scholarly journals Extended Imaging Protocols to Elucidate Sources of Cardiovascular Embolism in the Work-up of Ischemic Stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-900
Author(s):  
Benedikt Bernhard ◽  
Gabor Erdoes ◽  
Piotr Radojewski ◽  
Simon Jung ◽  
Gerhard Schroth ◽  
...  
Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangming Zhu ◽  
Patrik Michel ◽  
Amin Aghaebrahim ◽  
James T Patrie ◽  
Wenjun Xin ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To determine whether Perfusion-CT (PCT) adds value to Noncontrast head CT (NCT), CT-Angiogram (CTA) and clinical assessment in patients suspected of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging data collected in 165 patients with acute ischemic stroke. ASPECTS score was calculated from NCT. CTA was reviewed for site of occlusion and collateral flow score. PCT was used to calculate the volumes of infarct core and ischemic penumbra on admission. Recanalization status was assessed on follow-up imaging. Clinical data included age, time from onset to baseline imaging, time from baseline imaging to reperfusion therapy, time from baseline imaging to recanalization imaging, NIHSS at baseline, treatment type and modified Rankin score (mRS) at 90 days. In a first multivariate regression analysis, we used volume of PCT penumbra and infarct core as outcome, and assessed whether they could be predicted from clinical variables, NCT and/or CTA. In a second multivariate regression analysis, we used mRS at 90 days as outcome, and determined which imaging and clinical variables predicted it best. RESULTS: 165 patients were identified. Mean±SD time from onset to baseline imaging was 6.7±8.7 hrs. 76 had a good outcome (90-day mRS 0-2), 89 had a poor outcome. Mean±SD PCT infarct was 44.8±46.5 ml. Mean±SD PCT penumbra was 47.0±33.9 ml. PCT infarct could be predicted by clinical data, NCT, CTA, and combinations of this data (P<0.05); the best predictive model included the clinical data, plus NCT and CTA. PCT Penumbra could NOT be predicted by clinical data, NCT, and CTA. In terms of predicting mRS at 90 days, all of variables but NCT and CTA were significantly associated with 90-day mRS outcome. The single most important predictor was recanalization status (P<0.001). PCT penumbra volume (P=0.001) was also a predictor of clinical outcome, especially when considered in conjunction with recanalization through an interaction term (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: PCT penumbra represents independent information, which cannot be predicted by clinical, NCT, and CTA data. PCT penumbra is an important determinant of clinical outcome, and adds relevant clinical information compared to a stroke CT work-up including NCT and CTA.


Author(s):  
Marta Olive‐Gadea ◽  
Manuel Requena ◽  
Facundo Diaz ◽  
Alvaro Garcia‐Tornel ◽  
Marta Rubiera ◽  
...  

Introduction : In acute ischemic stroke patients, current guidelines recommend noninvasive vascular imaging to identify intracranial vessel occlusions (VO) that may benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT). However, VO can be missed in CT angiography (CTA) readings. We aim to evaluate the impact of consistently including CT perfusion (CTP) in admission stroke imaging protocols on VO diagnosis and EVT rates. Methods : We included patients with a suspected acute ischemic stroke that underwent urgent non‐contrast CT, CTA and CTP from April to October 2020. Hypoperfusion areas defined by Tmax>6s delay (RAPID software), congruent with the clinical symptoms and a vascular territory, were considered due to a VO (CTP‐VO). Cases in which mechanical thrombectomy was performed were defined as therapeutically relevant VO (EVT‐VO). For patients that received EVT, site of VO according to digital subtraction angiography was recorded. Two experienced neuroradiologists blinded to CTP but not to clinical symptoms, retrospectively evaluated NCCT and CTA to identify intracranial VO (CTA‐VO). We analyzed CTA‐VO sensitivity and specificity at detecting CTP‐VO and EVT‐VO respecitvely. We performed a logistic regression to test the association of Tmax>6s volumes with CTA‐VO identification and indication of EVT. Results : Of the 338 patients included in the analysis, 157 (46.5%) presented a CTP‐VO, (median Tmax>6s: 73 [29‐127] ml). CTA‐VO was identified in 83 (24.5%) of the cases. Overall CTA‐VO sensitivity for the detection of CTP‐VO was 50.3% and specificity was 97.8%. Higher hypoperfusion volume was associated with an increased CTA‐VO detection, with an odds ratio of 1.03 (95% confidence interval 1.02‐1.04) (figure). DSA was indicated in 107 patients; in 4 of them no EVT was attempted due to recanalization or a too distal VO in the first angiographic run. EVT was performed in 103 patients (30.5%. Tmax>6s: 102 [63‐160] ml), representing 65.6% of all CTP‐VO. Overall CTA‐VO sensitivity for the detection of EVT‐VO was 69.9%. The CTA‐VO sensitivity for detecting patients with indication of EVT according to clinical guidelines was as follows: 91.7% for ICA occlusions and 84.4% for M1‐MCA occlusions. For all other occlusion sites that received EVT, the CTA‐VO sensitivity was 36.1%. The overall specificity was 95.3%. Among patients who received EVT, CTA‐VO was not detected in 31 cases, resulting in a false negative rate of 30.1%. False negative CTA‐VO cases had lower Tmax>6s volumes (69[46‐99.5] vs 126[84‐169.5]ml, p<0.001) and lower NIHSS (13[8.5‐16] vs 17[14‐21], p<0.001). Conclusions : Systematically including CTP perfusion in the acute stroke admission imaging protocols may increase the diagnosis of VO and rate of EVT.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna D Schaafsma ◽  
David J Mikulis ◽  
Jonathan Coutinho ◽  
Cheryl S Jaigobin ◽  
Daniel M Mandell

