Impact on quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: Which urinary symptoms are to blame?

AIM

To evaluate the correlation between the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects, and the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), the bother caused by these symptoms and subjects' quality of life (QoL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 50 subjects with persistent LUTS secondary to MS who were recruited from the registry of a national NGO, between October 2017 and November 2019. Subjects with a history of any disease besides MS that could otherwise explain the presence of LUTS, as well as those with other neurological conditions were excluded. Information including MS duration, subjects' EDSS, voiding and storage LUTS, voiding symptoms' subscore of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS-V), Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS), Urinary Bothersome Questionnaire in Multiple Sclerosis (UBQMS), and urologic QoL (SF-Qualiveen) was gathered. Correlations between these scores were assessed using Spearman's bivariate correlations. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to evaluate the difference of impact between voiding and storage LUTS on bother of subjects.

RESULTS

The median disease duration was 7±5.8years and the predominant lower urinary symptom was urgency (82%). Median OABSS and IPSS-V were respectively 8±3.8 and 8±3. Subjects were significantly more bothered from storage than voiding symptoms (2 vs. 1.6; P=0.03), and their QoL was directly affected by storage LUTS. Urgency urinary incontinence had the highest positive correlation with SFQ (r=0.542; P<0.01). MS duration and urologic QoL measured by SF-Q were negatively correlated (r=-0.345; P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

In MS patients with LUTS, urologic QoL is mainly affected by storage urinary symptoms. Physicians should use a holistic approach to reduce the risk of complications in these patients, by controlling both voiding and storage symptoms, in particular urgency urinary incontinence that mostly affects patient's QoL.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

Bulbar Symptoms as an Unusual Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex multifactorial disease with different clinical manifestations. Bulbar symptoms such as dysarthria and dysphagia are common in MS patients with advanced secondary progressive disease. However, they are not common at disease onset. We present the case of a 17-year-old male who initially presented with vomiting, dysarthria, and dysphagia. The investigations led to the diagnosis of MS, with an active lesion in the brainstem, more specifically in the area postrema region. Differential diagnoses were eliminated. The patient received intravenous methylprednisolone resulting in amelioration of symptoms. Treatment with fingolimod was started after discharge. The recognition of MS with atypical onsets is important to make an early accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment for a disease known to be one of the most common causes of neurologic disability in young adults.

Osteitis fibrosa cystica mimicking bone tumor, a case report

Background

We report a case of osteitis fibrosa cystica, a rare benign resorptive bone lesion caused by hyperparathyroidism, that presented on imaging as an aggressive bone tumor.

Case presentation

The patient is a 51-year-old male complaining of severe sustained pain of the right hip region. Imaging studies were suspicious for a malignant tumor of the right iliac bone. Biopsy under CT guidance was performed and showed remodeled bone trabeculae with numerous osteoclasts, excluding bone tumor and raising the possibility of osteitis fibrosa cystica. Complementary tests disclosed elevated blood level of parathyroid hormone and a partially cystic enlarged left inferior parathyroid gland consistent with adenoma. After parathyroidectomy, the clinical symptoms were relieved and the radiological findings were significantly improved, which confirmed the diagnosis.

Conclusions

Metabolic diseases-associated bone lesions should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of bone tumors, to avoid unnecessary surgeries and treatments.

Urodynamics in patients with multiple sclerosis: is it necessary? A randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The need for complete urodynamic evaluation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) is not fully established in the literature. The objective was to evaluate the effect of urodynamics in MS patients with LUTS on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

MS patients with LUTS were recruited. On their first visit, urinary symptoms, symptom bother and urologic quality-of-life were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. On their second visit, patients were randomized into two groups: Group A underwent uroflowmetry, and Group B underwent a urodynamic study. Patients received treatment based on the whole evaluation and then were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifty MS patients with LUTS were randomized to 25 patients in each group. All scores decreased significantly after 6 months of treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found between the two groups at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (p > 0.05) concerning treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

A detailed clinical and non-invasive evaluation of MS patients with LUTS seems to be sufficient for prescribing an effective treatment. A urodynamic study does not influence the response to the prescribed treatment in terms of LUTS severity, bother or urologic quality-of-life.

The prevalence of hypertension in multiple sclerosis based on 37 million electronic health records from the United States

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hypertension (HTN) is a common comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS), and it significantly contributes to adverse outcomes. Unfortunately, the distribution of HTN in persons with MS has not been well characterized, and prior estimates have primarily relied on modest sample sizes. The objective of this study was to robustly describe the distribution of HTN in the MS population in comparison to the non-MS population with considerations for age, sex, and race. To date, this is the largest investigation of its kind.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 37 million unique electronic health records available in the IBM Explorys Enterprise Performance Management: Explore database (Explorys) spanning the United States. This resource has previously been validated for use in MS. We evaluated the prevalence of HTN in MS (N = 122 660) and non-MS (N = 37 075 350) cohorts, stratifying by age, sex, and race.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HTN was significantly greater among those with MS than among those without MS across age, sex, and race subpopulations, even after adjusting for age and sex. HTN was 25% more common in MS. In both MS and non-MS cohorts, the prevalence of HTN progressively increased with age and was higher in Black Americans and in males.

DISCUSSION

This study demonstrated that HTN is significantly more common in the MS population compared to the non-MS population, irrespective of sex and race. Because HTN is the leading global risk factor for disability and death, these results emphasize the need for aggressive screening for, and management of, HTN in the MS population.

Impact of Low Ankle-Brachial Index on the Risk of Recurrent Vascular Events

Background and Purpose- Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) identifies a stroke subgroup with high risk of recurrent stroke, cardiovascular events, and death. However, limited data exist on the relationship between low ABI and stroke in low and middle-income countries. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of ABI ≤0.90 (which is diagnostic of peripheral artery disease) in nonembolic stroke patients or transient ischemic attack and assessed the correlation of low ABI with stroke risk, factors, and recurrent vascular events and death. Methods- Patients ≥45 years with acute transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic strokes were recruited consecutively from over 17 low-income and middle-income countries (Latin America [1543 patients], Middle East [1041 patients], North Africa [834 patients], and South Africa [217 patients]). The ABI measurement was performed at a single visit. Stroke recurrence and risk of new vascular events were assessed after 24 months of follow-up. Results- Among 3487 enrolled patients, abnormal ABI (<0.9) was present in 22.3 %. Patients with an ABI of ≤0.9 were more likely ( P<0.05) to be male, older, and have a history of peripheral artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. During 2-year follow-up, the rate of major cardiovascular event was higher in patients with ABI <0.9 than those with ABI ≥0.9 (Kaplan-Meier estimates, 22.5%; 95% CI, 19.6-25.8 versus 13.7%; 21.4-15.1; P<0.001), and when ABI was categorized into 4 groups (≤0.6; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9; 0.9-1; 1-1.4), the rate of major cardiovascular event was higher in those with ABI ≤0.6 than the other groups (Kaplan-Meier estimates, 32.6%; 95% CI, 21.0-48.3 for ABI≤0.6 versus 21.7%; 95% CI, 18.8-25.0 for ABI 0.6-0.9 versus 14.3%; 95% CI, 12.4-16.6 for ABI 0.9-1 versus 13.3%; 95% CI, 11.6-15.2 for ABI 1-1.4; P<0.001). Conclusions- Among patients with nonembolic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, those with low ABI had a higher rate of vascular events and death in this population. Screening for ABI in stroke patients may help identify patients at high risk of future events.

Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis in an Immunocompetent Older Individual-A Rare Complication of Varicella-Zoster Virus Reactivation

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic herpes virus that causes chickenpox in children. After becoming latent in dorsal root ganglia, it can reactivate to cause dermatological manifestations, the most common one being shingles or herpes zoster. Severe neurologic dysfunctions can occur in immunocompromised patients such as encephalitis, meningitis, myelitis and neuropathy. Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is an unusual neurological complication mainly described in immunocompromised patients, with very few cases described in immunocompetent ones. We hereby report a case of VZV-induced LETM in an immunocompetent older adult—a situation rarely described in the literature. LETM is a rare complication of VZV and its pathogenesis; therapeutic interventions and prognosis are far from being fully clarified. However, a prompt diagnosis is needed to allow a rapid initialization of treatment and ensure a better outcome. Although the therapeutic lines are not clear, immunosuppressive agents may have their place in cases of unsuccessful results and/or relapses following acyclovir coupled with a well conducted methylprednisolone therapy. Further studies are highly needed to improve the current understanding of the disease course and mechanisms, and to optimize therapeutic strategies.

Mortality and Predictors of Death Poststroke: Data from a Multicenter Prospective Cohort of Lebanese Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND

Despite efforts to reduce stroke mortality rates, the disease remains a leading cause of death in Lebanon highlighting the importance of understanding risk factors and subsequent mortality. We examined mortality rates during the first year after acute stroke and the major short-term (1-month) and long-term (1-year) mortality predictors.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on hospitalized stroke patients from 8 hospitals in Beirut during a 1-year period. Patients were followed up for 1-year or until death. Mortality rates were assessed at 1-month and at 1-year poststroke and predictors of death were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

A total of 191 stroke patients were included. Survival data were completed for over 97% of patients. Cumulative mortality rates were 14.1% at 1-month and 22% at 1-year. Predictors of short-term and long-term mortality in univariate analysis were low socioeconomic status, intensive care unit admission, decreased level of consciousness, stroke severity, and presence of complications. Marital status also predicted short-term mortality, while age greater than 64 years, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, hypertension, Bamford and TOAST classifications and surgery need were also long-term mortality predictors. In multivariate analysis, stroke severity and presence of complications were predictors of death at 1-month and at 1-year. Low socioeconomic status, dependency in daily living activities, and the presence of comorbidities were additional predictors of 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1 over 5 of patients did not survive 1-year after stroke. There is a need for public awareness campaigns to improve stroke knowledge, warning, and prevention which may reduce this high stroke mortality rate in Lebanon.

Acute ischemic stroke management in Lebanon: obstacles and solutions

Management of acute stroke varies greatly within and between different countries. This study assesses the current practices of physicians in Lebanon routinely involved in ischemic stroke (IS) management. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients hospitalized at 8 different Lebanese hospitals in the period August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, with a diagnosis of acute stroke. Baseline characteristics and data on diagnostic studies, as well as treatments received during hospitalization and at discharge, were collected and analyzed. Two hundred and three strokes/transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) were recorded but only 173 patients (85%) with ischemic events were included in the study. The patients' mean age was 69.8±12.7 years. All underwent brain imaging (CT scan and/or MRI) on admission. All ISs were managed by a neurologist, and patient management included consultation of a cardiologist. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor (78.6%), followed by a current cigarette smoking habit (50.3%), diabetes mellitus (42.8%), hypercholesterolemia (39.9%), previous stroke or TIA (17.3%), and atrial fibrillation (14.7%). Only four patients (accounting for 2.5% of the ISs) received thrombolytic therapy. More than 89% of the patients were discharged on at least one anti-hypertensive drug, 89.2% on statins and 37.6% on antidiabetic medications. More than 55% of patients were dependent at discharge, as shown by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2, whereas 33% were independent (mRS score of 3-5). There are many challenges facing stroke care in Lebanon, and there is potential for improvement in this setting. Reperfusion therapy is still largely underused and remains a major challenge in achieving guideline-based reperfusion goals.

Five-Year Risk of Stroke after TIA or Minor Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

After a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, the long-term risk of stroke and other vascular events is not well known. In this follow-up to a report on 1-year outcomes from a registry of TIA clinics in 21 countries that enrolled 4789 patients with a TIA or minor ischemic stroke from 2009 through 2011, we examined the 5-year risk of stroke and vascular events.

METHODS

We evaluated patients who had had a TIA or minor stroke within 7 days before enrollment in the registry. Among 61 sites that participated in the 1-year outcome study, we selected 42 sites that had follow-up data on more than 50% of their enrolled patients at 5 years. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or death from cardiovascular causes (whichever occurred first), with an emphasis on events that occurred in the second through fifth years. In calculating the cumulative incidence of the primary outcome and secondary outcomes (except death from any cause), we treated death as a competing risk.

RESULTS

A total of 3847 patients were included in the 5-year follow-up study; the median percentage of patients with 5-year follow-up data per center was 92.3% (interquartile range, 83.4 to 97.8). The composite primary outcome occurred in 469 patients (estimated cumulative rate, 12.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8 to 14.1), with 235 events (50.1%) occurring in the second through fifth years. At 5 years, strokes had occurred in 345 patients (estimated cumulative rate, 9.5%; 95% CI, 8.5 to 10.5), with 149 of these patients (43.2%) having had a stroke during the second through fifth years. Rates of death from any cause, death from cardiovascular causes, intracranial hemorrhage, and major bleeding were 10.6%, 2.7%, 1.1%, and 1.5%, respectively, at 5 years. In multivariable analyses, ipsilateral large-artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and a baseline ABCD² score for the risk of stroke (range, 0 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater risk) of 4 or more were each associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

In a follow-up to a 1-year study involving patients who had a TIA or minor stroke, the rate of cardiovascular events including stroke in a selected cohort was 6.4% in the first year and 6.4% in the second through fifth years. (Funded by AstraZeneca and others.).

