Risk of subsequent stroke, with or without extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery: a nationwide, retrospective, population-based study

Pretreatment factors associated with symptomatic stroke in Moyamoya disease patients: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disorder marked by the progressive steno-occlusion of the bilateral internal carotid arteries and the formation of abnormal collateral vessel networks at the base of the brain. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors predictive of postoperative complications to improve patient management. This study aims to identify pretreatment factors associated with post-bypass symptomatic strokes in MMD patients.

METHODS

This study is a multicenter retrospective analysis conducted across 13 academic institutions in North America. A total of 518 patients with MMD were included. Data collected included patient demographics, disease characteristics, and follow-up duration. Stroke-free survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for symptomatic stroke.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 43 years (IQR, 34-52 years), and 370 (71 %) were females. Multivariable Cox regression identified advanced age (HR 1.03, 95 % CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.011), female sex (HR 2.03, 95 % CI 1.00-4.11, p = 0.049), diabetes mellitus (HR 2.03, 95 % CI 1.14-3.63, p = 0.016), smoking status (HR 2.27, 95 % CI 1.27-4.05, p = 0.006), and asymptomatic disease (HR 0.37, 95 % CI 0.15-0.93, p = 0.034) as significant factors associated with symptomatic stroke.

CONCLUSION

Advanced age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, and smoking status were significant predictors of symptomatic stroke in MMD patients after bypass surgery. Asymptomatic patients had a reduced risk of stroke. These findings emphasize the importance of managing modifiable risk factors and the potential benefits of early detection in improving clinical outcomes for MMD patients. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

The efficacy and safety of asleep and awake subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease patients: A 1-year follow-up

Introduction

Traditional DBS is usually conducted under local anesthesia (LA) which is intolerable to some patients, DBS under general anesthesia (GA) was opted to extended surgical indication. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) under asleep and awake anesthesia state in 1-year postoperative follow-up.

Methods

Twenty-one PD patients were assigned to asleep group and 25 patients to awake group. Patients received bilateral STN-DBS under different anesthesia state. The PD participants were interviewed and assessed preoperatively and at 1-year postoperative follow-up.

Results

At 1-year follow-up, compared surgical coordinate in two groups, the left-side Y of asleep group showed more posterior than awake group (Y was-2.39 ± 0.23 in asleep group, -1.46 ± 0.22 in awake group, p = 0.007). Compared with preoperative OFF MED state, MDS-UPDRS III scores in OFF MED/OFF STIM state remained unchanged, while in OFF MED/ON STIM state were significantly improved in awake and asleep groups, yet without significant difference. Compared with preoperative ON MED state, MDS-UPDRS III scores in ON MED/OFF STIM, and ON MED/ON STIM state remained unchanged in both groups. In non-motor outcomes, PSQI, HAMD, and HAMA score significantly improved in asleep group compared to awake group at 1-year follow-up (PSQI, HAMD, and HAMA score in 1-year follow-up were 9.81 ± 4.43; 10.00 ± 5.80; 5.71 ± 4.75 in awake group, 6.64 ± 4.14; 5.32 ± 3.78; 3.76 ± 3.87 in asleep group, p = 0.009; 0.008; 0.015, respectively), while there was no significant difference in PDQ-39, NMSS, ESS, PDSS score, and cognitive function. Anesthesia methods was significantly associated with improvement of HAMA and HAMD score (p = 0.029; 0.002, respectively). No difference in LEDD, stimulation parameters and adverse events was observed between two groups.

Discussion

Asleep STN-DBS may be considered a good alternative method for PD patients. It is largely consistent with awake STN-DBS in motor symptoms and safety. Yet, it showed higher improvement in terms of mood and sleep compared to awake group at 1-year follow-up.

Preoperative Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Neurological Outcome of Cerebrovascular Surgery

This study evaluated the relationship between the preoperative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level and major postoperative neurological complications in patients undergoing cerebral bypass surgery. This was a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all patients undergoing cerebral bypass surgery after a diagnosis of cerebrovascular stenosis or occlusion between May 2003 and August 2017. The patients were divided into tertiles based on serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (low: <63, intermediate: 63~79, and high: ALP > 79 IU/mL). The incidence of neurological events according to ALP level was analyzed. The study analyzed 211 cases. The incidence of acute infarction was highest in the third serum ALP tertile (5.7% vs. 2.9% vs. 16.9% in the first, second, and third tertile, respectively, p = 0.007). Logistic regression analysis showed that the third tertile of serum ALP was an independent predictor of acute cerebral infarction (odds ratio 3.346, 95% confidence interval 1.026−10.984, p = 0.045). On Kaplan−Meier time-to-event curves, the incidence of acute infarction increased significantly with ALP (log rank = 0.048). Preoperative serum ALP level can be used as a biomarker to predict acute cerebral infarction in patients undergoing cerebral bypass surgery for vascular stenosis or occlusion.

