scholarly journals Cervicocephalic Spotty Calcium for the Prediction of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Zheng ◽  
Shaozhen Yan ◽  
Fan Fu ◽  
Cheng Zhao ◽  
Daode Guo ◽  
...  

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of cervicocephalic spotty calcium (SC) and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and to assess the predictive value of SC for coronary atherosclerosis using combined coronary and cervicocephalic CTA.Materials and Methods: Patients with AIS (n = 70) confirmed by brain MRI or CT and patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (n = 58) confirmed by carotid ultrasonography were enrolled in our study. Subjects in both groups underwent combined coronary and cervicocephalic CTA. SC was used to evaluate cervicocephalic atherosclerosis. Coronary artery stenosis (CAS) ≥ 50% by segment and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) were used to evaluate coronary atherosclerosis. The SC frequency and the difference in coronary atherosclerosis between the two groups were compared, and the correlation between SC and coronary atherosclerosis was analyzed. Independent factors for CAS ≥ 50% were assessed via logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the added value of SC for predicting CAS ≥ 50%.Results: Both SC and the CACS were significantly higher in the Stroke group than in the Control group (total SC count: 6.83 ± 4.34 vs. 2.98 ± 2.87, P < 0.05; CACS: 477.04 ± 798.01 vs. 136.31 ± 205.65, P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the presence of CAS ≥ 50% (61.4 vs. 27.6%, P < 0.001). SC and coronary atherosclerosis were significantly correlated for both the CACS and CAS ≥ 50% (r = 0.746 and 0.715, respectively; P < 0.001). SC was an independent predictor for CAS ≥ 50%.Conclusion: SC correlates significantly with the CACS and could serve as an independent predictor of CAS ≥ 50% in patients with AIS, which suggests that combined cerebrovascular and cardiovascular assessments are of importance for such patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwan Lee ◽  
Yifeng Yang ◽  
Baoqiong Liu ◽  
Simon A. Castro ◽  
Tiantian Shi

Background Use of inpatient brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke is highly institution dependent and has been associated with increased length and cost of hospital stay. We examined whether inpatient brain MRI in patients with acute ischemic stroke is associated with improved clinical outcomes to justify its resource requirements. Methods and Results The National Inpatient Sample database was queried retrospectively to find 94 003 patients who were admitted for acute ischemic stroke and then received inpatient brain MRI between 2012 and 2014. Multivariable regression analysis was performed with respect to a control group to assess for differences in the rates of inpatient mortality and complications, as well as the length and cost of hospital stay based on brain MRI use. Inpatient brain MRI was independently associated with lower rates of inpatient mortality (1.67% versus 3.09%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.53–0.68; P <0.001), gastrostomy (2.28% versus 2.89%; adjusted OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.73–0.93; P <0.001), and mechanical ventilation (1.97% versus 2.82%; adjusted OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.60–0.77; P <0.001). Brain MRI was independently associated with ≈0.32 days (8%) and $1131 (11%) increase in the total length ( P <0.001) and cost ( P <0.001) of hospital stay, respectively. Conclusions Inpatient brain MRI in patients with acute ischemic stroke is associated with substantial decrease in the rates of inpatient mortality and complications, at the expense of marginally increased length and cost of hospitalization.


Author(s):  
Marie-Sarah Gagne Brosseau ◽  
Jean-Martin Boulanger ◽  
Nancy Leblanc ◽  
Leo Berger ◽  
Micheal Benzazon

AbstractBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cause of ischemic stroke and is associated with recurrence and with acute multi-vessel territory non lacunar stroke. Many cryptogenic strokes could be secondary to undiagnosed paroxystic AF. As left atrium (LA) dilatation is a risk factor of AF, we sought to determine if moderate or severe LA dilatation was associated with multiple vascular territory infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke without known AF. Normal LA diameter values are ≤4.0 cm for men and ≤3.8 for women. Methods: Patients who presented at our center between 2006 and 2011 with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemick attack (TIA) who had a transthoracic echocardiography and a brain MRI were included. Patients with known or de novo AF diagnosed within 3 months of the event were excluded. The main outcome was the presence of acute multi-vessel territory infarct(s) on MRI.Results: 356 patients were included. The mean LA diameter was 37 mm in the control group (normal or mildly dilated LA) and 49 mm in those with moderately to severely enlarged LA (p<0.001). More patients in the LA dilatation group met the main outcome (20% vs 6%; OR 3.89; 95% CI 1.32-11.43; p=0.0014). Conclusions: LA dilatation (at least moderate) is associated with acute non lacunar multiple vascular territory infarcts on MRI in patients with AIS or TIA without known AF or a confirmed diagnosis of AF. Further studies are necessary to determine if this population might benefit from anticoagulation therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 602-611
Author(s):  
Stancă Ionut ◽  
Rizea Ileana Olguta ◽  
Popescu Andreea Caterina ◽  
Albu Alice ◽  
Rus Mihaela ◽  
...  

