Serum levels of YKL-40 in acute arterial ischemic stroke patients, and its relationship to infarct volume

Introduction: Revascularization is a robust therapy for acute ischemic stroke, but animal studies suggest that reperfusion edema may attenuate its beneficial effects. In stroke patients, early reperfusion consistently reduces infarct volume and improves long-term functional outcome, but there is little clinical data available regarding reperfusion edema. We sought to elucidate the relationship between reperfusion and brain edema in a patient cohort of moderate to severe stroke. Methods: Seventy-one patients enrolled in the Echoplanar Imaging Thrombolysis Evaluation Trial (EPITHET) with serial brain magnetic resonance imaging and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) were analyzed. Reperfusion percentage was calculated based on the difference in PWI lesion volume at baseline and follow-up (day 3-5). Midline shift (MLS) was measured on the day 3-5 fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence. Swelling volume and infarct growth volume were assessed using region-of-interest analysis on the baseline and follow-up DWI scans based on our prior methods. Results: Greater percentage of reperfusion was associated with less MLS (Spearman ρ = -0.46; P <0.0001) and reduced swelling volume (Spearman ρ = -0.56; P <0.0001). In multivariate analysis, reperfusion was an independent predictor of less MLS ( P <0.006) and decreased swelling volume ( P <0.0054), after adjusting for age, baseline NIHSS, admission blood glucose, baseline DWI volume, and IV tPA treatment. Conclusions: Reperfusion is associated with reduced brain edema as measured by MLS and swelling volume. While our data do not exclude the possibility of reperfusion edema in certain circumstances, in stroke patients, reperfusion following acute stroke is predominantly linked to less brain swelling.

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Diffusion imaging of cerebral diaschisis in childhood arterial ischemic stroke

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493016666089 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1028-1035 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Adam Kirton ◽

Elizabeth Williams ◽

Michael Dowling ◽

Sarah Mah ◽

Jacquie Hodge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Diffusion Weighted Imaging ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Arterial Ischemic Stroke ◽

Diffusion Weighted ◽

Motor Outcome

Background Diffusion-weighted imaging magnetic resonance imaging may detect changes in brain structures remote but connected to stroke consistent with neuropathological descriptions of diaschisis. Early diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrates restriction in corticospinal pathways after arterial ischemic stroke of all ages that correlates with motor outcome. Aim/hypothesis We hypothesized that cerebral diaschisis is measurable in childhood arterial ischemic stroke and explored associations with outcome. Methods This sub-study of the validation of the Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale study prospectively enrolled children with acute arterial ischemic stroke and both acute and early follow-up (5–14 days) diffusion-weighted imaging. Inclusion criteria were (1) unilateral middle cerebral artery arterial ischemic stroke, (2) acute and subacute diffusion-weighted imaging ( b = 1000), and (3) 12 month neurological follow-up (Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure). A validated method using ImageJ software quantified diffusion-weighted imaging diaschisis in anatomically connected structures. Diaschisis measures were corrected for infarct volume, compared to age, imaging timing, and outcomes (Chi square/Fisher, Mann–Whitney test). Results Nineteen children (53% male, median 8.1 years) had magnetic resonance imaging at medians of 21 and 168 h post-stroke onset. Diaschisis was common and evolved over time, observed in one (5%) on acute but eight (42%) by follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging. Thalamic and callosal diaschisis were most common (5, 26%). Estimates of perilesional diaschisis varied (54 ± 18% of infarct volume). Children with diaschisis tended to be younger (7.02 ± 5.4 vs. 11.82 ± 4.3 years, p = 0.08). Total diaschisis score was associated with poor cognitive outcomes ( p = 0.03). Corticospinal tract diaschisis was associated with motor outcome ( p = 0.004). Method reliability was excellent. Conclusions Diffusion-weighted imaging diaschisis occurs in childhood arterial ischemic stroke. Mistaking diaschisis for new areas of infarction carries important clinical implications. Improved recognition and study are required to establish clinical relevance.