Objective: High-resolution MR-imaging of the intracranial arterial wall is a promising technique for diagnosis of intracranial arteriopathies in patients with ischemic stroke. We aimed to evaluate the additional value of vessel wall imaging (VWI) to the standard work-up of ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We selected all patients with ischemic stroke who had intracranial VWI at our institute to evaluate possible intracranial arteriopathy, such as atherosclerosis, dissection, vasculitis, or reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Two observers, who were blinded to the VWI, first determined the most likely stroke etiology based on the standard work-up (clinical history, brain parenchyma imaging, vessel lumen imaging, laboratory results, and cardiac work-up). Then VWI was reviewed to assess whether this would change the suspected stroke etiology or whether the differential diagnosis could be narrowed down. Results: Between 2006 and 2014, 199 patients with ischemic stroke, mean age 55 (IQ-range: 44-67) had VWI. VWI provided additional information to the standard stroke work-up in 128 patients (64%). In 38/199 patients (19%) the conclusion on stroke etiology was altered based on VWI and in 90/199 patients (45%) the differential diagnosis was further narrowed after VWI. VWI did not have additional value when the most likely stroke etiology based on the standard work-up remained the same (50/199 patients; 25%), when the differential diagnosis could not be narrowed down (16/199; 8%), or in case of poor image quality (5/199 patients; 3%). Patients under the age of 46 benefited more often from VWI than older adults (Odds Ratio 3.5; 95%CI: 1.7-7.6). Conclusion: VWI provided additional information to the conventional stroke work-up in almost two-thirds of patients suspected to have intracranial arteriopathy. Next step is to determine how frequently this additional information resulted in altered therapy.


2009 ◽  
Vol 285 ◽  
pp. S80
Author(s):  
F.Y. Kong ◽  
W.D. Tao ◽  
Z.L. Hao ◽  
M. Liu

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Majda Handanović ◽  
Fuad Julardžija ◽  
Adnan Šehić ◽  
Amela Sofić ◽  
Merim Jusufbegović ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stroke is the second leading underlying cause of death globally and the leading cause of disability in adults. Stroke diagnosis should be performed quickly and efficiently to eliminate other potential causes of neurological deficits and to assess the time since the onset of clinical symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential methods of detecting and evaluating stroke type and treatmentoptions. Diffusion and perfusion MR imaging is recommended for early stroke diagnosis, as well as for the selection of patients for recanalization therapy, and is considered effective in assessing treatment outcomes. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the diagnostic value of diffusion and perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, analyze the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the selection of patients with acute stroke for recanalization therapy, and assess the effect of acute stroke complicity.Material and methods: The research is designed as a systematic review of the primary scientific research literature, which was published in English in relevant scientific databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline) from 2014 to 2021.Results: 14 scientific research papers were singled out and the general characteristics of the study were analyzed (country, authors, year of publication, title of the study, type of study, study objectives, research methods, results and conclusion). A quality assessment of the included studies with cohort design and randomized controlled studies was performed, and most belong to the category of high-quality studies with a smaller number of medium-quality studies. The overall percentage of detected AIS cases in isolated studies using the DWI and/or PWI sequence was 90.8%. At the same time, the outcome of recanalization therapy was assessed using MRI studies (the number of patients who developed adverse events with functional data outcome 30 or 90 days after the procedure was observed). Comparison of MRI and CT imaging protocols provided data on the total percentage of detected acute stroke cases using CT imaging protocols (68.9%) and MRI imaging protocols (88.5%), which is why MRI is considered a superior method.Conclusion: Although CT is a suitable method for visualizing bleeding and also for early differentiation of hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke, if MRI imaging is available, it is recommended to use DWI, PWI, MRA sequences for a more accurate diagnosis of stroke in the acute phase.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-131
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Ohara ◽  
Mehdi Farhoudi ◽  
Oh Young Bang ◽  
Masatoshi Koga ◽  
Andrew M Demchuk