Specificities of Ischemic Stroke Risk Factors in Arab-Speaking Countries

BACKGROUND

Stroke is largely preventable, and therefore, a better understanding of risk factors is an essential step in reducing the population stroke rate and resulting disease burden in Arab countries.

SUMMARY

We performed 2 separate analyses in 2 similar populations of patients with noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. This first involved 3,635 patients in the Outcomes in Patients with TIA and Cerebrovascular disease (OPTIC) registry (followed for 2 years), with baseline collection of the usual risk factors and 5 socioeconomic variables (unemployment status, residence in rural area, living in fully serviced accommodation, no health-insurance coverage, and low educational level). The second involved patients in the PERFORM trial (n = 19,100 followed up for 2 years), with baseline collection of the usual risk factors and 1 socioeconomic variable (low educational level). The primary outcome was a composite of nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death. Stroke risk factors were more prevalent in patients in Arab countries. The incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE; age- and gender-adjusted) was higher in Arab countries (OPTIC, 18.5 vs. 13.3%; PERFORM, 18.4 vs. 9.7%; both p ≤ 0.0001). These results remained significant after adjustment on risk factors and were attenuated in OPTIC after further adjustment on socioeconomic variables (hazard ratio 1.24; 95% CI 0.98-1.55; p = 0.07). Key Messages: Patients with ischemic stroke living in Arab countries had a lower mean socioeconomic status, a much higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and a higher rate of MACE compared with patients from non-Arab countries. This finding is partly explained by a higher prevalence of risk factors and also by a high prevalence of poverty and low educational level.

Swollen eyelid reveals multiple intracranial hydatid cysts associated with a palpebral cyst

We report a case of a hydatid cyst of the eyelid in a 12-year-old boy associated with cerebral involvement. The patient was initially treated by neurosurgeons for brain cysts. The course after an interval of two months was marked by regression of the palpebral cyst on albendazole.

Impact of living and socioeconomic characteristics on cardiovascular risk in ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to stratify the risk of vascular event recurrence in patients with cerebral infarction according to living and socioeconomic characteristics and geographic region.

METHOD

The Outcomes in Patients with TIA and Cerebrovascular Disease (OPTIC) study is an international prospective study of patients aged 45 years or older who required secondary prevention of stroke [following either an acute transient ischemic attack, minor ischemic strokes, or recent (less than six-months previous), stable, first-ever, nondisabling ischemic stroke]. A total 3635 patients from 245 centers in 17 countries in four regions (Latin America, Middle East, North Africa, South Africa) were enrolled between 2007 and 2008. The outcome measure was the two-year rate of a composite of major vascular events (vascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke).

RESULTS

During the two-year follow-up period, 516 patients experienced at least one major cardiovascular event, resulting in an event rate of 15·6% (95% confidence interval 14·4-16·9%). Event rates varied across geographical region (P < 0·001), ranging from 13·0% in Latin America to 20·7% in North Africa. Unemployment status, living in a rural area, not living in fully serviced accommodation (i.e., house or apartment with its own electricity, toilet and water supply), no health insurance coverage, and low educational level (less than two-years of schooling) were predictors of major vascular events. Major vascular event rates steeply increased with the number of low-quality living/socioeconomic conditions (from 13·4% to 47·9%, adjusted P value for trend <0·001).

CONCLUSION

Vascular risk in stroke patients in low- and middle-income countries varies not only with the number of arterial beds involved but also with socioeconomic variables.

Spectrum of transient visual symptoms in a transient ischemic attack cohort

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transient visual symptoms (TVS) are common complaints. They can be related to transient ischemic attacks, but the nature of the symptoms often remains uncertain, and data on prognosis are scarce. We studied the prevalence, presentation, and effect of different types of TVS, paying particular attention to the association with high-risk pathology of embolism.

METHODS

A total of 2398 patients with suspected transient ischemic attack admitted to the SOS-TIA clinic between January 2003 and December 2008 underwent immediate evaluation and treatment.

RESULTS

Eight hundred twenty-six (34.5%) patients had TVS, including 422 (17.6%) patients with isolated TVS. Transient monocular blindness was the most frequent TVS (36.3%), followed by diplopia (13.4%), homonymous lateral hemianopia (12.3%), bilateral positive visual phenomena (10.8%), and lone bilateral blindness (4.5%). Positive diffusion-weighted imaging was found in 11.8%, 8.1%, 8.1%, and 5.0% of patients with homonymous lateral hemianopia, diplopia, lone bilateral blindness, and transient monocular blindness, respectively. Among 1850 patients (595 patients with TVS) with definite/possible transient ischemic attack or minor stroke, a major source of embolism of cardiac or arterial origin was found less frequently in patients with isolated or nonisolated TVS than in patients without TVS (19.6%; 19.7% versus 28.1%, respectively; P<0.001). However, we found a higher rate of atrial fibrillation in patients with homonymous lateral hemianopia (23.2%) than in patients with other TVS (4.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 6.71; 95% confidence interval, 2.99-15.06) or nonvisual symptoms (9.1%; adjusted odds ratio, 4.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.26-8.50).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 20% of patients with TVS had a major source of embolism detected, requiring urgent management. Atrial fibrillation was particularly frequent in patients with transient homonymous lateral hemianopia.

Overlap of diseases underlying ischemic stroke: the ASCOD phenotyping

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

ASCOD phenotyping (A, atherosclerosis; S, small vessel disease; C, cardiac pathology; O, other causes; and D, dissection) assigns a degree of likelihood to every potential cause (1 for potentially causal, 2 for causality is uncertain, 3 for unlikely causal but disease is present, 0 for absence of disease, and 9 for insufficient workup to rule out the disease) commonly encountered in ischemic stroke. We used ASCOD to investigate the overlap of underlying vascular diseases and their prognostic implication.

METHODS

A single rater applied ASCOD in 405 patients enrolled in the Asymptomatic Myocardial Ischemia in Stroke and Atherosclerotic Disease study.

RESULTS

A was present in 90% of patients (A1=43% and A2=15%), C in 52% (C1=23% and C2=14%), and S in 66% (S1=11% and S2=2%). On the basis of grades 1 and 2, 25% of patients had multiple underlying diseases, and 80% when all 3 grades were considered. The main overlap was found between A and C; among C1 patients, A was present in 92% of cases (A1=28%, A2=20%, and A3=44%). Conversely, among A1 patients, C was present in 47% of cases (C1=15%, C2=15%, and C3=17%). Grades for C were associated with gradual increase in the 3-year risk of vascular events, whereas risks were similar across A grades, meaning that the mere presence of atherosclerotic disease qualifies for high risk, regardless the degree of likelihood for A.

