亚临床卒中与血管性认知功能障碍

目的 探讨亚临床卒中与血管性认知功能损害的相关性.方法 连续选取2005-02～2006-12我科收治的首发急性缺血性脑卒中患者119例,依据卒中后3个月的认知评定结果 及相应的诊断标准分为认知正常对照组、血管性认知障碍无痴呆组(CIND),收集人口学特征、卒中危险因子、血清学、胸片、心电图、神经心理量表等,详细记录各患者头颅CT/MRI检查结果 .3个月后复检.结果 认知功能损害组呈现高龄、低文化水平、血糖水平、左大脑半球病灶、病灶大小、亚临床卒中病灶数目与认知功能损害相关,非条件 Logistic回归分析表明,亚临床卒中数目是认知损害的危险因子.结论 卒中后认知功能障碍与高龄、低文化水平、血糖水平、左侧半球病灶及病灶大小相关,亚临床卒中是认知功能损害的强烈预测因子.     

蒙特利尔认知评估量表在血管性认知功能障碍中的应用

目的 探讨蒙特利尔认知评估(MoCA)量表(中文版)在血管性认知功能障碍(VCI)中的应用.方法 选择166例具有脑血管病危险因素或脑血管疾病患者,根据VCI诊断标准分为无认知功能障碍(NCI)组(52例)、无痴呆的血管性认知功能障碍(VCIND)组(76例)及血管性痴呆(VD)组(38例),分别给予MoCA量表和简易精神状态检查(MMSE)量表测试.结果 将认知功能障碍MoCA分界值定为26分时,VCIND组MoCA的敏感性为90.79%,MMSE为26.31%;VD组MoCA的敏感性为100%,MMSE为86.84%;MoCA和MMSE特异性分别为84.62%和100%.结论 与MMSE量表相比,MoCA量表更适用于VCI的筛查.     

急性缺血性卒中后认知功能障碍及其相关因素的横断面研究

研究背景急性缺血性卒中可导致认知功能障碍,甚至引起血管性痴呆,早期识别血管性认知损害、积极寻找相关因素、及时进行有效治疗可以减少甚至防止认知功能进一步减退,本研究旨在探讨急性缺血性卒中后认知功能障碍及其相关因素。方法选择符合入组条件的急性缺血性卒中患者共314例,分别应用蒙特利尔认知评价量表(MoCA)评价认知功能、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评价脑卒中后神经功能缺损程度、Barthel指数评价日常生活活动能力、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评价情绪状态。结果与脑卒中后无认知功能障碍组相比,脑卒中后认知功能障碍组患者受教育程度低、日常生活活动能力差(P=0.000,0.008),而HAMD评分和NIHSS评分增加(均P=0.000),血清超敏C反应蛋白和糖化血红蛋白水平升高(P=0.002,0.005);其中血清超敏C反应蛋白和糖化血红蛋白水平、NIHSS评分、HAMD评分与MoCA评分呈负相关(均P<0.05),Barthel指数与MoCA评分呈正相关(P<0.05);影像学分型以皮质型缺血性脑血管病和左侧大脑半球缺血性脑血管病为主(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析提示,受教育程度低、糖尿病病史、HAMD评分、血清超敏C反应蛋白和糖化血红蛋白水平是脑卒中后认知功能障碍的危险因素。结论脑卒中后认知损害与社会人口学因素、脑卒中部位、抑郁程度、神经功能缺损程度,以及血清超敏C反应蛋白水平、血糖控制情况密切相关。     

代谢综合征患者缺血性卒中后认知损害的观察

目的 探讨代谢综合征与缺血性卒中后认知损害之间的关系.方法 连续收集94例首发缺血性卒中患者的临床资料.分为非代谢综合征(非MetS)组和代谢综合征(MetS)组,对发病后2周和3个月时患者记忆力、执行功能、注意力、视空间等功能进行评价,参照Ballard等方法 观察两组间认知功能演变的差异性.结果 发病后2周和3个月时,94例患者认知损害发生率分别为24.47%(23/94)和22.34%(21/94),其中非痴呆性认知损害发生率分别为21.28%(20/94)和19.15%(18/94),痴呆性认知损害发生率均为3.19%(3/94、3/94).MetS组患者发病2周和3个月时认知损害发生率分别为37.50%(15,40)和35.00%(14/40),与非MetS组之间差异有统计学意义(Z=2.500,P=0.012;Z=2.513,P=0.012);MMSE总评分,以及延迟回忆和画钟测验评分均低于非MetS.组(P<0.05).Mets组患者发病后3个月时认知功能进一步恶化的病例数高于非MetS组患者,差异有统计学意义(Z=2.134,P=0.033).结论 代谢综合征可增加缺血性卒中后认知损害发生率,以非痴呆性认知损害为主,主要累及执行功能、记忆力.其认知状态演变亦呈恶化趋势.     