Betathalassemic patients demonstrate an increased rate of extracardiac vascular complications, but very low prevalence for coronary artery disease. Computed tomography (CT) achieves excellent tissue characterization, with high spatial resolution and has developed as a gold standard for noninvasive angiography and calcium score assessment.  Methods.  We examined 7 patients with major beta-thalassemia and 7 patients who had an indication for cardiac CT for resting ECG changes, without symptoms of angina pectoris. We investigated the coronary atherosclerosis by assessing the coronary artery calcium (CAC) and arterial stifness. Usual tests and echocardiography measurement were performed. Cardiac computed tomography determined left ventricular mass, left ventricular ejection fraction  (LVEF), coronary calcium score and coronary anatomy. An analysis of myocardial density was also performed. Artery stiffness was assessed by the cardio ankle vascular index  (CAVI). Results. Arterial stiffness index in betathallasemic group was higher than control group, R-CAVI index was 6.21± 0.49 vs 5.65±0.37 and L-CAVI index was 6.21± 0.38 vs 5.71±0.31. The assessment of systolic function by echocardiography and cardiac CT examination in the 2 groups, shows that the LVEF in the betathallasemic group was significantly lower than in the control group, which means that some patients already had cardiomyopathy. LV myocardial mass was significantly higher in the group with beta-thalassemia, which is explained by the appearance of myocardial remodeling. The calcium score in patients with major beta-thalassemia was 0 and 8,5± 5,9  in the control group. Only 3 patients (42,8%) in the control group had a calcium score > 10U. No atherosclerotic lesions were observed in patients with major beta-thalassemia, whereas the control group showed mild coronary atherosclerotic lesions. If myocardial density can be determined, calcium or iron deposits can be detected in the myocardium. In patients with beta-thalassemia, the density of the myocardium was higher, both in the left ventricle (49.29 8.87±HU) and in the septum (56.71± 8.1 HU). Calculation of Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a good association between CT and echocardiography, reproducibility of CT was significantly higher on an intra-observer level for LVEF and LV Mass. Conclusions: Patients with β–thalassemia major have a similar calcium score compared to control subjects, but they have an increase in arterial stiffness. However, zero frequencie of coronary heart disease,  denotes coronary protection mechanisms in thalassemia, so future research should focus on the anti-atherogenic potential of blood lipids at these patients. The ability of cardiac tomography to detect calcifications and changes in myocardial density should be valued, as it can be a good tool for establishing the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy by iron loading.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Kyun Oh ◽  
Kyung Jae Yoon ◽  
Yong-Taek Lee ◽  
Seoung Wan Chae ◽  
Hye Young Choi ◽  
...  

Objective To evaluate the effects of zolpidem on functional recovery in a rat model of acute ischemic stroke. Methods Following ischemic stroke procedures, 42 rats (six in each group) were randomly assigned to receive zolpidem (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg) or normal saline administer intraperitoneally once daily for two weeks. Motor behavioural index (MBI) scores, radial 8-arm maze (RAM) test times and brain MRI scans were obtained 24 hours (Day 1) and two weeks (Day 14) post-procedure. Immunohistochemistry was performed on Day 14. Results By comparison with the normal saline group, the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem groups showed statistically significant improvements in MBI scores and increased numbers of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stained cells over the two week dosing period. By contrast, the 4.0 mg/kg zolpidem group had statistically significantly impaired MBI scores compared with the control group. No differences among groups were found in RAM times or infarction volumes. Conclusions This study in a rat model showed that 0.5–1.0 mg/kg of zolpidem had beneficial effects on behavioural recovery by enhancing neural plasticity without causing any memory impairment in acute ischemic stroke.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2110249
Author(s):  
Giorgio FM Cattaneo ◽  
Andrea M Herrmann ◽  
Sebastian A Eiden ◽  
Manuela Wieser ◽  
Elias Kellner ◽  
...  

