scholarly journals Quantitative Morphology of Cerebral Thrombi Related to Intravital Contraction and Clinical Features of Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 3640-3650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael R. Khismatullin ◽  
Chandrasekaran Nagaswami ◽  
Asia Z. Shakirova ◽  
Adéla Vrtková ◽  
Václav Procházka ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The purpose was to assess quantitatively and qualitatively the composition and structure of cerebral thrombi and correlate them with the signs of intravital clot contraction (retraction), as well as with etiology, severity, duration, and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We quantified high-resolution scanning electron micrographs of 41 cerebral thrombi for their detailed cellular and noncellular composition and analyzed histological images for the overall structure with the emphasis on red blood cell compression, fibrin age, and the signs of inflammation. Results: Cerebral thrombi were quite compact and had extremely low porosity. The prevailing cell type was polyhedral compressed erythrocytes (polyhedrocytes) in the core, and fibrin-platelet aggregates were concentrated at the periphery; both findings are indicative of intravital contraction of the thrombi. The content of polyhedrocytes directly correlated with the stroke severity. The prevalence of fibrin bundles was typical for more severe cases, while the content of fibrin sponge prevailed in cases with a more favorable course. The overall platelet content in cerebral thrombi was surprisingly small, while the higher content of platelet aggregates was a marker of stroke severity. Fibrillar types of fibrin prevailed in atherothrombogenic thrombi. Older fibrin prevailed in thrombi from the patients who received thrombolytics, and younger fibrin dominated in cardioembolic thrombi. Alternating layers of erythrocytes and fibrin mixed with platelets were common for thrombi from the patients with more favorable outcomes. Thrombi with a higher number of leukocytes were associated with fatal cases. Conclusions: Most cerebral thrombi undergo intravital clot contraction (retraction) that may be of underestimated clinical importance. Despite the high variability of the composition and structure of cerebral thrombi, the content of certain types of blood cells and fibrin structures combined with the morphological signs of intravital contraction correlate with the clinical course and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke.

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 1182-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie E. Andrews ◽  
Nikolaos Mouchtouris ◽  
Evan M. Fitchett ◽  
Fadi Al Saiegh ◽  
Michael J. Lang ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is now the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to large-vessel occlusion, but there remains a question of whether elderly patients benefit from this procedure to the same degree as the younger populations enrolled in the seminal trials on MT. The authors compared outcomes after MT of patients 80–89 and ≥ 90 years old with AIS to those of younger patients.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed records of patients undergoing MT at their institution to examine stroke severity, comorbid conditions, medical management, recanalization results, and clinical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare patients < 80 years, 80–89 years, and ≥ 90 years old.RESULTSAll groups had similar rates of comorbid disease and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration, and stroke severity did not differ significantly between groups. Elderly patients had equivalent recanalization outcomes, with similar rates of readmission, 30-day mortality, and hospital-associated complications. These patients were more likely to have poor clinical outcome on discharge, as defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3–6, but this difference was not significant when controlled for stroke severity, tPA administration, and recanalization results.CONCLUSIONSOctogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians with AIS have similar rates of mortality, hospital readmission, and hospital-associated complications as younger patients after MT. Elderly patients also have the capacity to achieve good functional outcome after MT, but this potential is moderated by stroke severity and success of treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-321
Author(s):  
Jiaying Zhu ◽  
Mengmeng Ma ◽  
Jinghuan Fang ◽  
Jiajia Bao ◽  
Shuju Dong ◽  
...  