Background Elevated D-dimer levels are a marker of both thrombin formation and fibrinolysis. Currently D-dimer measurement is routinely used for ruling out venous thromboembolism and diagnosis/monitoring of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Recent emerging data suggest that D-dimer may become an important biomarker in ischemic stroke as well as in cardiovascular diseases. Aims To outline the clinical utility of D-dimer in work-up and management of ischemic stroke. Summary D-dimer measurement is most useful in stroke with active cancer as it can confirm etiologic diagnosis, predict recurrent stroke risk, and aid treatment decision in cancer-associated stroke. In cryptogenic stroke, high D-dimer levels can also provide clues for the cause of stroke as occult cancer and undetected cardiac embolic source as occult atrial fibrillation and may be helpful in treatment decision making of secondary stroke prevention. Serial D-dimer measurements should be further studied to monitor antithrombotic therapy effectiveness in both cardiogenic and cryptogenic etiologies. Conclusion Accumulating data suggests the utility of D-dimer test in the management of ischemic stroke, although the evidence is still limited. Future studies would clarify the role of D-dimer measurement in ischemic stroke.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Amit Sreen ◽  
Prafull Sharma ◽  
Vivek Guleria ◽  
Niket Verma

Background: Stroke in young poses a major health problem. Various Indian studies have shown the incidence of stroke to be 10-15%. Cerebral venous thrombosis and rheumatic heart disease are the leading causes of stroke in the young in India. Thrombophilic factors have been implicated in 4-8% of the young strokes worldwide. Protein C deficiency is the most common thrombophilia marker followed by a deficiency of protein S, Factor V Leiden mutation, and antithrombin (AT) deficiency. Aims and objectives was the study of stroke in young is important for various reasons. The etiology and risk factors are more diverse and different as compared to the elderly. Therefore, these may indicate separate therapeutic approaches. The aim is to study the profile of ischemic stroke cases among the young.Methods: The study was carried out at a tertiary care defence hospital between December 2018 to December 2019. All cases of fresh ischemic stroke who were more than 15 and less than 45 years of age were included. Following clinical evaluation, patients underwent complete haemogram, blood sugar levels, lipid profile and other metabolic parameters. All patients were subjected to chest radiography, 12 lead ECG, and 2D echocardiography, Non-contrast CT head and MRI brain. Prothrombotic work up was also done.Results: A total of 41 patients (12.69%) presented with ischemic stroke before 45 years of age. Out of these 10 (24%) were females and 31 (76%) were male. None of the women smoked or consumed alcohol. Among the males, 19 (47%) smoked more than 10 cigarettes or bidis per day and 9 (22%) were moderate-to-heavy drinkers of alcohol. Hypertension was present in 7 (18%) and diabetes mellitus in 3 (7%) patients. Serum cholesterol was elevated in 7 (18%) patients and triglycerides in 17 (42%). Protein S deficiency was found in 28.8% patients, while protein C deficiency was detected in 21% patients and antithrombin III deficiency in 12% patients.Conclusions: Although traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, are associated with stroke in both elderly and young, this study shows that other modifiable risk factors such as alcohol consumption were also prevalent. The most common etiological cause was found to be venous infarction followed by cardio embolic cause. Deficiency of Protein S was the most common prothrombotic defect followed by deficiency of Protein C.


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