隐匿性脑梗死轻度认知功能障碍的影响因素分析

目的 分析影响隐匿性脑梗死(SCI)患者认知功能障碍的因素.方法 82例SCI患者应用简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)及中文版蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)的检测,并比较两种量表对轻度认知障碍(MCI)的检出率.依据测查结果分为轻度认知功能障碍(MCI)组及认知功能正常(NCI)组,所有患者均进行一般情况评定和实验室检查、抑郁量表评估、影像学检测病灶的部位和侧别、颈动脉彩色多普勒测定颈动脉粥样硬化程度.结果 MoCA量表测查MCI的敏感性较MMSE明显增高(MoCA 41.46%,MMSE12.20%,P＜0.01).MCI组合并抑郁者较NCI组多(P＜0.01),MCI组病灶多位于额颞叶皮质及皮质下以及丘脑与NCI组相比有不同,NCI组病灶多位于基底节区、脑干及小脑.颈动脉管腔内径、内膜中层厚度(IMT)及不稳定斑块两组比较有差异(P＜0.01),颈动脉稳定斑块两组比较无差异.结论 在SCI合并MCI的检测中,MoCA量表的敏感性高于MMSE,MoCA对筛选SCI患者是否合并MCI有临床指导意义.SCI中MCI的发生与病灶部位及侧别、颈动脉管腔内径、IMT、斑块的稳定性及是否合并抑郁等多种因素有关.     

后循环缺血性卒中与认知障碍相关性研究

目的 探究后循环缺血性卒中与认知障碍发生的关系。 方法 连续选取2013年11月至2014年11月浙江大学医学院附属第一医院及嘉兴市第二医院收治的急 性后循环缺血性卒中患者67例,收集患者人口学、影像学及认知功能评价资料,并通过磁共振成像 统计梗死部位;通过简明精神状态量表、阿尔兹海默病评定量表认知分量表、临床痴呆量表评估认 知功能;根据认知诊断标准同时结合认知功能评价结果,将患者分为认知功能正常组、血管性轻度 认知障碍组、血管性痴呆组。 结果 67例患者中,认知功能正常32例（47.8%）、血管性轻度认知障碍20例（29.9%）,血 管性痴呆15例（2 2.4%）。通过校正年龄、性别、汉密尔顿抑郁评分等因素后,多因素回归分 析显示：颞枕叶缺血性卒中［比值比（odd ratio,OR）75.89,95%可信区间（confidence interval, C I ）3.92～1 470.06）］增加认知障碍发生风险,脑桥缺血性卒中患者发生认知障碍的风险比 非脑桥缺血性卒中降低90%（OR 0.10,95%CI 0.02～0.60）;进一步分析显示,颞枕叶缺血性卒 中（OR 542.24,95%CI 7.85～37 481.44）增加轻度认知障碍发生风险;小脑缺血性卒中（OR 12.49, 95%CI 1.03～151.58）增加血管性痴呆发生风险。 结论 50%以上后循环缺血性卒中患者发生认知障碍;其中颞枕叶及小脑缺血性卒中增加认知障碍 发生风险,脑桥缺血性卒中与认知障碍发生无显著相关性。     

丁苯酞联合奥拉西坦治疗对急性脑梗死伴非痴呆型认知功能障碍的影响

目的探讨丁苯酞联合奥拉西坦治疗对急性脑梗死伴非痴呆型认知功能障碍的影响。方法选取本院收治的急性脑梗死伴非痴呆型认知功能障碍患者208例,随机分为研究组和对照组各104例。对照组在常规治疗基础上口服奥拉西坦,800mg/次,3次/d;研究组在对照组基础上口服丁苯酞,2粒/次,3次/d。分别于治疗前和治疗3个月后使用NIHSS评分量表评估2组神经功能损伤情况,MoCA评估认知功能,改良Rankin量表、ADL评分评估日常生活质量。结果治疗前2组NIHSS评分、MoCA评分差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗3个月后,研究组NIHSS评分明显低于对照组,MoCA评分明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗3个月后,研究组mRS评分明显低于对照组,ADL评分明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组、对照组不良反应发生率分别为3.84%、5.77%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论丁苯酞与奥拉西坦联用可有效改善脑梗死后非痴呆型认知功能障碍患者的神经功能、认知功能、生活质量,且安全性较高。     