Background: Statin therapy has been shown to be effective in the prevention of ischemic stroke. In addition, recent studies have suggested that prior statin therapy could lower the initial stroke severity and improve stroke functional outcomes in the event of stroke. It was speculated that prestroke statin use may enhance collateral circulation and result in favorable functional outcomes. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of prestroke statin use with leptomeningeal collaterals and to determine the association of prestroke statin use with stroke severity and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We prospectively and consecutively enrolled 239 acute ischemic stroke patients with acute infarction due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery within 24 h in the neurology department of West China Hospital from May 2011 to April 2017. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) imaging was performed for all patients to detect middle cerebral artery thrombus; regional leptomeningeal collateral score (rLMCS) was used to assess the degree of collateral circulation; the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to measure stroke severity at admission; the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to measure outcome at 90 days; and premorbid medications were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Overall, 239 patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-four patients used statins, and 185 did not use statins before stroke onset. Prestroke statin use was independently associated with good collateral circulation (rLMCS > 10) (odds ratio [OR], 4.786; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.195–19.171; P = 0.027). Prestroke statin use was not independently associated with lower stroke severity (NIHSS score≤14) (OR, 1.955; 95% CI, 0.657–5.816; p = 0.228), but prestroke statin use was independently associated with favorable outcome (mRS score≤2) (OR, 3.868; 95% CI, 1.325–11.289; P = 0.013). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that prestroke statin use was associated with good leptomeningeal collaterals and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. However, clinical studies should be conducted to verify this claim.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kilian Fröhlich ◽  
Gabriela Siedler ◽  
Svenja Stoll ◽  
Kosmas Macha ◽  
Thomas M. Kinfe ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Endovascular therapy (EVT) of large-vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may be performed in general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation (CS). We intended to determine the contribution of ischemic cerebral lesion sites on the physician’s decision between GA and CS using voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM). Methods In a prospective local database, we sought patients with documented AIS and EVT. Age, stroke severity, lesion volume, vigilance, and aphasia scores were compared between EVT patients with GA and CS. The ischemic lesions were analyzed on CT or MRI scans and transformed into stereotaxic space. We determined the lesion overlap and assessed whether GA or CS is associated with specific cerebral lesion sites using the voxel-wise Liebermeister test. Results One hundred seventy-nine patients with AIS and EVT were included in the analysis. The VLSM analysis yielded associations between GA and ischemic lesions in the left hemispheric middle cerebral artery territory and posterior circulation areas. Stroke severity and lesion volume were significantly higher in the GA group. The prevalence of aphasia and aphasia severity was significantly higher and parameters of vigilance lower in the GA group. Conclusions The VLSM analysis showed associations between GA and ischemic lesions in the left hemispheric middle cerebral artery territory and posterior circulation areas including the thalamus that are known to cause neurologic deficits, such as aphasia or compromised vigilance, in AIS-patients with EVT. Our data suggest that higher disability, clinical impairment due to neurological deficits like aphasia, or reduced alertness of affected patients may influence the physician’s decision on using GA in EVT.


Author(s):  
Yosria Abd Al Hameed AlTaweel ◽  
Rania Sanad Nageeb ◽  
Pakinam Mahmoud Metwally ◽  
Ahmed Elsayed Badawy

Abstract Background Several factors affect acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes. Objective This study aimed to assess the role of the leukocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and c reactive protein (CRP) as early predictors of outcome in AIS patients. Methods This study was conducted on 60 AIS patients. They were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, brain imaging, and laboratory assessment including the CRP, white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and NLR which is calculated by dividing ANC by ALC. Neurological scales were used to assess the level of consciousness by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and stroke severity by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at the first 48 h of stroke onset as well as 1 week and 2 weeks later for the assessment of short-term functional neurological outcome. Results Sixty percent of the patients had unfavorable outcomes assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had higher NIHSS scores. NLR was positively correlated with WBC count, ANC, and CRP. The higher WBC, NLR, and NIHSS, the unfavorable the outcome was. Conclusion The higher WBC, the NLR, and the level of CRP at the onset of AIS, the more severe stroke and the poorer the short-term outcome are expected.


Cureus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad F Khan ◽  
Ibrahim Shamael ◽  
Qamar Zaman ◽  
Asad Mahmood ◽  
Maimoona Siddiqui

2015 ◽  
Vol 243 (1) ◽  
pp. 260-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonino Tuttolomondo ◽  
Alessandra Casuccio ◽  
Carmelo Buttà ◽  
Rosaria Pecoraro ◽  
Domenico Di Raimondo ◽  
...  

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Asaithambi ◽  
Amy L Castle ◽  
Lana J Stein ◽  
Sandra K Hanson ◽  
Jeffrey P Lassig

Background: Recent endovascular stroke studies utilizing primarily stent retrievers have proven clinical benefit among eligible patients. It remains unclear if this benefit is exclusive to stent retrievers. We present the results of a single-center experience for patients undergoing primary aspiration thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: A retrospective analysis of all AIS patients receiving primary aspiration thrombectomy from January 2014 to March 2016 was performed. We assessed stroke severity at admission and discharge as defined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSSS), median onset to puncture and onset to recanalization times, location of target vessel treated, rate of concurrent intravenous (IV) alteplase use, and rate of TICI 2b/3 reperfusion. Outcomes adjudicated included rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), favorable discharge disposition to home, and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2. Results: During the study period, 121 patients (mean age 68.7±16.5 years, 53.7% women) received primary aspiration thrombectomy for 124 occlusions (26% terminal internal carotid artery, 45% M1, 15% M2, 11% basilar artery, 3% other). Median admission NIHSSS was 19 [11, 22] and improved to 6 [1, 15] upon discharge. Median onset to puncture and onset to recanalization times were 258 [148, 371] and 300 [180, 409] minutes, respectively. The rate of TICI 2b/3 reperfusion was 84.7%, and 52% received adjunctive IV alteplase. Rates of favorable discharge to home was 28.9% and 90-day mRS ≤2 was 39.8%. Only one patient developed sICH. Conclusion: Our single-center experience shows that primary aspiration thrombectomy can yield both favorable angiographic and clinical outcomes with minimal adverse effect.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam de Havenon ◽  
Haimei Wang ◽  
Greg Stoddard ◽  
Lee Chung ◽  
Jennifer Majersik

