Davide Strambo
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kalliopi Perlepe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Gaia Sirimarco
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Georgios Georgiopoulos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Nannoni
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Korompoki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Stroke Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Efstathios Manios
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Makaritsis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Vemmos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Patrik Michel
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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44
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Ntaios G, Weng SF, Perlepe K, Akyea R, Condon L, Lambrou D, Sirimarco G, Strambo D, Eskandari A, Karagkiozi E, Vemmou A, Korompoki E, Manios E, Makaritsis K, Vemmos K, Michel P. Data-driven machine-learning analysis of potential embolic sources in embolic stroke of undetermined source. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:192-201. [PMID: 32918305 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hierarchical clustering, a common 'unsupervised' machine-learning algorithm, is advantageous for exploring potential underlying aetiology in particularly heterogeneous diseases. We investigated potential embolic sources in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) using a data-driven machine-learning method, and explored variation in stroke recurrence between clusters. METHODS We used a hierarchical k-means clustering algorithm on patients' baseline data, which assigned each individual into a unique clustering group, using a minimum-variance method to calculate the similarity between ESUS patients based on all baseline features. Potential embolic sources were categorised into atrial cardiopathy, atrial fibrillation, arterial disease, left ventricular disease, cardiac valvulopathy, patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cancer. RESULTS Among 800 consecutive ESUS patients (43.3% women, median age 67 years), the optimal number of clusters was four. Left ventricular disease was most prevalent in cluster 1 (present in all patients) and perfectly associated with cluster 1. PFO was most prevalent in cluster 2 (38.9% of patients) and associated significantly with increased likelihood of cluster 2 [adjusted odds ratio: 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.64-4.41]. Arterial disease was most prevalent in cluster 3 (57.7%) and associated with increased likelihood of cluster 3 (adjusted odds ratio: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.43-3.13). Atrial cardiopathy was most prevalent in cluster 4 (100%) and perfectly associated with cluster 4. Cluster 3 was the largest cluster involving 53.7% of patients. Atrial fibrillation was not significantly associated with any cluster. CONCLUSIONS This data-driven machine-learning analysis identified four clusters of ESUS that were strongly associated with arterial disease, atrial cardiopathy, PFO and left ventricular disease, respectively. More than half of the patients were assigned to the cluster associated with arterial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - S F Weng
- National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Primary Care Stratified Medicine, Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - K Perlepe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - R Akyea
- Primary Care Stratified Medicine, Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - L Condon
- Primary Care Stratified Medicine, Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - D Lambrou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - G Sirimarco
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - D Strambo
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A Eskandari
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - E Karagkiozi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - A Vemmou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Korompoki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Stroke Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - E Manios
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - K Makaritsis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - K Vemmos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - P Michel
- Stroke Center and Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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45
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Salehi Omran S, Parikh NS, Zambrano Espinoza M, Lerario MP, Levine SR, Kamel H, Marshall R, Willey J. Managing Ischemic Stroke in Patients Already on Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Practice Survey. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 29:105291. [PMID: 32992194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We sought to understand practice patterns in management of patients who have ischemic stroke while adherent to oral anticoagulation for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in the United States (US). METHODS We distributed an iteratively revised online survey to US neurologists in May-June 2019. Survey questions focused on clinicians' practices regarding diagnostic evaluation and secondary prevention after ischemic stroke in patients already on oral anticoagulation for NVAF. Standard descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants' characteristics and responses. RESULTS Of the 120 participating clinicians, 79% were attending physicians. Most respondents (66%) were trained in vascular neurology, and 79% were employed in hospital-based, academic settings. For patients with ischemic stroke despite anticoagulation, most respondents indicated that they obtain extracranial and intracranial vessel imaging (72% and 82%, respectively). Most respondents (83%) routinely change therapy to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for patients experiencing ischemic stroke while on warfarin. In cases of ischemic stroke while on a DOAC, 38% of respondents routinely switch agents, 42% do not routinely switch agents, and 20% routinely add an antiplatelet agent. In this scenario, 83% of respondents who switch agents indicated that the reason was a possible better response to a drug that acts through a different mechanism. The most common reason for not switching while on a DOAC was the lack of randomized trial data. CONCLUSIONS There is a high degree of variability in practice patterns among US neurologists caring for patients with ischemic stroke while already on oral anticoagulation for NVAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setareh Salehi Omran
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY, United States; Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Neal S Parikh
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY, United States; Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria Zambrano Espinoza
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mackenzie P Lerario
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Steven R Levine
- Departments of Neurology and Emergency Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Neurology, Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Randolph Marshall
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joshua Willey
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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46
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Ospel JM, Marko M, Singh N, Goyal M, Almekhlafi MA. Prevalence of Non-Stenotic (<50%) Carotid Plaques in Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 29:105117. [PMID: 32912562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-stenotic (<50%) carotid plaques have recently been recognized as a potential source of stroke. This meta-analysis aims to summarize the prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaques in stroke patients in general and in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source in particular. METHODS We performed a comprehensive systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on acute ischemic stroke patients in whom carotid imaging was performed using the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane database, including studies published up to December 2019. Keywords were "stroke", "transient ischemic attack", "carotid", "plaque", "atherosclerosis" and "disease". Included studies had ≥10 patients with acute ischemic stroke and reported the prevalence of non-stenotic (<50%%stenosis) carotid plaques detected on any imaging modality. RESULTS We included forty-five studies (n = 18304 patients, 48.4% males, mean age 63.6 years) in our meta-analysis. Imaging modalities used were ultrasound (n = 26 studies), CT-angiography (n = 7), magnetic resonance-imaging (n = 8) and catheter angiography (n = 4). The overall prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaques was 51% (95% CI: 43 - 59). 10 studies included mainly patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (>50% of all patients). The pooled prevalence of non-stenotic carotid plaques in these studies was 55% (95% CI: 42 - 68). 23 studies explicitly reported ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques, the pooled prevalence of which was 51% (95% CI: 45 - 59). CONCLUSIONS In this meta-analysis, non-stenotic carotid plaques were present in more than 50% of all acute ischemic stroke patients, with a slightly higher prevalence in ESUS patients. Given the potential role of non-stenotic carotid plaques in stroke etiology, particularly in ESUS, further research should aim to identify criteria that predict the stroke risk associated with non-stenotic carotid plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Ospel
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martha Marko
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Nishita Singh
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mayank Goyal
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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47
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Ospel JM, Goyal M. Response by Ospel and Goyal to Letter Regarding Article, “Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source and Symptomatic Nonstenotic Carotid Disease”. Stroke 2020; 51:e268. [DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.031544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M. Ospel
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland (J.M.O.)