Selective therapeutic hypothermia (TH) showed promising preclinical results as a neuroprotective strategy in acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to assess safety and feasibility of an intracarotid cooling catheter conceived for fast and selective brain cooling during endovascular thrombectomy in an ovine stroke model. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 3 h) was performed in 20 sheep. In the hypothermia group (n = 10), selective TH was initiated 20 minutes before recanalization, and was maintained for another 3 h. In the normothermia control group (n = 10), a standard 8 French catheter was used instead. Primary endpoints were intranasal cooling performance (feasibility) plus vessel patency assessed by digital subtraction angiography and carotid artery wall integrity (histopathology, both safety). Secondary endpoints were neurological outcome and infarct volumes. Computed tomography perfusion demonstrated MCA territory hypoperfusion during MCAO in both groups. Intranasal temperature decreased by 1.1 °C/3.1 °C after 10/60 minutes in the TH group and 0.3 °C/0.4 °C in the normothermia group (p < 0.001). Carotid artery and branching vessel patency as well as carotid wall integrity was indifferent between groups. Infarct volumes (p = 0.74) and neurological outcome (p = 0.82) were similar in both groups. Selective TH was feasible and safe. However, a larger number of subjects might be required to demonstrate efficacy.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Song ◽  
Jinkwon Kim ◽  
Dongbeom Song ◽  
Yong-Jae Kim ◽  
Hyo Suk Nam ◽  
...  

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were predictive of mortality in elderly and considered as a putative marker for risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Stroke patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) require anticoagulation, which increases the risk of hemorrhages. We investigated association of CMBs with the long term mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Methods: During 6 years , consecutive ischemic stroke patients who had NVAF and who had undergone brain MRI with a gradient-recalled echo sequence were enrolled. Long-term mortality and causes of death were identified using data from Korean National Statistical Office. Survival analysis was performed whether the presence, number and location of CMBs were related with all causes, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality during follow-up. Results: Total 506 patients were enrolled during the study period and were followed up for median 2.5 years. CMBs were found in 30.8% of patients (156/506). Oral anticoagulation with warfarin was prescribed at discharge in 477 (82.7%) patients. During follow up, 177 (35%) patients died and cerebrovascular death was noted in 93 patients (81 ischemic stroke and 12 hemorrhagic stroke). After adjusting age, sex and significant variables in univariate analysis (p<0.1), multiple CMBs (≥5) were the independent predictor for all-cause, cardiovascular and ischemic stroke mortalities. The strictly lobar CMBs were associated with hemorrhagic stroke mortality in multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 4.776, p=0.032) (Figure 1). Conclusions: Multiple CMBs were the independent predictor for the long term mortality in stroke patients with NVAF. Among them, patients with strictly lobar CMBs had a high risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Our findings suggest that detection of CMBs in stroke patients with NVAF are of clinical relevance for predicting long term outcome and that particular concern is necessary in those with strictly lobar CMBs for their increased risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Figure 1.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bivard ◽  
Christopher Levi ◽  
Longting Lin ◽  
Xin Cheng ◽  
Richard Aviv ◽  
...  