Background: Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) is detrimental in the weeks to months after ischemic stroke, but it has not been adequately studied in the acute phase. We hypothesized that increased BPV in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients would be associated with worse outcome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed inpatients at our hospital between 2010-2014 with an ICD-9 code of AIS; 213 were confirmed to have AIS by a vascular neurologist. A modified Rankin Score (mRS) after discharge was available in 148/213, at a mean of 86 ± 60 days. In 45/213 the discharge mRS was either 0 or 6, in which case they were included in the final analysis. BPV was measured as the standard deviation (SD) of each patient’s systolic blood pressure readings during the first 24 hours and 5 days of hospitalization (9,844 total readings), or until discharge if discharged in <5 days (Figure 1). The SBP SD was further divided in quartiles. A multivariate ordinal logistic regression with the outcome of mRS, the primary predictor of quartiles of SBP SD, and baseline NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) to control for initial stroke severity. Results: Mean±SD age was 64.2 ± 16.3 years, NIHSS was 12.6 ± 7.9, and mRS was 2.7 ± 2.1. The mean SBP SDs for the first 24 hours and 5 days were 12.1 ± 6.2 mm Hg and 14.1 ± 4.9 mm Hg. In the ordinal logistic regression model, the quartiles of SBP SD for the first 24 hours and 5 days were positively associated with higher mRS (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.01 - 1.74, p = 0.009; OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.03 - 1.63, p = 0.028). This effect became even more pronounced in patients with the highest quartile of variability (OR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.29 - 5.88, p = 0.009; OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.01 - 4.36, p = 0.046). Conclusion: In our cohort of 193 patients with AIS, there was a significant association between increased systolic BPV and worse functional outcome, after controlling for initial stroke severity. This data suggests that increased BPV may have a harmful effect for AIS patients, which warrants a prospective observational study.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Korya ◽  
Mohammad Moussavi ◽  
Siddhart Mehta ◽  
Jaskiran Brar ◽  
Harina Chahal ◽  
...  

Introduction: The list of contraindications for IV tPA in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is often too long and may lead to physicians opting to offer no treatment for certain strokes. An alternative treatment is proposed in cases where IV tPA is not an option due to time-window restrictions or contraindications. We compared the stroke severity, outcomes and safety of IV eptifibatide when compared with IV tPA. Methods: Patients who presented to a community based university affiliated comprehensive stroke center from 2012-15 with AIS over a two-year period were included in the study. Those who qualified for IV tPA, and were treated, were compared with patients who only received IV eptifibatide. The initial NIH Stroke Score (NIHSS), 24-hour NIHSS, discharge NIHSS (DCNIHSS), discharge mRS (DCmRS) and symptomatic ICH rates were compared with a paired samples t-test to determine significance of difference between the means. SPSS Version 22 was used for all data analysis. Results: A total of 864 patients presented with AIS in the evaluated time period and of those 166 met study criteria. There were 119 patients who received IV tPA alone (group A) and 47 patients received eptifibatide (group B). The mean initial NIHSS, 24-NIHSS, DCNIHSS, DCmRS and percent bleeding complications for group A were: 11.2, 10.8, 8.6, 3.1 and 6%. For group B the figures were: 6.7, 4.8, 4.3, 1.7 and 0%, respectively. Group A was compared with group B in a paired samples T-test and yielded -4.3, -6.2, -6, -1.5 (p=.0001 to .04) for initial, 24-hour, discharge NIHSS and discharge mRS, respectively. The difference between initial and discharge NIHSS between the two groups was -2.7 (p=.009), favoring IV tPA. Conclusion: In patients who are either outside the time-window or with contraindications to IV tPA, eptifibatide may be a safe alternative and appears to be efficacious. None of the patients who were started on eptifibatide had bleeding complications and they had a statistically significant improvement in their level of disability and stroke severity at discharge. A limitation of this study is that patients in group A had significantly worse initial NIHSS compared with group B. To better evaluate the efficacy of eptifibatide, a larger, prospective study should be initiated.


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