CONCLUSIONS

ASCOD phenotyping shows that the large overlap among the 3 main diseases, and the high prevalence of any form of atherosclerotic disease, reinforces the need to systematically control atherosclerotic risk factors in all ischemic strokes.

Coronary Artery Disease and Risk of Major Vascular Events After Cerebral Infarction

Background and Purpose—

The impact of asymptomatic coronary artery disease on the risk of major vascular events in patients with cerebral infarction is unknown.

Methods—

Four hundred five patients with acute cerebral infarction underwent carotid, femoral artery, thoracic, and abdominal aorta ultrasound examination. Of 342 patients with no known coronary heart disease, 315 underwent coronary angiography. We evaluated the 2-year risk of major vascular events (myocardial infarction, resuscitation after cardiac arrest, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, stroke, or major peripheral arterial disease events) in patients with known coronary heart disease (n=63), and in the no known coronary heart disease group (n=315) as a function of coronary angiographic status (n=315).

Results—

At 2 years, the estimated risk of major vascular events was 11.0% (95% confidence interval, 8.2–14.7). According to baseline coronary angiography, estimated risk was 3.4% in patients with no coronary artery disease (n=120), 8.0% with asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis <50% (n=113), 16.2% with asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis ≥50% (n=81), and 24.1% with known coronary heart disease ( P <0.0001). Using no coronary artery disease as the reference, the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of vascular events was 2.10 (0.63–6.96) for asymptomatic coronary stenosis <50%, 4.36 (1.35–14.12) for asymptomatic coronary stenosis ≥50%, and 6.86 (2.15–21.31) for known coronary artery disease.

Conclusions—

In patients with nonfatal cerebral infarction, presence and extent of asymptomatic stenoses on coronary angiography are strong predictors of major vascular events within 2 years.

Demographics, socio-economic characteristics, and risk factor prevalence in patients with non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke in low- and middle-income countries: the OPTIC registry

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on patients with stroke/transient ischaemic attack in low- and middle-income countries. We sought to describe the characteristics and management of patients with an ischaemic stroke and recent transient ischaemic attack or minor ischaemic strokes in low- or middle-income countries.

METHODS

The Outcomes in Patients with TIA and Cerebrovascular disease registry is an international, prospective study. Patients ≥ 45 years who required secondary prevention of stroke (either following an acute transient ischaemic attack or minor ischaemic strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale <4) of <24 h duration, or recent (<6 months), stable, first-ever, non-disabling ischaemic stroke) were enrolled in 17 countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The main measures of interest were risk factors, comorbidities, and socio-economic variables.

RESULTS

Between January 2007 and December 2008, 3635 patients were enrolled in Latin America (n = 1543), the Middle East (n = 1041), North Africa (n = 834), and South Africa (n = 217). Of these, 63% had a stable, first-ever ischaemic stroke (median delay from symptom onset to inclusion, 25 days interquartile range, 7-77); 37% had an acute transient ischaemic attack or minor ischaemic stroke (median delay, two-days; interquartile range, 0-6). Prevalence of diabetes was 46% in the Middle East, 29% in Latin America, 35% in South Africa, and 38% in North Africa; 72% had abdominal obesity (range, 65-78%; adjusted P < 0.001); prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 78% (range, 72-84%, P < 0.001). Abnormal ankle brachial index (<0.9) was present in 22%, peripheral artery disease in 7.6%, and coronary artery disease in 13%. Overall, 24% of patients had no health insurance and 27% had a low educational level.

INTERPRETATION

In this study, patients in low- and middle-income countries had a high burden of modifiable risk factors. High rates of low educational level and lack of health insurance in certain regions are potential obstacles to risk factor control.

FUNDING

The Outcomes in Patients with TIA and Cerebrovascular disease registry is supported by Sanofi-Aventis, Paris, France.

Cerebral and extracerebral vasoreactivity in symptomatic lacunar stroke patients: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Whether cerebral artery endothelial dysfunction is a key factor of symptomatic lacunar stroke and cerebral small vessel disease remains unclear.

METHODS

Cerebral and extracerebral vasoreactivity were measured in 81 patients with recent symptomatic lacunar stroke and in 81 control subjects matched for main vascular risk factors. Cerebral vasoreactivity and carotid endothelial-dependent vasodilation were measured after five-minutes of carbon dioxide-induced hypercapnia. Brachial endothelial-dependent vasodilation was assessed after hyperemia induced by deflating a cuff around the forearm previously inflated to 200 mmHg for four-minutes. Carotid and brachial endothelial-independent vasodilation were measured five-minutes after administration of sublingual nitroglycerin 300 μg. Brain magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed in lacunar stroke patients.

RESULTS

One-month after stroke onset, patients had more severely impaired cerebral vasoreactivitys than matched controls (mean ± standard deviation, 14·4 ± 12·1% vs. 19·4 ± 17·4%; P = 0·049). Severe alterations of both carotid and brachial endothelial-dependent and at a lesser degree of carotid and brachial endothelial-independent vasodilation were observed in both groups. After adjustment for confounders, subjects with a cerebral vasoreactivity value in the two lower tertiles (≤19·6%) were more likely to have had a symptomatic lacunar stroke (adjusted odds ratio, 3·78; 95% confidence interval, 1·42 to 10·08; P = 0·008). Only alteration of brachial endothelial-independent vasodilation correlated with parenchymal abnormalities, namely microbleeds and leukoaraiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

While abnormalities in extracerebral vasoreactivity seem related to vascular risk factors, the severity of endothelial dysfunction in cerebral arteries may be determinant in the occurrence of symptomatic lacunar stroke in patients with small vessel disease.

Abstract 2365: Impact of Socioeconomic Level on Cardiovascular Risk in Ischemic Stroke Patients: The OPTIC Registry

Background : The impact of socioeconomic factors (SEF) on the risk of future vascular events in stroke patients has been understudied. The Outcomes in Patients with TIA and Cerebrovascular disease (OPTIC) registry included patients in secondary prevention of stroke.

Objective : to stratify the risk of vascular event recurrence in patients with cerebral infarction according to presence of PAD, ankle-brachial index (ABI), known coronary artery disease (CAD), involvement of several arterial beds, geographic variations and SEF.