In the present study we sought to measure the relative statistical value of various multimodal CT protocols at identifying treatment responsiveness in patients being considered for thrombolysis. We used a prospectively collected cohort of acute ischemic stroke patients being assessed for IV-alteplase, who had CT-perfusion (CTP) and CT-angiography (CTA) before a treatment decision. Linear regression and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were performed to measure the prognostic value of models incorporating each imaging modality. One thousand five hundred and sixty-two sub-4.5 h ischemic stroke patients were included in this study. A model including clinical variables, alteplase treatment, and NCCT ASPECTS was weak (R2 0.067, P &lt; 0.001, AUC 0.605) at predicting 90 day mRS. A second model, including dynamic CTA variables (collateral grade, occlusion severity) showed better predictive accuracy for patient outcome (R2 0.381, P &lt; 0.001, AUC 0.781). A third model incorporating CTP variables showed very high predictive accuracy (R2 0.488, P &lt; 0.001, AUC 0.899). Combining all three imaging modalities variables also showed good predictive accuracy for outcome but did not improve on the CTP model (R2 0.439, P &lt; 0.001, AUC 0.825). CT perfusion predicts patient outcomes from alteplase therapy more accurately than models incorporating NCCT and/or CT angiography. This data has implications for artificial intelligence or machine learning models.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ni ◽  
Huisheng Chen ◽  
Guofang Chen ◽  
Yong Ji ◽  
Fei Yi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Thrombolytic therapy improves disability and survival rates; however, to be effective, it must be given within 4.5 hours of onset. Moreover, thrombolytic therapy is frequently contraindicated. Therefore, alternative therapeutic options are required. In China, cinepazide maleate injection has been shown to improve the cerebral collateral circulation and further reduce disability in stroke patients; however, very few studies investigating this therapy have been conducted to date. Therefore, this study aimed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of cinepazide maleate injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke were administered an intravenous infusion of 320 mg cinepazide maleate or placebo once daily for 14 days. All patients were also administered basic therapy (citicoline sodium). The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤2 on day 90. Secondary efficacy endpoints included Barthel Index ≥95. Safety was evaluated by recording all adverse events (AEs), monitoring laboratory parameters and vital signs, and electrocardiogram.Results: In total, 937 patients with an acute ischemic stroke were included, with a mean (standard deviation, SD) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 8.8 (2.4) and a mean (SD) stroke onset of 30.9 (11.4) hours prior. Following treatment for 90 days, the proportion of patients with an mRS score ≤2 was significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (60.9% vs. 50.1%; p=0.0004). Moreover, the proportion of patients with a Barthel Index of ≥95 on day 90 was also significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (53.4% vs. 46.7%; p=0.0230). There were no statistically significant differences in safety parameters between the cinepazide maleate and control groups.Conclusions: The results of this study show that cinepazide maleate injection is superior to placebo in improving neurological function and activities of daily living, reducing disability, and promoting functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Cinepazide maleate injection was safe and well tolerated with no unexpected AEs reported.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry CTR20160292 and ChiCTR1900023827. Retrospectively registered June 13, 2019.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Won Choi ◽  
In Woo Ryoo ◽  
Jun Yeong Hong ◽  
Kyung-Yul Lee ◽  
Hyo Suk Nam ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Sex hormones may be associated with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke or stroke-related events. In observational studies, lower testosterone concentrations are associated with infirmity, vascular disease, and adverse cardiovascular risk factors. Currently, female sexual hormones are considered neuroprotective agents. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of sex hormones and the ratio of estradiol/testosterone (E/T) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2016, 146 male patients with AIS and 152 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this study. Sex hormones, including estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, were evaluated in the AIS patient and control groups. We analyzed the clinical and physiological levels of sex hormones and hormone ratios in these patients.Results: The E/T ratio was significantly elevated among patients in the stroke group compared to those in the control group (P = 0.001). Categorization of data into tertiles revealed that patients with the highest E/T ratio were more likely to have AIS [odds ratio (OR) 3.084; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.616-5.886; P < 0.001) compared with those in the first tertile. The E/T ratio was also an independent unfavorable outcome predictor with an adjusted OR of 1.167 (95% CI: 1.053-1.294; P = 0.003).Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that increased estradiol and reduced testosterone levels are associated with AIS in men.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 2316
Author(s):  
O. V. Khlynova ◽  
E. A. Shishkina ◽  
N. I. Abgaryan

Aim. To study the association of cytokine status with coronary atherosclerosis severity in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).Material and methods. Between 11.2018 and 07.2019, 92 patients hospitalized with MI in Perm Clinical Cardiology Dispensary were included in the study. The control group consisted of 23 patients with stable coronary artery disease. In addition to the standard examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of interleukins (IL)-6, -10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein.Results. Significant increase in plasma IL-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein levels in MI patients compared with the control group. The increase in the concentration of IL-6, TNF-α, as well as the IL-6/IL-10 ratio occurs in proportion to coronary atherosclerosis severity. A direct correlation of Gensini score with IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-6/IL-10 ratio was established.Conclusion. Further study of cytokine profile parameters in MI patients will help a clearer understanding pathogenesis of coronary artery atherosclerosis. An increase in concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-6/IL-10 ratio is associated with an increase in coronary atherosclerosis severity and can be used in practice for its prediction.


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