缺血性卒中患者脑白质病变对认知功能的影响

目的 探讨不同程度的脑白质病变对缺血性卒中患者认知功能的影响。方法 连续收集缺血性卒中患者,记录卒中危险因素,进行蒙特利尔认知评估量表（Montrealcognitive assessment,MoCA）等神经心理学测试,进行神经影像学检查,运用与年龄相关的脑白质改变分级量表（age-related white matter changes rating scale,ARWMCRs）对脑白质病变半定量评分。根据ARWMCRs评分结果,将患者分为3组：轻度组、中度组和重度组。比较轻、中、重三组间认知功能的差异。结果 与脑白质病变轻度组比较,中、重度组患者MoCA评分下降（P均＜0.01)。相关性分析发现ARWMCRs评分与MoCA评分呈负相关（r =-0.677,P＜0.01）。结论 脑白质病变影响缺血性卒中患者的认知功能。脑白质病变程度越重,认知功能下降就越为显著。     

急性非致残性脑梗死患者卒中后认知功能障碍与胰岛素抵抗的相关性北大核心CSCD

目的探讨急性非致残性脑梗死患者胰岛素抵抗与早期卒中后认知功能的关系。方法收集2018年4月至2020年4月在南通大学第二附属医院神经内科住院的首发急性非致残性脑梗死患者临床资料。入院第2天检测空腹血糖、胰岛素,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance,HOMA-IR)。随访12个月,记录卒中复发的类型及时间。于发病后3个月随访时剔除再发脑卒中者,其余患者行蒙特利尔认知量表(Montreal cognitive assessment,MoCA)评分。根据3个月MoCA分值将患者分为早期卒中后认知功能障碍(post stroke cognitive impairment,PSCI)组与早期卒中后无认知功能障碍(Non-PSCI)组,比较两组资料;采用logistic回归分析确定急性非致残性脑梗死患者早期PSCI的影响因素。采用Kaplan-Meier分析确定HOMA-IR与卒中复发的关系。结果共收集243例首发急性非致残性脑梗死患者,3个月随访时剔除18例,纳入研究225例。PSCI组的HOMA-IR[3.17(1.42,29.15)vs 1.94(1.25,7.84),Z=2.872,P=0.004]显著高于Non-PSCI组。HOMA-IR(OR=1.032,95%CI 1.010~1.055,P=0.004)是急性非致残性脑梗死患者早期PSCI的危险因素;当HOMA-IR≥2.36时,其与PSCI的关联强度显著增强(HOMA-IR:2.36~<15.24,OR=6.589,95%CI 1.203~36.037,P=0.030;HOMA-IR:≥15.24,OR=9.238,95%CI 1.362~62.634,P=0.023)。随着HOMA-IR水平的升高,非致残性脑梗死患者1年内卒中复发率显著升高(Log Rank检验:χ2=10.54,P=0.014)。结论胰岛素抵抗是急性非致残性脑梗死患者早期PSCI的危险因素,还会增加其1年内的卒中复发率。     

静息性脑梗死患者的认知功能变化

目的 通过随访研究,探讨静息性脑梗死(silent cerebral infarction,SCI)和脑白质疏松(leukoaraiosis,LA)对认知功能的影响.方法 选择138例45～75岁之间的经头颅MRI证实的SCI患者,对SCI的部位及LA的程度进行登记.采用北京版蒙特利尔认知评估(Montreal cognitivo assossment,McCA)量表对患者进行认知功能评定.分析不同部位的SCI及不同程度的LA分别对MoCA分值的影响.12个月后对其进行随访,观察血管事件及认知功能变化.结果 138例SCI中121例有LA改变MoCA平均分值(27.73± 1.79),MoCA＜26为16例(11.59％).所有患者MoCA总分值之和为3827分,比总分减少313分,其中视空间与执行功能减分103分,注意力减分90分,延迟回忆减分64分,抽象减分25分,语言减分15分,命名减分11分,定向障碍减分5分.单因素分析发现SCI分布范围越广,特别同时累及丘脑者,MoCA分值越低;LA程度越重,MoCA均值也越低,且年龄增大、高血压及糖尿病均与MoCA降低均存在密切关系(P＜0.05).但是,二元Logistic回归分析提示只有糖尿病及累及丘脑的多发性SCI与MoCA分值降低有明确关系(P＜0.05).12个月后随访,MoCA的减分率为2.99％,症状性脑卒中的转化率为9.65％.结论 SCI和LA不仅仅是单纯的神经影像学改变,可能也是认知功能损害和卒中的重要预测因子,其中糖尿病或累及丘脑的多发性SCI是认知功能损害的独立危险因素.     