Method : Between January 2007 and December 2008, 3635 patients aged 45 years or older were enrolled in the OPTIC registry from 245 sites in 17 countries in the following regions: Latin America (1543 patients), Middle East (1041 patients), North Africa (834 patients), and South Africa (217 patients). PAD was present in 7.8%, ABI in 22%, CAD in 12.8%, and 31.1% were unemployed, 26.2% had less than 2 school years, 23% of patients had no health insurance, 12.8% lived in rural area, 8.4% lived alone, 7.5% did not live in a house/flat. Primary endpoint included vascular death (VD), myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.

Results : During median follow-up of 731 days, 524 patients had at least 1 primary event; 190 patients had VD, 88 nonfatal MI, and 296 nonfatal stroke. The estimated risk of primary endpoint was 15.6% (95%CI, 14.4-17.0%) at 2-year. The risk increased with the number of vascular beds involved from 13.1% to 30.7% (p for trend<0.001). Using patients from Latin America as reference, age-sex-adjusted HR was 1.29 (95%CI, 1.04-1.60) for Middle East, 1.31 (95%CI, 0.90-1.89) for South Africa, and 1.64 (95%CI, 1.32-2.04) for North Africa. The absolute additional risk of having a primary endpoint ranged between, 4.7% for unemployed patients to 17.5% for patients not living in a house/flat. In multivariate analysis, living in rural area, not living in a house/flat, unemployment status, no health insurance cover, and less than 2-years school were associated with an increased cardiovascular risk (all adjusted p<0.004). There was a stepwise increase in the primary endpoint with the number of low SEF ranging from 13% to 62% (adjusted p-value for trend<0.001).

Conclusions : vascular risk in stroke patients in North and South Africa, Middle East and Latin America varies not only with the number of arterial beds involved but also with socio-economic variables, particularly poor health insurance cover, not living in a house/flat and low education level

Atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with transient ischemic attack

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is mounting evidence that atherogenic dyslipidemia (ie, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol combined with high triglyceride concentrations) is an independent predictor of high cardiovascular risk and possibly of stroke.

METHODS

All patients included in the SOS-TIA cohort underwent an initial standardized evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, routine blood biochemistry, and diagnostic testing, and were followed for 1 year. Lipid profile was evaluated under fasting conditions. Atherogenic dyslipidemia was defined as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol blood concentration ≤ 40 mg/dL and triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL.

RESULTS

Among 1471 consecutive patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, overall prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia was 5.8%, but varied from 4.6% to 11.1%, depending on final diagnosis (possible TIA or TIA with a cerebral ischemic lesion, respectively). Prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia was independently associated with male sex, diabetes, and body mass index, but not with ABCD2 score. Atherogenic dyslipidemia also strongly associated with symptomatic intracranial stenosis ≥ 50% (adjusted odds ratio, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.38-5.55), but not with symptomatic extracranial stenosis ≥ 50% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.64-2.26). Despite appropriate secondary prevention treatment, 90-day stroke risk was greater in patients with versus without atherogenic dyslipidemia (4.8% versus 1.7%; P=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The atherogenic dyslipidemia phenotype in patients with TIA may be associated with intracranial artery stenosis and higher risk of early recurrent stroke. Additional data are needed to confirm these findings and to assess the best way to reduce important residual risk in such patients.

Impact of a combined intravenous/intra-arterial approach in octogenarians

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) alteplase is not currently recommended in octogenarian patients, and the benefit/risk ratio of endovascular (intra-arterial, IA) therapy remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a combined IV-IA approach in octogenarians.

METHODS

From a single-centre interventional study, we report age-specific outcomes of patients treated by a combined IV-IA thrombolytic approach. Patients ≥80 years with documented arterial occlusion treated by conventional IV thrombolysis constituted the control group.

RESULTS

Among 84 patients treated by the IV-IA approach, those ≥80 years (n = 25) had a similar rate of early neurological improvement to that of patients <80 years, whereas the 90-day favourable outcome rate was lower in octogenarians (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.06-0.75). No difference in symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was observed whereas a higher rate of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 0.76-14.14) and asymptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (adjusted OR, 6.39; 95% CI, 1.54-26.63) were found in patients ≥80 years old. Among octogenarians, and compared to IV-thrombolysis-treated patients (n = 24), patients treated by the IV-IA approach had a higher rate of recanalization (76 vs. 33%, p = 0.003) associated with increased early neurological improvement (32 vs. 8%, p = 0.07). Although there was a higher rate of asymptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (44 vs. 8%, p = 0.005) observed in the IV-IA group, no difference existed in symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage rates and 90-day favourable outcome.

CONCLUSION

The IV-IA approach in octogenarians was associated with lower efficacy at 3 months and higher mortality and asymptomatic haemorrhagic complications than in patients <80 years old. Definite recommendations cannot be given, but an endovascular approach may cause more harm than positive effects in patients over 80 years and should not be considered outside an approved protocol.

Outcomes of mechanical endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke: a clinical registry study and systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recanalization is a powerful predictor of stroke outcome in patients with arterial occlusion. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is limited by its recanalization rate, which may be improved with mechanical endovascular therapy (MET). However, the benefit and safety of MET remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to give reliable estimates of efficacy and safety outcomes of MET.

METHODS

We analyzed data from our prospective clinical registry and conducted a systematic review of all previous studies using MET published between January 1966 and November 2009.

RESULTS

From April 2007 to November 2009, 47 patients with acute stroke were treated with MET at Bichat Hospital. The literature search identified 31 previous studies involving a total of 1066 subjects. In the meta-analysis, including our registry data, the overall recanalization rate was 79% (95% CI, 73-84). Meta-analysis of clinical outcomes showed a pooled estimate of 40% (95% CI, 34-46; 27 studies) for favorable outcome, 28% (95% CI, 23-33; 28 studies) for mortality, and 8% (95% CI, 6-10; 27 studies) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. The likelihood of a favorable outcome increased with the use of thrombolysis (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.23-3.22) and with proportion of patients with isolated middle cerebral artery occlusion (OR per 10% increase, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.25).

CONCLUSIONS

MET is associated with acceptable safety and efficacy in stroke patients, and it may be a therapeutic option in those presenting with isolated middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Yield of systematic transcranial Doppler in patients with transient ischemic attack

OBJECTIVE

Urgent evaluation and treatment of transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients in a dedicated TIA clinic may reduce the 90-day stroke risk by 80%. ABCD2 (Age, Blood pressure, Clinical features, Duration, Diabetes) score and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities help to identify patients at high risk of stroke. Our aim was to determine whether the use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) examination on arrival at the TIA clinic yields additional information that facilitates the identification of patients at high risk of stroke recurrence.