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Abstract P12: Alteplase Reduces Mortality in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation: Analysis of the IAC Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shadi Yaghi ◽

Eva Mistry ◽

Adam H De Havenon ◽

Christopher Leon Guerrero ◽

Amre Nouh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

The United States ◽

Hemorrhagic Transformation ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference

Background and Purpose: Multiple studies have established that intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase improves outcome after acute ischemic stroke. However, assessment of thrombolysis’ efficacy in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has yielded mixed results. We sought to determine the association of alteplase with mortality, hemorrhagic transformation (HT), infarct volume, and mortality in patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with AF included in the Initiation of Anticoagulation after Cardioembolic stroke (IAC) study, which pooled data from 8 comprehensive stroke centers in the United States. 1889 (90.6%) had available 90-day follow up data and were included. For our primary analysis we used a cohort of 1367/1889 (72.4%) patients who did not undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Secondary analyses were repeated in the patients that underwent MT (n=522). Binary logistic regression was used to determine whether alteplase use was independently associated with risk of HT, final infarct volume, and 90-day mortality, respectively, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: In our primary analyses we found that alteplase use was independently associated with an increased risk for HT (adjusted OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.49 - 3.07, p <0.001) but overall reduced risk of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39 - 0.87, p = 0.009). Among patients undergoing MT, alteplase use was associated with a trend towards a reduction in 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.68 95% CI 0.45 - 1.04, p = 0.077). In the subgroup of patients prescribed DOAC treatment (n = 327; 24 received alteplase), alteplase treatment was associated with a trend towards smaller infarct size (< 10 mL), (adjusted OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15 - 1.12, p = 0.082) without a significant difference in the odds of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.12 - 2.13, p = 0.357) or hemorrhagic transformation (adjusted OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.03 - 2.07, p = 0.206). Conclusion: Thrombolysis with intravenous alteplase was associated with reduced 90-day mortality in AF patients with acute ischemic stroke not undergoing MT. Further study is required to assess the safety and efficacy of alteplase in AF patients undergoing MT and those on DOACs.

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Abstract TP315: D-dimer is Associated With 30-day Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Active Cancer

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tp315 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ki Woong Nam ◽

Chi Kyung Kim ◽

Tae Jung Kim ◽

Sang Joon An ◽

Kyungmi Oh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Hemorrhagic Transformation ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Advanced Stages ◽

D Dimer ◽

Active Cancer

Background: Stroke in cancer patients is not rare, but is a devastating event with high mortality. However, the predictors of mortality in stroke patients with cancer have not been well addressed. D-dimer could be a useful predictor because it can reflect both thromboembolic events and advanced stages of cancer. In this study, we evaluate the possibility of D-dimer as a predictor of 30-day mortality in stroke patients with active cancer. Methods: We included 210 ischemic stroke patients with active cancer. The data of 30-day mortality were collected by reviewing medical records. We also collected follow-up D-dimer levels in 106 (50%) participants to evaluate the effects of treatment response on D-dimer levels. Results: Of the 210 participants, 30-day mortality occurred in 28 (13%) patients. Higher initial NIHSS score, D-dimer levels, CRP levels, frequent cryptogenic mechanism, systemic metastasis, multiple vascular territory lesion, hemorrhagic transformation, and larger infarct volume were related to 30-day mortality. In the multivariate analysis, D-dimer [adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.46-3.28, P < 0.001] predicted 30-day mortality after adjusting for confounders. Initial NIHSS score (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00-1.14, P = 0.043) and hemorrhagic transformation (aOR = 3.02; 95% CI, 1.10-8.29, P = 0.032) were also significant independently from D-dimer levels. In the analysis of D-dimer changes after treatment, the mortality group showed no significant decrease of D-dimer levels, despite treatment, while the survivor group showed opposite responses. Conclusions: D-dimer levels may predict 30-day mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients with active cancer.

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Nitroglycerin Is Not Associated with Improved Cerebral Perfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/cjn.2020.179 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Mahesh Kate ◽

Laura Gioia ◽

Negar Asdaghi ◽

Thomas Jeerakathil ◽

Ashfaq Shuaib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cerebral Perfusion ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Untreated Group ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