缺血性脑损害对帕金森病运动症状影响的研究

目的：探讨静止性脑梗死(SCl)和脑白质损害(WML)对帕金森病(PD)运动症状的影响。方法：选取无中风史、头颅CT检查末见异常,年龄和病程配比的PD患者,观察3年后头颅MRI显示的SCl及WML的发生率及其对PD的运动功能的影响。结果：伴随高血压、糖尿病的PD患者较无伴随疾病者SCI及WML的发生率明显增高(P＜0．05),出现SCI及WML患者的运动功能评分较无SCI及WML患者明显增加(P＜0．01)。结论：预防脑缺血损害对延缓PD病情进展、控制症状具有重要的临床意义。     

Relationship between subtypes of MRI-confirmed acute ischemic stroke based on OCSP and TOAST classifications

BACKGROUND： Two classification systems exist for subtypes of acute cerebral infarction. One was developed for the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment （TOAST）, based primarily on etiology. The other is the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project （OCSP）, based on clinical features.
OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the relationship between OCSP and TOAST classifications in terms of stroke location and etiology in 126 patients with acute ischemic stroke confirmed by transcranial magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Retrospective case analysis. Transcranial MRI, diffusion weighted imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography were performed in 126 patients with acute stroke during the first 48 hours following admission to the Department of Neurology, Navy General Hospital of Chinese PLA.
PARTICIPANTS： A total of 126 patients with acute stroke, comprised of 71 males and 55 females, admitted to the Navy General Hospital of Chinese PLA between December 2005 and April 2006 were included.
METHODS： Of 126 patients with acute stroke, 13 exhibited total anterior circulation infarcts （TACI）, 51 had partial anterior circulation infarcts （PACI）, 28 suffered posterior circulation infarcts （POCI）, and 34 had lacunar infarcts （LACI） based on OCSP classification. However, according to TOAST classification, 19 cases were a result of large-artery atherosclerosis, 32 by cardioembolism, 36 by small-vessel occlusion, 1 by stroke of other determined etiology, and 38 by stroke of undetermined etiology.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The corresponding relationship of the subtypes of acute stroke based on OCSP and TOAST.
RESULTS： Of patients with TACI, 8 （61.5%） were caused by cardioembolism. Of patients with PACI, 16 （31.4%） were caused by large-artery atherosclerosis and 17 （33.3%） by cardioembolism. Of patients with POCI, 12 （42.8%） were a result of small-vessel occlusion. Of patients with LACI, 17 （50.0%） were caused by hypertension and arteriolar sclerosi     

无症状性脑梗死患者首发症状性急性脑卒中的临床特征及相关危险因素

目的了解无症状性脑梗死患者在首发症状性急性脑卒中发生、发展中的作用。方法选择2013年6月-2015年6月入住哈励逊国际和平医院神经内科200例首发症状性急性脑梗死患者,通过头颅CT或MRI检查,将其分为急性缺血性脑卒中合并无症状性脑梗死组(SCI组)及急性缺血性脑卒中未合并无症状性脑梗死组(非SCI组),两组患者均根据脑卒中临床神经功能缺损程度评分将神经功能缺损程度分为轻、中、重三组。根据头颅CT计算脑梗死面积,根据面积大小分为小梗死灶组、中梗死灶组、大梗死灶组。并均按急性缺铁性脑血管病的治疗原则治疗4w,对其转归进行评估,分为基本痊愈组、进步组、无变化组、恶化组。两组患者均测定糖化血红蛋白(HBA1c)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、溶血磷脂酸(LPA)、血脂系列、尿酸(UA)等,比较各因素在两组间的差异。并对两组梗死部位分类,比较各组间在梗死部位分布的差异。结果SCI组在神经功能缺损中重度组较非SCI组多,轻度组较少,差异有统计学意义;在小梗死灶及大梗死灶组间存在差异,基本痊愈、恶化组及无变化组间存在差异有统计学意义。且HBA1c、Hcy、LPA、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、总胆固醇(TC)在两组间存在差异。两组在梗死部位分布上无明显差异。结论合并无症状性脑梗死的首发症状性急性脑梗死者病情重,梗死面积大,预后差,可能为症状性脑梗死的危险因素之一。HBA1c、Hcy、TC、LDL为无症状性脑梗死的危险因素,可为脑血管病的预防和治疗提供一个新途径。     