METHODS

Between January 2003 and December 2007, 1,881 patients were admitted to SOS-TIA clinic (a TIA clinic with around-the-clock access). Clinical and vascular assessment included TCD performed by a neurologist immediately after admission. Stroke prevention measures were initiated on arrival, in accordance with guidelines. All patients were followed for 1 year after presentation to the SOS-TIA clinic.

RESULTS

A total of 1,823 TCD examinations were performed within 4 hours of admission. Intracranial narrowing or occlusion was found in 8.8% of patients, and was independently associated with age, hypertension, and diabetes. After 1-year follow-up on best preventive therapy, the incidence of recurrent vascular events (intracranial revascularization for TIA recurrence, stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death combined) was 7.0% in patients with intracranial narrowing or occlusion and 2.4% in those without (log-rank, p = 0.007). The hazard ratio of combined outcome for the presence of intracranial narrowing or occlusion was 2.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.56; p = 0.02) in multivariate analysis including age, gender, hypertension, and diabetes, and was 2.50 (95%CI, 1.24-5.05; p = 0.01) in multivariate analysis including ABCD2 score > or =4.

INTERPRETATION

Immediate TCD examination on arrival at the TIA clinic is feasible and could help to identify patients at high risk of vascular events recurrence. This study supports a systematic intracranial vascular examination in the initial management of TIA.

Prevalence of subdiaphragmatic visceral infarction in cardioembolic stroke

BACKGROUND

A substantial proportion of ischemic strokes have an embolic mechanism, but the source of embolism is not detected. Coexistence of subdiaphragmatic visceral infarction (SDVI; e.g., renal, splenic, hepatic, bowel infarction) may be a suggestion of a common source of embolism. One large autopsy study found SDVI in 21.5% of patients with fatal stroke.

METHOD

We performed diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance abdominal imaging and subsequently performed it in consecutive patients with stroke or TIA and a history of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

RESULTS

Among 27 patients, 6 had SDVI (3 recent renal, 1 recent splenic, and 3 old splenic infarction). The median time between onset of ischemic stroke and abdominal MRI was 8 days (interquartile range 3-15 days). No predictive factor of SDVI was found in this study population with respect to demographic or ultrasound characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

One in 5 patients with nonfatal cardioembolic stroke or TIA may be associated with subdiaphragmatic visceral infarction (SDVI). Further study should evaluate the frequency of SDVI in patients with stroke of unknown cause.

Comparison of intravenous alteplase with a combined intravenous-endovascular approach in patients with stroke and confirmed arterial occlusion (RECANALISE study): a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of intravenous (IV) alteplase is restricted by the speed of recanalisation and the site of the occlusion. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of a combined IV-endovascular approach (intra-arterial alteplase and, if required, additional thrombectomy) in patients with stroke due to arterial occlusion.

METHODS

We compared recanalisation rates, neurological improvement at 24 h, and functional outcome at 3 months between two periods (February, 2002, to March, 2007, vs April, 2007, to October, 2008) in patients in a prospective registry who were treated with different regimens of alteplase within 3 h of symptom onset. Patients with confirmed occlusion who were treated before April, 2007, were treated with IV alteplase; after April, 2007, patients were treated with a systematic IV-endovascular approach. Analysis was by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

46 (87%) of 53 patients treated with the IV-endovascular approach achieved recanalisation versus 56 (52%) of 107 patients in the IV group (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.49, 95% CI 1.21-1.84; p=0.0002). Early neurological improvement (NIHSS score of 0 or 1 or an improvement of 4 points or more at 24 h) occurred in 32 (60%) patients in the IV-endovascular group and 42 (39%) patients in the IV group (adjusted RR 1.36, 0.97-1.91; p=0.07). Favourable outcome (mRS of 0-2 at 90 days) occurred in 30 (57%) patients in the IV-endovascular group and 47 (44%) patients in the IV group (adjusted RR 1.16, 0.85-1.58; p=0.35). The mortality rate at 90 days was 17% in both groups, and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was reported in five (9%) patients in the IV-endovascular group and in 12 (11%) patients in the IV group. Better clinical outcome was associated with recanalisation in both groups and with time to recanalisation in the IV-endovascular group.

INTERPRETATION

An IV-endovascular approach is associated with higher recanalisation rates than is IV alteplase in patients with stroke and confirmed arterial occlusion. In patients treated with an IV-endovascular approach, a shorter time from symptom onset to recanalisation is associated with better clinical outcomes.

Outcomes of Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Therapy According to Gender

Background and Purpose— The natural history of stroke is worse in women than in men. Controversial data have been published on the efficacy of thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) according to gender. We evaluated gender differences in the efficacy and safety outcomes of intravenous rtPA using a clinical registry and systematic review.

Methods— Since January 2002, we collected baseline characteristics and efficacy and safety outcomes for patients who received intravenous rtPA in our center. We performed a systematic PubMed literature search for previous observational studies that examined gender effects on outcomes after intravenous rtPA treatment.

Results— No gender difference in good outcome at 3 months (adjusted OR for women, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.76 to 2.60) and in 90-day mortality (adjusted OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.59 to 3.19) was found in our registry. We identified 16 studies that evaluated the gender effect among intravenous rtPA-treated patients. None of these studies supported a gender difference in favorable outcome, and one suggested an increased risk of mortality in men. In unadjusted partial meta-analysis in 4074 women and 5840 men including our registry data, we found a trend toward a lower risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in women (crude OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.10).

Conclusions— These results suggest no gender difference in outcome among patients treated with intravenous rtPA.

Prevalence of nephroangiosclerosis in patients with fatal stroke

BACKGROUND

Glomerular filtration rate and decline in renal function can be improved by global cardiovascular prevention. However, the prevalence of nephroangiosclerosis in patients with stroke is unknown.

METHODS

Using an autopsy data bank, we studied the prevalence of nephroangiosclerosis in 820 consecutive autopsies of neurologic patients.

RESULTS

Among the 820 autopsies, 354 had pathologic evidence of stroke and 466 had other neurologic diseases. Nephroangiosclerosis was found in 39.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.7-44.9) of patients with stroke vs 9.0% (95% CI, 6.4-11.6) in patients with other neurologic diseases. The odds ratio (OR) for nephroangiosclerosis, adjusted for age and sex, was 4.37 (95% CI, 2.92-6.52), and was 2.94 (95% CI, 1.83-4.74) after further adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Among the 354 stroke patients, the prevalence of nephroangiosclerosis was similar in patients with brain infarction and in those with brain hemorrhage, in patients with or without parenchymal abnormalities related to small-vessel disease, and across ischemic stroke subtypes except for those with coexisting causes. After multivariable analysis, nephroangiosclerosis was independently associated with age and history of hypertension in patients with stroke, and with age in those with other neurologic diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Nephroangiosclerosis is common in patients with fatal stroke. The association is independent of age, sex, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Impaired renal function should be monitored and prevented in stroke patients with high blood pressure.