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences (J.M.O.), University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Mayank Goyal
- Department of Radiology (M.G.), University of Calgary, Canada
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48
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Acampa M, Lazzerini PE, Manfredi C, Guideri F, Tassi R, Domenichelli C, Cartocci A, Martini G. Non-stenosing Carotid Atherosclerosis and Arterial Stiffness in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. Front Neurol 2020; 11:725. [PMID: 32849200 PMCID: PMC7396517 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Recent findings suggested that non-stenosing atherosclerosis (NSA) may play an important pathogenic role, especially in cryptogenic strokes. Furthermore, arterial stiffness has been suggested to be a useful tool in identifying patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) with poor neurological prognosis. In this view, the aim of our study was to assess the association between carotid NSA and arterial stiffness in ESUS patients, in order to better define the cardiovascular risk profile of this subgroup of patients. Methods: We enrolled 100 patients with ESUS (52 males, 48 females) and 48 patients with ischemic stroke from atherosclerosis. All patients underwent clinical and neuroimaging examination. A 24-h heart rate and blood pressure monitoring was performed in order to evaluate systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, pulse pressure, and arterial stiffness index (ASI). Results: NSA was present in 48 patients. In comparison with non-NSA-ESUS, in NSA-ESUS the mean age was higher, neurological deficit was more severe, hypertension, and diabetes were more common; systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and ASI were higher. In particular NSA-ESUS had ASI levels similar to strokes due to atherosclerosis. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on specific cardiovascular risk profiles underlying different subtypes of ESUS, suggesting the presence of increased arterial stiffness in NSA-ESUS patients with a risk factors profile similar to strokes due to atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Acampa
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Pietro Enea Lazzerini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Manfredi
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Guideri
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Rossana Tassi
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Carlo Domenichelli
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Martini
- Stroke Unit, Department of Emergency-Urgency and Transplants, "Santa Maria Alle Scotte" General Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
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49
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Bulwa Z, Saleh Velez FG, Brorson JR, Pinto CB. Ipsilateral Nonstenotic Carotid Disease in Minor Ischemic Stroke: an Exploratory Analysis of The POINT Randomized Clinical Trial. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 29:105115. [PMID: 33066893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease is increasingly recognized as an etiology of ischemic stroke, however tailored treatment strategies are lacking. We aimed to examine clinical characteristics and treatment effects in patients with minor ischemic stroke associated with ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease in the Platelet Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke (POINT) trial. METHODS We performed an exploratory analysis of the interaction of the treatment effects of aspirin plus clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy, stratified by presence of ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease in patients with minor ischemic stroke in the POINT trial. RESULTS For this exploratory analysis, 167 patients presenting with ischemic stroke and ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease, defined as 1%-49% carotid stenosis ipsilateral to the corresponding territory of ischemic stroke, and 833 patients no carotid disease were included. Compared to patients with no carotid disease, patients with ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease were older (68.5 ± 11.3 years versus 61.3 ± 12.8 years; P < 0.001), and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (76.6% versus 59.2%, P < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (13.8% versus 5.4%, P < 0.001), and tobacco use (past: 34.1% versus 25.2%, P = 0.005; present: 27.5% versus 22.8%, P = 0.005). 5.4% of patients with ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease had recurrent ischemic stroke within 14 days. Patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy had a numerical reduction in recurrent ischemic stroke compared to patients receiving aspirin monotherapy, however the exploratory analysis was underpowered to detect a statistically significant difference in treatment effect (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.18-1.40, P = 0.19). CONCLUSION Patients with minor ischemic stroke and ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease had a high risk of early stroke recurrence in the POINT trial. Dual antiplatelet therapy provided a non-statistically significant reduction in recurrent ischemic stroke with no difference in safety outcomes compared to aspirin monotherapy. Further study is needed to determine if early and short duration dual antiplatelet therapy is beneficial for all patients with ipsilateral nonstenotic carotid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Bulwa
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 2030, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Faddi G Saleh Velez
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 2030, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - James R Brorson
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 2030, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Camila B Pinto
- University of Sao Paulo, Institute of Psychology, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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50
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Fuentes B, Gutiérrez-Zúñiga R, Díez-Tejedor E. It's Time to Say Goodbye to the ESUS Construct. Front Neurol 2020; 11:653. [PMID: 32733368 PMCID: PMC7358305 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Fuentes
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Gutiérrez-Zúñiga
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Exuperio Díez-Tejedor
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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