Macrohistory of Moyamoya Disease Analyzed Using Artificial Intelligence

INTRODUCTION

Moyamoya disease is characterized by progressive stenotic changes in the terminal segment of the internal carotid artery and the development of abnormal vascular networks called moyamoya vessels. The objective of this review was to provide a holistic view of the epidemiology, etiology, clinical findings, treatment, and pathogenesis of moyamoya disease. A literature search was performed in PubMed using the term "moyamoya disease," for articles published until 2021.

RESULTS

Artificial intelligence (AI) clustering was used to classify the articles into 5 clusters: (1) pathophysiology (23.5%); (2) clinical background (37.3%); (3) imaging (13.2%); (4) treatment (17.3%); and (5) genetics (8.7%). Many articles in the "clinical background" cluster were published from the 1970s. However, in the "treatment" and "genetics" clusters, the articles were published from the 2010s through 2021. In 2011, it was confirmed that a gene called Ringin protein 213 (RNF213) is a susceptibility gene for moyamoya disease. Since then, tremendous progress in genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic profiling (e.g., methylation profiling) has resulted in new concepts for classifying moyamoya disease. Our literature survey revealed that the pathogenesis involves aberrations of multiple signaling pathways through genetic mutations and altered gene expression.

CONCLUSION

We analyzed the content vectors in abstracts using AI, and reviewed the pathophysiology, clinical background, radiological features, treatments, and genetic peculiarity of moyamoya disease.

Transit Time Measurement in Indicator Dilution Curves: Overcoming the Missing Ground Truth and Quantifying the Error

The vascular function of a vessel can be qualitatively and intraoperatively checked by recording the blood dynamics inside the vessel via fluorescence angiography (FA). Although FA is the state of the art in proving the existence of blood flow during interventions such as bypass surgery, it still lacks a quantitative blood flow measurement that could decrease the recurrence rate and postsurgical mortality. Previous approaches show that the measured flow has a significant deviation compared to the gold standard reference (ultrasonic flow meter). In order to systematically address the possible sources of error, we investigated the error in transit time measurement of an indicator. Obtaining in vivo indicator dilution curves with a known ground truth is complex and often not possible. Further, the error in transit time measurement should be quantified and reduced. To tackle both issues, we first computed many diverse indicator dilution curves using an in silico simulation of the indicator's flow. Second, we post-processed these curves to mimic measured signals. Finally, we fitted mathematical models (parabola, gamma variate, local density random walk, and mono-exponential model) to re-continualize the obtained discrete indicator dilution curves and calculate the time delay of two analytical functions. This re-continualization showed an increase in the temporal accuracy up to a sub-sample accuracy. Thereby, the Local Density Random Walk (LDRW) model performed best using the cross-correlation of the first derivative of both indicator curves with a cutting of the data at 40% of the peak intensity. The error in frames depends on the noise level and is for a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 20 dB and a sampling rate of f_s = 60 Hz at fs-1·0.25(±0.18), so this error is smaller than the distance between two consecutive samples. The accurate determination of the transit time and the quantification of the error allow the calculation of the error propagation onto the flow measurement. Both can assist surgeons as an intraoperative quality check and thereby reduce the recurrence rate and post-surgical mortality.

Racial phenotypes in moyamoya disease: a comparative analysis of clinical presentation and natural history in a single multiethnic cohort of 250 hemispheres

OBJECTIVE

The authors aimed to determine whether differences exist in presentation and natural history when comparing Asian patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) to those of other ethnicities in North America.

