Ischemic stroke mimics: A comprehensive review

BackgroundIschemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death. Ischemic stroke mimics (SMs) can account for a noteble number of diagnosed acute strokes and even can be thrombolyzed.MethodsThe aim of our comprehensive review was to summarize the findings of different studies focusing on the prevalence, type, risk factors, presenting symptoms, and outcome of SMs in stroke/thrombolysis situations.ResultsOverall, 61 studies were selected with 62.664 participants. Ischemic stroke mimic rate was 24.8% (15044/60703). Most common types included peripheral vestibular dysfunction in 23.2%, toxic/metabolic in 13.2%, seizure in 13%, functional disorder in 9.7% and migraine in 7.76%. Ischemic stroke mimic have less vascular risk factors, younger age, female predominance, lower (nearly normal) blood pressure, no or less severe symptoms compared to ischemic stroke patients (p < 0.05 in all cases). 61.7% of ischemic stroke patients were thrombolysed vs. 26.3% among SMs (p < 0.001). (p < 0.001). Overall intracranial hemorrhage was reported in 9.4% of stroke vs. 0.7% in SM patients (p < 0.001). Death occurred in 11.3% of stroke vs 1.9% of SM patients (p < 0.001). Excellent outcome was (mRS 0–1) was reported in 41.8% ischemic stroke patients vs. 68.9% SMs (p < 0.001). Apart from HINTS manouvre or Hoover sign there is no specific method in the identification of mimics. MRI DWI or perfusion imaging have a role in the setup of differential diagnosis, but merit further investigation.ConclusionOur article is among the first complex reviews focusing on ischemic stroke mimics. Although it underscores the safety of thrombolysis in this situation, but also draws attention to the need of patient evaluation by physicians experienced in the diagnosis of both ischemic stroke and SMs, especially in vertigo, headache, seizure and conversional disorders.     

溶栓治疗和TOAST、OCSP分型对急性缺血性脑卒中患者短期预后的影响

目的:探讨急性缺血性卒中的患者应用阿替普酶溶栓后的短期预后以及TOAST、OCSP两种分型与急性缺血性脑卒中患者预后的关系。方法:回顾性分析2019年1月至2020年6月中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院急诊科来诊的急性缺血性脑卒中住院患者193例[其中男性158例,女性85例,年龄(69.46±13.02)岁],其中应用阿替普酶溶栓治疗患者66例,未应用溶栓治疗患者127例,比较溶栓患者与未溶栓患者短期预后;分析TOAST分型、OCSP分型对急性缺血性卒中预后的影响。结果：:溶栓组与未溶栓组的住院天数差异无统计学意义（ P>0.05）,而入院和出院时NIHSS评分好转率、GCS评分、mRS评分均差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）。根据TOAST分型LAA 78例（40.41%）,SAO 100例（51.81%）,CE9例（4.66%）,SOE3例（1.55%）,SUE3例（1.55）;其中SAO型占得比例最高（51.81%）,入院和出院时NIHSS评分好转率与LAA组比较差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）,短期预后最好。OCSP分型中LACI 39例（20.21%）,PACI 64例（33.16%）,POCI 55例（28.50%）,TACI 35例（18.13%）,其中PACI组所占比例最高,而LACI组入院和出院时NIHSS评分好转率与其他组相比差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）,短期预后好。 结论:急性缺血性卒中患者经过阿替普酶溶栓治疗后短期预后、症状改善效果明显,TOAST病因分型和OCSP临床分型对急性缺血性卒中患者的短期预后有一定的预测和临床参考作用。     

阿替普酶治疗不同时间窗发病急性脑梗死疗效观察

目的观察不同剂量阿替谱酶(rt-PA)治疗不同时间窗发病急性脑梗死的疗效观察。方法选择2019年1月至12月于发病<4.5 h行rt-PA静脉溶栓治疗的急性脑梗死患者122例,对其资料进行回顾性分析。按照发病时间窗、rt-PA剂量不同分为4组,发病至用药时间<3 h为Ⅰ组,rt-PA剂量0.6mg/kg(Ⅰa组),0.9 mg/kg(Ⅰb组);发病至用药3~4.5 h为Ⅱ组,rt-PA剂量0.6 mg/kg(Ⅱa组),0.9 mg/kg(Ⅱb组)。比较4组患者间溶栓治疗后2h、24 h、7 d神经功能缺损量表(NIHSS)评分改善情况。结果Ⅰa组与Ⅱa组比较,溶栓后2h、24h、7d NIIHSS改善程度较后者明显(P<0.05);Ⅰb组与Ⅱb组比较,溶栓后2 h NIHSS改善程度较后者明显(P<0.05)。Ⅰ组与型组比较,2h、24 h、7 d症状程度明显改善(P<0.05)。结论超早期应用rt-PA,治疗时间窗越短,早期疗效越佳。     