The Mean

ABSTRACT: Objective: The study was conducted to test the hypothesis that nitroglycerin (NTG) increases cerebral perfusion focally and globally in acute ischemic stroke patients, using serial perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging measurements. Patients and methods: Thirty-five patients underwent PWI immediately before and 72 h after administration of a transdermal NTG patch or no treatment. Patients with baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 100 mmHg (NTG group, n = 20) were treated with transdermal NTG (0.2 mg/h) for 72 h, without a nitrate-free interval. Patients with MAP ≤ 100 mmHg (untreated group, n = 15) were not treated. The primary outcome measure was absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the hypoperfused region at 72 h. Results: The mean baseline absolute CBF in the hypoperfused region was similar in the NTG group (33.3 ± 10.2 ml/100 g/min) and untreated (32.7 ± 8.4 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.4) groups. The median (IQR) baseline infarct volume was 10.4 (2.5–49.3) ml in the NTG group and 32.6 (8.6–96.7) ml in the untreated group (p = 0.09). MAP change in the NTG group was 1.2 ± 12.6 and 8 ± 20.7 mmHg at 2 h and 72 h, respectively. Mean absolute CBF in the hypoperfused region at 72 h was similar in the NTG (29.9 ± 12 ml/100 g/min) and untreated groups (24.1 ± 10 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.8). The median infarct volume increased in untreated (11.8 (5.7–44.2) ml) than the NTG group (3.2 (0.5–16.5) ml; p = 0.033) on univariate analysis, however, there was no difference on regression analysis. Conclusion: NTG was not associated with improvement in cerebral perfusion in acute ischemic stroke patients.

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Clinical Presentation and Multi-Parametric Screening Surrogates of Ischemic Stroke Patients Suffering from Infective Endocarditis

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000442005 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (1-2) ◽

pp. 60-67

Author(s):

Carsten Hobohm ◽

Andreas Hagendorff ◽

Sandra Schulz ◽

Dominik Fritzsch ◽

Sarah Budig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infective Endocarditis ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Early Phase ◽

Leukocyte Count ◽

Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Systemic Thrombolysis ◽

Threatening Condition

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) represents a life-threatening condition due to complications like cardiac failure and thromboembolism. In ischemic stroke, IE formally excludes patients from approaches addressing the recanalization of occluded vessels, challenging decision-making in the early phase of hospitalization. This study aimed at the rate and clinical course of stroke patients with IE and explored clinical, imaging-based and serum parameters, which would allow early identification. Methods: A hospital-based registry containing 1,531 ischemic stroke patients was screened for IE identified by echocardiography. In addition to clinical parameters, patterns of cerebral manifestation as well as a variety of inflammatory serum and myocardial markers were analyzed concerning their predictive impact for identifying affected patients. Results: IE was found in 26 patients (1.7%) and was associated with an increased body temperature and cardiac murmurs. Patients suffering from IE demonstrated a more severe clinical affection at hospital discharge and an impaired symptom decline during hospitalization, further deteriorated by the use of systemic thrombolysis. Distribution of cerebral infarction patterns did not differ between the groups. C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count as well as troponin and myoglobin, taken at hospital admission, were found to be significantly associated with IE. Conclusions: IE in stroke patients is associated with worse clinical outcome, complicated by intravenously applied thrombolysis, and therefore needs to be screened during the early phase of hospitalization. Increased serum levels of CRP and leukocyte count in combination with an increased body temperature or abnormal cardiac murmurs should entail rapid initiation of further diagnostics, that is, transoesophageal echocardiography.

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DWI Lesion Patterns Predict Outcome in Stroke Patients with Thrombolysis

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000441153 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (5-6) ◽

pp. 279-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dezhi Liu ◽

Fabien Scalzo ◽

Sidney Starkman ◽

Neal M. Rao ◽

Jason D. Hinman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Border Zone ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Mri Scan

Background: Lesion patterns may predict prognosis after acute ischemic stroke within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory; yet it remains unclear whether such imaging prognostic factors are related to patient outcome after intravenous thrombolysis. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical outcome after intravenous thrombolysis in acute MCA ischemic strokes with respect to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion patterns. Methods: Consecutive acute ischemic stroke cases of the MCA territory treated over a 7-year period were retrospectively analyzed. All acute MCA stroke patients underwent a MRI scan before intravenous thrombolytic therapy was included. DWI lesions were divided into 6 patterns (territorial, other cortical, small superficial, internal border zone, small deep, and other deep infarcts). Lesion volumes were measured by dedicated imaging processing software. Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-2 at 90 days. Results: Among the 172 patients included in our study, 75 (43.6%) were observed to have territorial infarct patterns or other deep infarct patterns. These patients also had higher baseline NIHSS score (p < 0.001), a higher proportion of large cerebral artery occlusions (p < 0.001) and larger infarct volume (p < 0.001). Favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) was achieved in 89 patients (51.7%). After multivariable analysis, groups with specific lesion patterns, including territorial infarct and other deep infarct pattern, were independently associated with favorable outcome (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.16-0.99; p = 0.047). Conclusions: Specific lesion patterns predict differential outcome after intravenous thrombolysis therapy in acute MCA stroke patients.

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