METHODS

A database of 137 patients with MMD presenting to their institution between 1994 and 2015 was reviewed. Baseline characteristics and outcome variables, including stroke and functional outcome, were compared between Asian and non-Asian patients. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and adjusted Cox regression models were used to compare stroke-free survival and stroke hazard after diagnosis among hemispheres of both racial groups. The analysis was stratified by age group, and censoring was performed until last follow-up or at the time of surgery. Because the relative rate of stroke changed between Asian and non-Asian adults after 1.5 years of follow-up, a time-segmented analysis focusing on the period 1.5 years after diagnosis was performed.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 23% (31/137) Asian and 77% (106/137) non-Asian patients with MMD with a bimodal age distribution. Non-Asian patients had a higher prevalence of increased BMI (p = 0.02) and smoking (p = 0.04). Among patients who presented with stroke (n = 90), hemorrhage was significantly more common among Asians (p = 0.02). The natural history analysis included 250 hemispheres: 67 pediatric and 183 adult hemispheres. The overall mean follow-up duration since diagnosis was 3.3 years. Among adults, Asian patients had a higher incidence of stroke (8.0 per 100 person-years vs 3.0 per 100 person-years) over a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, but results were not statistically significant (p = 0.45). In the period beginning 1.5 years after diagnosis, Asian adults had a significantly higher hazard of stroke over a mean follow-up of 7.7 years, while controlling for sex, hypertension, and stroke before diagnosis (hazard ratio 8.8, p = 0.02). Among pediatric patients, Asians also had a higher stroke incidence (10.0 per 100 person-years vs 3.5 per 100 person-years) over a mean follow-up of 3.2 years; however, results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.40). Functional outcome was similar between both ethnic groups at last follow-up (p = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests a comparatively more progressive course of MMD in Asians. Further studies are required to fully characterize the phenotypic distinctions between different races and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Surgical procedures including carotid-carotid crossover bypass and ring-stripping hybrid operation for Rile's type 1A common carotid artery occlusion: an experience of 6 cases

Background

At present, there is no consensus on the treatment of common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO). We explored the surgical indications and observed the therapeutic effects of carotid-carotid crossover bypass and ring-stripping hybrid operation for treatment of Rile’s type 1A CCAO.

Methods

The imaging data, clinical manifestations, surgical complications and postoperative ischemic events were retrospectively collected from the 6 cases with Rile’s type 1A CCAO that underwent surgery in our department from 2011 to 2018. Of the 6 cases, 4 received carotid-carotid crossover bypass and 2 ring-stripping hybrid operation.

Results

Of the 6 cases, 4 were male and 2 females, with a mean age of 62.7 years. All cases had the left CCAO combined with decreased computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in the left internal carotid artery blood supply area. In the 4 cases receiving carotid-carotid crossover bypass, the mean operation time was 186±13 min, the mean hospital stay was 17±1 d, postoperative CTP improved, one case had swallowing foreign body sensation, synthetic vascular grafts were patent and no ischemic events occurred during the mean follow-up of 62.3±26.3 months. In the 2 cases receiving ring-stripping hybrid operation, the mean operation time was 118±11 min, the mean hospital stay was 5.5±0.7 d, postoperative CTP improved, and the opened common carotid arteries (CCA) were patent and no ischemic events occurred during the mean follow-up of 17.5±3.5 months.

Conclusions

Rile’s type 1A CCAO with related symptoms and decreased CTP should be treated by revascularization. The carotid-carotid crossover bypass is a good choice in bypass schemes because of its easy operation and good long-term patency. The ring-stripping hybrid operation may be an ideal surgical scheme for Rile’s type 1A CCAO.

Extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the anterior cerebral circulation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the anterior cerebral circulation is one of the most common causes of anterior circulation ischemia and stroke. Treatment options include medical therapies (including antiplatelet use, blood pressure control, lipid reduction, and lifestyle modification) and extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery (such as superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass). However, the optimal treatment remains unclear. The objective of this study will be to compare the efficacy of and extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery with that of other medical therapy in adult patients with occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the anterior cerebral circulation.

METHODS

This is the study protocol for a systematic review. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library (from January 1980 onwards). We will include randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies (non-randomized, interrupted time series), and observational studies (e.g., cohort studies and case-control studies), examining the efficacy of extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery compared to other treatments for adult patients with occlusive atherosclerotic disease of anterior cerebral circulation. Two team members will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. The primary outcome will include stroke or death. The secondary outcomes will include intracranial hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using appropriate tools. If feasible, we will conduct random effects meta-analysis. Additional analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity (e.g., study design, geographical location, or risk of bias).

