[Effet blouse blanche résiduel : un outil pertinent en soins premiers?]

BACKGROUND

White coat effect (WCE) and white coat hypertension (WCH) are hardly both compared in primary care.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of repeated measures of systolic blood pressure (SBP) to dissociate various forms of white-coat interactions.

METHODS

An open cross-sectional study on consecutive patients treated or not for high blood pressure was made in family physicians' offices. SBP was measured 5 times by an electronic device. Measurements were performed before (SBP1) and after (SBP5) the office visit by a lay assistant and at the beginning (SBP2), middle (SBP3) and end (SBP4) of visit, by the family physician. Home BP (HBPM) was measured from 3 consecutive days by the patient. WCE and office WCE tail (OWCET) were defined, respectively, as a 10 mmHg SBP increase or decrease between SBP2-SBP1 or SBP4-SBP2. WCH was considered when HBPM was normal (SBP < 135 mmHg) at home and high during the SBP2 office visit.

RESULTS

Two hundred five patients (134 women versus 71 men, ratio 1.9, aged 59.8±15.7 years) were recruited. In categorical terms, there were 51 patients (25%) who presented with WCE, OWCET was seen in 121 patients (62%) and 47 patients (23%) had WCH. Only 36 patients (18%) presented both OWCET and WCE and 32 (16%) had both OWCET and WCH. The receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) of OWCET in diagnosing WCE or WCH were respectively 0.67 (p<0.0001) and 0.53 (NS).

CONCLUSION

Thus, OWCET was predictive of WCE and not of WCH and it is worthwhile to be measured in the family physician office.

Capacities of atrial fibrillation detection after stroke: a French nationwide survey

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a major contributor to recurrent but preventable ischemic Stroke (IS)/TIA. However, majority of stroke patients suffer from paroxysmal asymptomatic AFib, which implies stroke health system to implement accurate AFib detection strategies to large scale population. Current practices of AFib screening methods provided by Stroke Units (SU) organization and network in France are currently unknown and uncovered by dedicated guidelines.

Purpose

To assess the methodology of Afib screening in French SU.

Methods

A French Nationwide survey was led (September-November 2020) with on-line structured questionnaires sent to individual targeted stroke-physicians (SP) and heads of SU in France.We analyzed qualitative and quantitative availability and current use of AFib detection tools during acute inhospital and outpatient subacute and chronic post-IS phases.

Results

67% of 140 heads of SU and 33% of SP responded across all continental and overseas French regions.Main clinical characteristics that lead to search Afib are: TIA/IS recurrence under antiplatelet therapy (97%), patient's age (74%), proximal occlusion of a major cerebral artery (72%). Afib is highly suspected when there is: recent brain IS in multiple vascular territories (100%), previous IS in another vascular territory (98%), left atrial enlargement (96%), burst of supraventricular tachycardia &lt;30s (94%). In-hospital cardiac monitoring is considered to be mandatory by 90% of SU teams but only 1/3 of those possess telemetry out of intensive care unit. Outpatient cardiac monitoring is considered of major interest/necessary by 100% of SP. When first line 24-hour Holter monitor is normal and Afib is highly suspected, 75% of the SP required outpatient noninvasive monitoring (NIM) for at least 7 days and more than half required insertable cardiac monitor (ISC). ISC are implanted each year by SU for &lt;10 patients in 44% and &lt;50 patients in 94%. The delay IS-ICM implantation is &lt;1 month in 10%, 1–3 months in 52%, 3–6 months in 29% and &gt;6 months in 9%. Accessibility to outpatient monitoring modalities is graded: fairly easy for 24/48h-Holter (85%) and ISC (68%); rather difficult/impossible for 3–7 days NIM (51%), 8–21 days NIM (75%) or e-ECG tools (99%). Main obstacles to monitoring abilities development in SU were lack of: manpower (80%), efficient network with cardiologists (56%), familiarity of techniques (42%); and technical equipment cost (44%). 96.5% of SU teams deem necessary practice decision support flowchart with cardiologist partnership but 19% use for it.