酒后脑梗死的溶栓治疗

目的探讨酒后脑梗死患者的特点、溶栓决策及结局。方法选取2012年9月~2013年6月期间首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院神经内科急诊溶栓绿色通道的酒后脑梗死患者11例,收集患者的临床表现、影像特征、溶栓情况及结局进行回顾性分析。结果 11例酒后脑梗死患者发病0.5~8 h进入急诊溶栓绿色通道,皆为男性,中位数年龄59岁(四分位数间距53.5~60),到达医院时平均中位数发病时间为120 min(四分位数间距45~250)。就诊时主要症状:9例为偏身无力,1例为偏身不自主运动,1例为单肢麻木。小卒中患者8例(73%)。临床过程及转归:2例接受静脉溶栓后明显改善,1例接受动脉溶栓后明显改善,2例拒绝溶栓后自发缓解,3例因症状轻微而未溶栓且自发缓解,2例发病超过3 h的患者因磁共振灌注成像正常而未溶栓,1例发病超过3 h的患者因磁共振弥散加权成像和灌注成像均正常而未溶栓。最终5例在影像上有明确的新发梗死灶。根据急性卒中治疗低分子肝素试验病因分型法(Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment,TOAST)的分型标准,接受溶栓的3例患者中,2例为大动脉粥样硬化性闭塞,1例为小动脉闭塞;拒绝和未接受溶栓的8例患者均为小动脉闭塞。结论酒后脑梗死多数预后好,有可能从溶栓中获益。酒后脑梗死病因多为小动脉闭塞,少部分是大动脉粥样硬化性闭塞。     

Prognostic value of frontal QRS-T angle in predicting survival after primary percutaneous coronary revascularization/coronary artery bypass grafting for ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BackgroundFrontal QRS-T angle (FQRST) has previously been correlated with mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease, but its role as survival predictor after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unknown.MethodsWe evaluated 267 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion or coronary artery bypass grafting. Data assessed included demographics, clinical presentation, electrocardiograms, medical therapy, and one-year mortality.ResultsOf 267 patients, 187 (70%) were males and most (49.4%) patients were Caucasian. All-cause mortality was significantly higher among patients with the highest (101–180°) FQRST [28% vs. 15%, p = 0.02]. Patients with FQRST 1–50° had higher survival (85.6%) compared with FQRST = 51–100° (72.3%) and FQRST = 101–180° (67.9%), [log rank, p = 0.01]. Adjusting for significant variables identified during univariate analysis, FQRST (OR = 2.04 [95% CI: 1.31–13.50]) remained an independent predictor of one-year mortality. FQRST-based risk score (1–50° = 0 points, 51–100° = 2 points, 101–180° = 5 points) had excellent discriminatory ability for one-year mortality when combined with Mayo Clinic Risk Score (C statistic = 0.875 [95%CI: 0.813–0.937]. A high (>4 points) FQRST risk score was associated with greater mortality (32% vs. 19%, p = 0.02) and longer length of stay (6 vs. 2 days, p < 0.001).ConclusionFQRST represents a novel independent predictor of one-year mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion. A high FQRST-based risk score was associated with greater mortality and longer length of stay and, after combining with Mayo Clinic Risk Score, improved discriminatory ability for one-year mortality.     

Diabetes-Related Factors and the Effects of Ticagrelor Plus Aspirin in the THEMIS and THEMIS-PCI Trials