Acute blindness

A 15-year-old man presenting with cortical blindness as the initial symptom of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is reported. He showed fluctuating consciousness and severe occipital headache with nausea and vomiting. T2 and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the occipital lobes. Electroencephalography showed diffuse sharp waves with focal epileptic discharges over the posterior region. The nature of stroke-like episodes and seizure mechanisms is unexplained in MELAS. Consequently, the possible mechanisms of the cortical blindness in this case are discussed.

PDGF up-regulates CSF-1 gene transcription in ameloblast-like cells

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is a key regulatory cytokine for amelogenesis, and ameloblasts synthesize CSF-1. We hypothesized that PDGF stimulates DNA synthesis and regulates CSF-1 in these cells. We determined the effect of PDGF on CSF-1 expression using MEOE-3M ameloblasts as a model. By RT-PCR, MEOE-3M expressed PDGFRs and PDGF A- and B-chain mRNAs. PDGF-BB increased DNA synthesis and up-regulated CSF-1 mRNA and protein in MEOE-3M. Cells transfected with CSF-1 promoter deletion constructs were analyzed. A PDGF-responsive region between -1.7 and -0.795 kb, containing a consensus Pea3 binding motif, was identified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that PDGF-BB stimulated protein binding to this motif that was inhibited in the presence of anti-Pea3 antibody. Analysis of these data provides the first evidence that PDGF-BB is a mitogen for MEOE-3M and increases CSF-1 protein levels, predominantly by transcription. Elucidation of the cellular pathways that control CSF-1 expression may provide novel strategies for the regulation of enamel matrix formation.

A transient ischaemic attack clinic with round-the-clock access (SOS-TIA): feasibility and effects

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis and treatment of cerebral and retinal transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) are often delayed by the lack of immediate access to a dedicated TIA clinic. We evaluated the effects of rapid assessment of patients with TIA on clinical decision making, length of hospital stay, and subsequent stroke rates.

METHODS

We set up SOS-TIA, a hospital clinic with 24-h access. Patients were admitted if they had sudden retinal or cerebral focal symptoms judged to relate to ischaemia and if they made a total recovery. Assessment, which included neurological, arterial, and cardiac imaging, was within 4 h of admission. A leaflet about TIA with a toll-free telephone number for SOS-TIA was sent to 15 000 family doctors, cardiologists, neurologists, and ophthalmologists in Paris and its administrative region. Endpoints were stroke within 90 days, and stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death within 1 year.

FINDINGS

Between January, 2003, and December, 2005, we admitted 1085 patients with suspected TIA; 574 (53%) were seen within 24 h of symptom onset. 701 (65%) patients had confirmed TIA or minor stroke, and 144 (13%) had possible TIA. 108 (17%) of the 643 patients with confirmed TIA had brain tissue damage. Median duration of symptoms was 15 min (IQR 5-75 min). Of the patients with confirmed or possible TIA, all started a stroke prevention programme, 43 (5%) had urgent carotid revascularisation, and 44 (5%) were treated for atrial fibrillation with anticoagulants. 808 (74%) of all patients seen were sent home on the same day. The 90-day stroke rate was 1.24% (95% CI 0.72-2.12), whereas the rate predicted from ABCD(2) scores was 5.96%.

INTERPRETATION

Use of TIA clinics with 24-h access and immediate initiation of preventive treatment might greatly reduce length of hospital stay and risk of stroke compared with expected risk.

Stent-assisted endovascular thrombolysis versus intravenous thrombolysis in internal carotid artery dissection with tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion independently predicts poor outcome after intravenous thrombolysis. Recanalization of internal carotid artery dissection by stent-assisted angioplasty has recently been proposed when anticoagulation fails to prevent a new ischemic event. We recently reported a case of tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion with dissection of the internal carotid artery successfully treated with endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis.

METHODS

We compared clinical outcomes in consecutive patients presenting with tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion with internal carotid artery dissection within 3 hours of symptom onset who were eligible for intravenous thrombolysis, treated by either endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis or intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) when an endovascular therapist was unavailable. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were obtained at baseline and after 24 hours. The modified Rankin Scale score was used to assess outcomes at 3 months. Arterial recanalization was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Of 10 patients screened, 6 were treated with endovascular therapy and 4 with intravenous rtPA. Before treatment, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were high and comparable in the 2 groups (17 and 16, respectively). In the endovascular group, all patients achieved middle cerebral artery recanalization with subsequent dramatic improvement versus only 1 patient with middle cerebral artery recanalization in the intravenous rtPA group. At 3 months, 4 patients in the endovascular group had a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score=0). In the intravenous rtPA group, 3 patients had a poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score> or =3).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis is a promising treatment in tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion due to internal carotid artery dissection and compares favorably with intravenous rtPA.

Prevalence and determinants of subdiaphragmatic visceral infarction in patients with fatal stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Arterial thromboembolism is a common cause of both visceral and brain infarctions. Because the cause of brain infarction is unknown in up to 39% of patients, the discovery of subdiaphragmatic visceral infarction (SDVI) in this context is important, but its frequency is unknown. We therefore investigated the prevalence of SDVI in subjects who died from stroke. We also evaluated the yield of SDVI diagnosis for stroke subtyping.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study using a series of 815 consecutive autopsies of patients who had died from a neurological disease, including 350 with stroke (260 infarcts and 90 hemorrhages). We systematically assessed the presence of renal, splenic, and mesenteric infarction (no case of spinal cord was recorded) and analyzed their determinants in patients with stroke. Patients with other neurological diseases served as the control group.

RESULTS

Renal infarction was the most frequent SDVI (10.2%), whereas mesenteric infarction was rare (1.1%). At least one SDVI was found in 16.9% of patients with stroke (38.7% of patients with a cardioembolic stroke) and in 5.1% of patients with other neurological diseases (adjusted OR=2.12; 95% CI=1.08 to 4.16). Among patients with stroke, a significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of SDVI was found across etiological stroke subgroups with only three patients (3.3%) with hemorrhagic stroke having an SDVI (2 mesenteric and one renal infarction) compared with 56 patients (21.5%) with ischemic stroke (P<0.0001). Among patients with brain infarction and a SDVI, 76.8% had a definite cardiac source of embolism.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with fatal brain infarction, the prevalence of SDVI is higher than previously thought, especially in those with stroke attributed to cardiac emboli. Seeking SDVI may assist in the etiologic diagnosis of brain infarction.