Conclusion

The survey raises concern about lack of a systematic strategy and shortcomings for Afib detection capacities. These results are a call to establish practice-guidelines and to promote an improvement plan for AFib detection (selection of the patients, tools and prioritization of the exams) after TIA/IS in France which will require a strong collaboration between neurologists and cardiologists.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): BMS-Pfizer

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta: 2 familial cases and a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited connective tissue disorder that causes bone fragility. Vascular complications have been described, but only few cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysm have been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We first described 2 familial cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysm and then conducted a systematic review of the literature.

RESULTS

A mother and her daughter with a typical history of osteogenesis imperfecta presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was related to a posterior communicating artery aneurysm in both cases. The mother had early rebleeding and died. The aneurysm was excluded by coiling in the daughter. Despite occurrence of hydrocephalus and delayed cerebral ischemia, she had an excellent functional outcome. A systematic review of the literature identified seven additional cases. None of the cases were in fact familial. All patients had a previous medical history of multiple fractures. Seven aneurysms were resolved, three by surgical clipping and four by endovascular procedure. No periprocedural complication was reported. One patient died prematurely and 6 experienced good functional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first familial cases of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in osteogenesis imperfecta patients. Intracranial aneurysms are probably linked to a collagen pathology, which is at the origin of osteogenesis imperfecta. In cases of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in an osteogenesis imperfecta family, intracranial aneurysm screenings in the relatives showing osteogenesis imperfecta should be considered.

[Proper use of apixaban: an outline for clinical practice]

Apixaban is a direct inhibitor of coagulation factor Xa. Superior efficacy over aspirin and antivitamin K has been shown in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism during non-valvular atrial fibrillation with a more favorable safety profile, even though the risk of hemorrhage cannot be ignored, considering its mechanism of action. The recommended dose is 5mg twice daily which can be reduced to 2.5mg depending on the individual risk. Apixaban is also indicated for the treatment of venous thromboembolism but reimbursement has not yet been accepted in France for this indication. As with all direct oral anticoagulants, no routine biological monitoring is required, nevertheless their use may have an impact on all coagulation tests, eventually hampering interpretation. In particular clinical circumstances where a measure of anticoagulant efficacy is deemed necessary, specific assay of anti-Xa activity is appropriate, the result being expressed as concentration of the anticoagulant used. It is therefore necessary to state the name of the medicine for which the assay is requested. With these new anticoagulants, management of hemorrhagic events can be more difficult due to the lack of a specific antidote. Pro-hemostatic substances have exhibited efficacy in animal models but results are still insufficiently documented in clinical practice. Local or locoregional hemostasis measurements, when possible, are an essential factor in the treatment of hemorrhagic events.

Is it possible to recognize cervical artery dissection on stroke brain MR imaging? A matched case-control study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Extracranial CAD accounts for nearly 20% of cases of stroke in young adults. The mural hematoma frequently extends cranially to the petrous carotid segment in cCAD or is distally located in vCAD. We hypothesized that standard brain MR imaging could allow the early detection of CAD of the upper portion of carotid and vertebral arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our prospectively maintained stroke data base was retrospectively queried to identify all patients with the final diagnosis of CAD. In the 103 consecutive patients studied, analysis of cervical fat-suppressed T1-weighted sequences demonstrated that the mural hematoma was located in the FOV of brain MR imaging in 77 patients. Subsequent to enrollment of a patient, a control patient was extracted from the same data base, within a similar categories for sex, age, NIHSS score, and stroke on DWI. Two blinded observers independently reviewed the 5 brain MR sequences of each examination and determined whether a CAD was present.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine of the 77 patients with CAD (76.6%) and 73 of the 77 patients without CAD (94.8%) were correctly classified. Brain MR imaging demonstrated cCAD more frequently than vCAD in 54/58 (93.1%) and 5/19 (26.3%) patients, respectively, (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Initial brain MR imaging can correctly suggest CAD in more than two-thirds of patients. This may have practical implications in patients with stroke with delayed cervical MRA or in those who are not initially suspected of having CAD.