BackgroundTHEMIS (The Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Intervention Study) (n = 19,220) and its pre-specified THEMIS-PCI (The Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Intervention Study-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) (n = 11,154) subanalysis showed, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (median duration 10.0 years; HbA_1c 7.1%) and stable coronary artery disease without prior myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, that ticagrelor plus aspirin (compared with placebo plus aspirin) produced a favorable net clinical benefit (composite of all-cause mortality, MI, stroke, fatal bleeding, and intracranial bleeding) if the patients had a previous percutaneous coronary intervention.ObjectivesIn these post hoc analyses, the authors examined whether the primary efficacy outcome (cardiovascular death, MI, stroke: 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE]), primary safety outcome (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction–defined major bleeding) and net clinical benefit varied with diabetes-related factors.MethodsOutcomes were analyzed across baseline diabetes duration, HbA_1c, and antihyperglycemic medications.ResultsIn THEMIS, the incidence of 3-point MACE increased with diabetes duration (6.7% for ≤5 years, 11.1% for >20 years) and HbA_1c (6.4% for ≤6.0%, 11.8% for >10.0%). The relative benefits of ticagrelor plus aspirin on 3-point MACE reduction (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.90; p = 0.04) were generally consistent across subgroups. Major bleeding event rate (overall: 1.6%) did not vary by diabetes duration or HbA_1c and was increased similarly by ticagrelor across all subgroups (HR: 2.32; p < 0.001). These findings were mirrored in THEMIS-PCI. The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor plus aspirin did not differ by baseline antihyperglycemic therapy. In THEMIS-PCI, but not THEMIS, ticagrelor generally produced favorable net clinical benefit across diabetes duration, HbA_1c, and antihyperglycemic medications.ConclusionTicagrelor plus aspirin yielded generally consistent and favorable net clinical benefit across the diabetes-related factors in THEMIS-PCI but not in the overall THEMIS population.     

经颅多普勒超声对大脑中动脉急性闭塞脑缺血溶栓血流分级的评估

目的探讨应用经颅多普勒超声（TCD）评价大脑中动脉（MCA）急性闭塞患者脑缺血溶栓血流分级（thrombolysis in brain ischemia，TIBI）。方法选择符合溶栓适应证（≤6h）、TCD诊断为MCA急性闭塞的患者36例。应用重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（r-tPA）或尿激酶进行静脉溶栓。观察患者溶栓前、后TIB1分级变化情况，评价TIB1分级与溶栓前NIHSS评分、溶栓后3个月改良Rankin评分的相关性。结果①36例患者中，溶栓前TIBI分级0～1级21例（58．3％），2～3级15例（41．7％）。溶栓后次日TIBI分级0～1级7例（19．4％），2～3级14例（38．9％），4～5级15例（41．7％）；溶栓总有效率为63．9％（23／36）。②溶栓前TIBI血流分级与NIHSS评分呈负相关（r=-0．829，P=0．000）。③溶栓后的TIBI血流分级与Rankin评分呈负相关（r=-0.57，P=0．001）。结论TIBI分级与MCA急性闭塞的神经功能缺损评分相关，能够反映溶栓效果，有助于判断预后。     

Impact of Oral Thrombolysis After Catheter-based Thrombectomy in Acute and Subacute Submassive Pulmonary Thromboembolism

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“翻山鞘”联合大腔导管抽吸技术在下肢深静脉血栓中的应用

目的：探讨“翻山鞘”联合大腔导管抽吸技术治疗下肢深静脉血栓方法与疗效。方法回顾分析28例下肢深静脉血栓患者先行下腔静脉滤器植入,而后采取“翻山鞘”联合大腔导管抽吸治疗下肢深静脉血栓,配合导管溶栓及抗凝。结果28例患者“翻山鞘”全部跨越髂静脉分叉,进入患侧髂外静脉。本组显效16例;有效10例,无效2例,术后无并发症出现。结论下肢深静脉血栓通过“翻山鞘”联合大腔导管抽吸技术治疗取得了满意的疗效,节约手术时间,降低手术风险。     

Safety and Efficacy of Low Dosage of Urokinase for Catheter-directed Thrombolysis of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Background:

Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) has been a mainstay in treating deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, the optimal dosage of a thrombolytic agent is still controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low dosage urokinase with CDT for DVT.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed using data from a total of 427 patients with DVT treated with CDT in our single center between July 2009 and December 2012. Early efficacy of thrombolysis was assessed with a thrombus score based on daily venography. The therapeutic safety was evaluated by adverse events. A venography or duplex ultrasound was performed to assess the outcome at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively.

Results:

The mean total dose of 3.34 (standard deviation [SD] 1.38) million units of urokinase was administered during a mean of 5.18 (SD 2.28) days. Prior to discharge, Grade III (complete lysis) was achieved in 154 (36%) patients; Grade II (50–99% lysis) in 222 (52%); and Grade I (50% lysis) in 51 (12%). The major complications included one intracranial hemorrhage, one hematochezia, five gross hematuria, and one pulmonary embolism. Moreover, no death occurred in the study.

Conclusions:

Treatment of low-dose catheter-directed thrombosis is an efficacious and safe therapeutic approach in patients with DVT offering good long-term outcomes and minimal complications.