DISCUSSION

This review will evaluate the evidence on the efficacy of extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for adult patients with occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the anterior cerebral circulation. We anticipate that our findings will be of interest to patients, their families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and in making optimal treatment selection. Implications for future clinical and epidemiological research will be discussed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018105513.

Stroke and osteoporosis: a Taiwan cohort study

Background

Osteoporosis and stroke are major health problems that have potentially overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to estimate osteoporosis risk in Taiwan patientswho had a stroke.

Method

This study retrieved data contained in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for a population-based sample of consecutive patients either hospitalised for stroke or treated for stroke on an outpatient basis. A total of 7550 newly diagnosed patientswho had a stroke were enrolled during 1996–2010. Osteoporosis risk in these patients was then compared with a matched group of patients who had not had a stroke randomly selected from the database at a ratio of 1:4 (n=30 200). The relationship between stroke history and osteoporosis risk was estimated with Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

During the follow-up period, osteoporosis developed in 1537 patients who had a stroke and in 5830 patients who had not had a stroke. The incidence of osteoporosis for cohorts with and without stroke was 32.97 and 14.28 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After controlling for covariates, the overall risk of osteoporosis was 1.82-fold higher in the stroke group than in the non-stroke group. The relative osteoporosis risk contributed by stroke had apparently greater impact among male gender and younger age groups.

Conclusion

History of stroke is a risk factor for osteoporosis in Taiwan. Much attention to stroke-targeted treatment modalities might minimise adverse outcomes of osteoporosis.

Quantitative Angiographic Hemodynamic Evaluation After Revascularization Surgery for Moyamoya Disease

The corresponding hemodynamic changes of the internal carotid artery (ICA) after the revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease (MMD) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic changes of the ipsilateral ICA after the combined direct and indirect extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass. MMD patients undergoing combined EC-IC bypass were retrospectively reviewed. The mean transit time (MTT) of ICA was evaluated by color-coding angiography before revascularization and at follow-up. The MTT defined as the blood transit time between the end of cervical portion (C1) and the C7 segment of ICA. The clinical prognosis was assessed with Matsushima grading system, moyamoya vessel reduction system, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The correlation between hemodynamic parameter and prognosis was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was conducted between different presentations and different ages. Fifty-one patients were identified and the mean imaging follow-up interval was 5.5 months. The ICA-MTT was increased after the combined revascularization (P < 0.001) compared with contralateral ICA. Faster preoperative ICA-MTT was significantly associated with improved mRS in the ischemic group (P = 0.05). The increased ICA-MTT was significantly associated with favorable neoangiogenesis (P = 0.04), moyamoya vessel reduction (> 50%) (P = 0.023), and improved mRS score (P = 0.008). In subgroup analysis, the correlation in the ischemic subgroup and adult subgroup remained significant. In this cohort, the ICA-MTT increased after the combined EC-IC bypass, and there was a positive correlation between the increased blood transit time and favorable outcomes. Color-coding DSA proved to be useful as a quantitative and serial method to monitor postoperative courses after revascularization in MMD.

Risk factors for postoperative stroke in adults patients with moyamoya disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the risk factors for postoperative stroke in adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD).

Methods

We comprehensively searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible published literature with regard to the risk factors and postoperative complications in adult patients with MMD. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata version 12.0. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were assessed for each risk factor.

Results

There were 8 studies encompassing 1649 patients who underwent surgery with MMD were selected for analysis. Preoperative ischemic event significantly increase the risk of postoperative stroke events (OR = 1.40; 95%CI = 1.02–1.92; P = 0.039). PCA involvement correlate with an increased risk of post-infarction (OR = 4.60; 95%CI = 2.61–8.11; P = 0.000). Compared to direct bypass, patients who underwent indirect bypass or combined bypass could significantly increase the risk of postoperative stroke events. (OR = 1.17; 95%CI = 1.03–1.33; p = 0.017). MMD patients with diabetes were associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke events (OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.59–10.16; p = 0.003). MMD patients with hypertension, age at onset and male sex were not associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke events (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that preoperative ischemic events, PCA involvement and diabetes were independent risk factors for postoperative stroke in MMD patients. Therefore, in order to ensure the curative effect of patients with MMD, it is very necessary to detect these risk factors and prevent postoperative complications in time.