CADISP-Genetics: An International Project Searching for Genetic Risk Factors of Cervical Artery Dissections

Background

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a frequent cause of ischemic stroke, and occasionally death, in young adults. Several lines of evidence suggest a genetic predisposition to CAD. However, previous genetic studies have been inconclusive mainly due to insufficient numbers of patients. Our hypothesis is that CAD is a multifactorial disease caused by yet largely unidentified genetic variants and environmental factors, which may interact. Our aim is to identify genetic variants associated with an increased risk of CAD and possibly gene-environment interactions.

Methods

We organized a multinational European network, Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients (CADISP), which aims at increasing our knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease in a large group of patients. Within this network, we are aiming to perform a de novo genetic association analysis using both a genome-wide and a candidate gene approach. For this purpose, DNA from approximately 1100 patients with CAD, and 2000 healthy controls is being collected. In addition, detailed clinical, laboratory, diagnostic, therapeutic, and outcome data are being collected from all participants applying predefined criteria and definitions in a standardized way. We are expecting to reach the above numbers of subjects by early 2009. Conclusions We present the strategy of a collaborative project searching for the genetic risk factors of CAD. The CADISP network will provide detailed and novel data on environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility to CAD.

Accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique et tenseur de diffusion

PURPOSE

Diffusion-weighted imaging (3 directions) and diffusion tensor imaging (9 directions) were compared for their sensitivity to detect ischemic lesion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

41 patients (18 supposed transient ischemic attacks, 23 arterial stroke, MRI<or=48h) presenting with stroke syndrome were imaged using two diffusion sequences (3 directions, 2 excitations, acquisition time: 40 seconds and 9 directions, 1 excitation, acquisition time: 50 seconds, other parameters being identical). The following variables were compared (Wilcoxon test): number and extent of lesions, MRI signal and absolute ADC values, relative signal intensity and ADC ratio. Fractional anisotropy was measured within the principal lesion on the 9 directions sequence.

RESULTS

24 patients presented a lesion on both sequences. Four of them (including one TIA) had more lesions (<5 mm) on the 9 directions sequence than on the 3 directions sequence. Both sequences were normal for the 17 remaining patients (TIA=4, differential diagnosis=7, indeterminate=6). No significant difference was found for the other study parameters between 3 vs 9 directions sequences. There was a 10% decrease of the mean fractional anisotropy in ischemic lesion.

CONCLUSION

By showing more lesions than standard diffusion-weighted imaging and providing quantitative anisotropy measurements, diffusion tensor imaging could replace the standard 3 directions diffusion-weighted sequence.

[Diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections--results of the SFNV-SFNR study]

INTRODUCTION

the objective of this study was to determine the role of radiological techniques in the diagnosis, assessment of severity and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

from 1995 to 2001 a multicentre retrospective study was conducted in 24 hospital centers. A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to each center in order to collect clinical information and imaging details regarding the diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections.

RESULTS

information was gathered on 459 patients, comprising a total of 384 carotid artery dissections and 170 vertebral artery dissections. A mean of 4.85 diagnostic examinations per patient were conducted. Morphological imaging of the brain by CT or by MRI was performed on all except 3 patients. Cervical Doppler ultrasound examination was the most frequently performed test throughout the entire study period (performed in 87% of patients). Conventional arteriography was a routinely employed test in 1995 whereas by 2001 it comprised only 31.2% of requested examinations, having been progressively replaced by MRI and MRA scanning, which comprised 60% of all examinations performed by 2001. A combination of cervical Doppler ultrasonography, axial MRI and MRA of the neck vessels were performed in 39.6% of patients in 2001. Examination of the intracranial vessels was performed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 40% of cases and by MRA in 30% of cases. For the follow-up of arterial dissections, an average of 1.4 examinations was performed per patient. The majority of such follow-up examinations comprised Doppler ultrasound and/or MRA of the neck arteries.

CONCLUSION

The imaging diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections will increasingly rely on non-invasive imaging techniques.

MRI in a case of neurotrichinosis

Neurological complications are rare in trichinosis. We report a case with marked hypereosinophilia in which MRI showed multiple small subacute cortical infarcts with Gd-DTPA enhancement.