Ischemia-modified albumin in acute stroke

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA)is a new biological marker of ischemia. Previous studies have found increased serum IMA levels after myocardial ischemia, but no study has investigated the possibility that stroke modifies IMA blood levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 118 consecutive patients presenting within 3 h of the onset of an acute neurological deficit [84 brain infarctions (BI), 18 brain hemorrhages (ICH) and 16 transient ischemic attacks lasting less than 1 h or epileptic seizures]. Serum samples were obtained for all patients at initial presentation and repeated only in patients with stroke at 6, 12 and 24 h. IMA was measured by the albumin-cobalt-binding test (Ischemia Technologies, Denver, Colo., USA).

RESULTS

The initial median IMA (bootstrap 95% confidence interval, CI) was 83 U/ml (79-86) and 86 U/ml (75-90) in patients with BI and ICH, respectively (p = 0.76), and was 73 U/ml (58-79) in others (p = 0.003 compared with BI, and p = 0.017 with ICH). Baseline IMA levels correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.34 (p = 0.002) in BI, 0.61 (p = 0.008) in ICH]. During the first 24 h, IMA levels increased in BI patients (median, 9.1%; bootstrap 95% CI, 5.2-11.5), whereas no change was observed in ICH patients (median, 1.2%; bootstrap 95% CI, -7.8 to 6.8).

CONCLUSIONS

IMA blood levels may be a biomarker for early identification of acute stroke. Further studies are required to investigate the role of IMA in the early detection of acute stroke.

Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure in young patients with both cryptogenic brain infarction and PFO associated with Atrial Septal Aneurysm (ASA)

BACKGROUND

To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for the prevention of recurrent stroke in high-risk patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between January 2002 and March 2005, 40 patients (65% female), mean (SD) age 43 (10) years were identified using the following inclusion criteria: <60 years, recent brain infarction (<3 months), combination of PFO plus atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and exclusion of any other thromboembolic cause. Percutaneous PFO closure was performed under general anaesthesia and under the guidance of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Aspirin and clopidogrel were given for three months after PFO closure, followed by aspirin alone. Neurological examination was performed every three months.

RESULTS

PFO closure was successful in all patients, using all devices: INTRASEPT in 34 cases, STARFlex in 5 cases and AMPLATZER in one case. At day one, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) excluded malpositioning of the device or pericardial effusion. At 6 months, TTE and TEE confirmed satisfactory implantation of the device, with no spontaneous shunt. No device related thrombi was observed. Mean patient follow-up was 17+/-7 months (range 12-38) and was 100% complete. No patients suffered from recurrent stroke (neither transient ischaemic attack nor brain infarction).

CONCLUSION

This preliminary experience is encouraging for PFO closure with a 0% risk of stroke recurrence rate in a high-risk subset of patients (< 60 years, recent cryptogenic stroke, PFO plus ASA) and is safe using the current technology. Larger series with longer follow-up and randomised studies are still necessary in this setting before the completion of guidelines.

Insular involvement in brain infarction increases risk for cardiac arrhythmia and death

OBJECTIVE

Brain injuries may induce cardiac dysrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

METHODS

We analyzed 12-lead electrocardiograms of 493 consecutive patients with brain infarction (BI) proved by an magnetic resonance imaging and 493 control subjects matched for age, sex, and center. Insular involvement (insula (+/-)) was assessed by two independent readings of the magnetic resonance imaging scans. Cases were followed for 5 years.

RESULTS

Acute BI was independently associated with heart rate (< or = 64 beats/min), abnormal repolarization, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular and supraventricular ectopic beats. Lower heart rate in BI patients was due to an interaction with smoking (p for interaction = 0.004). Insula(+) group was significantly associated with abnormal repolarization with no interaction with infarct side. Atrial fibrillation by history was also more frequent in the insula(+) than in the insula(-) group (p = 0.07). After adjustment for age, sex, cardiovascular history, and handicap at admission, right insula(+) BI was significantly associated with 2-year all-cause death (hazard ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-3.52) and with vascular death (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-3.93). In multivariate analysis including age, sex, cardiovascular history, handicap at admission, and lesion side, increased QTc interval and left bundle branch block were independent predictors of all-cause and vascular mortality at 2 years in right insula(+) patients.

INTERPRETATION

These findings support the notion that right insular involvement may lead to electrocardiographic abnormalities with potential prognostic implications. This could be important for optimal care in patients with right insular infarct.

High blood pressure in early acute stroke: a sign of a poor outcome?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of admission blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke by determining whether it contributes to clinical outcome and vascular death.

METHODS

We studied 230 consecutive patients admitted within the first 24 h after the onset of ischemic stroke. We used the first systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements recorded on admission. The functional outcome was assessed on the basis of mortality or dependency (Rankin Scale > 3) at the 10-day and 6-month visits.

RESULTS

High systolic blood pressure on admission was associated with poor outcome at the 10-day and 6-month visits, independent of the baseline risk factors but not of the severity of the initial stroke (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-3.87). The spontaneous decrease in systolic blood pressure within the first 10 days was higher in patients with functional improvement. The admission blood pressure was not significantly associated with total and vascular deaths, except for a threshold effect of diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

After an acute stroke, the relationship between blood pressure and clinical outcome depended on the severity of the stroke on presentation, and on the level and trend of the systolic blood pressure during the first 24 h.

[Thrombolysis and acute cerebral infarction]

Thrombolytic therapy are the most important advance in the management of acute ischemic stroke and has been evaluated in several randomised trials. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-Pa) is effective within 3 h of onset of ischemic stroke and this efficacy is similar between different stroke subtypes. New trials will determine if extension of this time-window can be substantiated. Therapy beyond the 3-hour window, with intra-arterial thrombolysis, appears to improve outcome but are applicable to selected group of patients. Thrombolytic drugs can also carry an important risk (5 % to 10 %) of brain hemorrhage and edema that can prove fatal. The risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage is directly proportional to stroke severity and inversely proportional to time to treatment. There is a growing interest in the use of MRI in acute ischemic stroke. It helps identify location of early cerebral ischemia and provides valuable information not only of the penumbra but also of vessel occlusion. Its use might help in selecting patients who will benefit most from treatment such as thrombolysis. In spite of these results, community use of thrombolytic therapy remains dismally low. Many physicians and medical centers are not presently equipped or willing to give thrombolytic drugs for stroke treatment. Increasing stroke awareness in the community, creating stroke unit and physicians education are necessary to extend the effective use of acute treatment in cerebral infarct to a larger group of patients.