磁共振技术指导超急性脑梗死溶栓的研究进展

卒中是严重危害人类健康的常见病、多发病,其中缺血性卒中占75%～90%,致残率和死亡率都很高,给患者家庭和社会带来沉重的负担.超早期溶栓是治疗脑梗死最有效的手段,在"时间就是大脑"的理念指导下,选择合适的患者快速应用溶栓剂是治疗的关键.核磁共振技术能够在急性缺血性卒中的超早期提供许多有价值的信息,如急性缺血灶的位置、范围;是否存在缺血半暗带以及缺血半暗带的大小;是否有颅内大动脉的闭塞或严重狭窄,甚至能够估计缺血性卒中的发病时间.核磁共振技术无疑对指导脑梗死治疗(尤其是溶栓治疗)及判断预后有极大的价值.     

Clinical lacunar syndromes as predictors of lacunar infarcts. A comparison of acute clinical lacunar syndromes and findings on diffusion-weighted MRI

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if patients with acute lacunar syndromes have acute lacunar infarcts or other types of cerebral lesions on diffusion-weighted MRI. METHODS: Patients with acute lacunar syndromes underwent echo-planar diffusion MRI of the brain within 3 days after stroke onset. Localization and size of lesions with hyperintense signal were determined, compared with clinical characteristics and with findings on follow-up T2-weighted MRI. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients participated in the study. Thirteen patients had pure motor stroke, 1 pure sensory stroke, 8 sensorimotor stroke, and 1 ataxic hemiparesis. Twenty-two patients had at least one lesion with increased signal on diffusion-weighted MR images. These acute lesions were in the internal capsule/ basal ganglia/thalamus in 13 patients, subcortical white matter in 5 patients, brainstem in 2 patients, cortex (multiple small lesions) in 1 patient, and cortex + basal ganglia in 1 patient. The median volume of the lesions was 0.6 ml on the initial examination and on follow-up, of 17 patients after 1 to 5 months, 0.5 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all patients with acute ischemic lacunar syndromes have acute lesions on echo-planar diffusion-weighted MRI within 3 days after stroke onset. These lesions are mostly small and subcortical, compatible with lacunar infarcts caused by single penetrating artery occlusion, but in a minor proportion of patients (2 of 23 in our study) a cortical involvement is found.     

Solar term peak of onset and death in 1 597 patients with acute ischemic stroke Circular statistical analysis

BACKGROUND： Previously, time data were analyzed by using constituent ratio or relative ratio; however, circular statistical analysis could exactly provide average peak phase of diseases. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the correlation of solar term peak with onset and death of acute ischemic stroke. DESIGN： Retrospective case analysis. SETTINGS： Emergency Department of Foshan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Department of Science and Education, the Second People＇s Hospital of Foshan. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 1 597 patients with acute ischemic stroke were selected from Emergency Room, Department of Neurology, Foshan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 1994 to 2002. There were 875 males and 722 females, and their ages ranged from 33 to 97 years. All cases met the diagnostic criteria of acute cerebral infarction modified by the Second National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting; meanwhile, they were diagnosed with CT/MRI test. Patients and their relatives provided the confirmed consent. METHODS： Solar term of onset was retrospectively analyzed in 1 597 patients with acute ischemic stroke; among them, solar term of death in 90 cases were analyzed by using circular statistical analysis to calculate peak phase of onset and death of acute ischemic stroke and investigate the correlation of solar term with onset and death of acute ischemic stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Onset and death time of patients with acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS： Solar term of onset in 1 597 patients, especially solar term of death in 90 patients, was not concentrated （P 〉 0.05）, and specific peak phase was not found out. Acute ischemic stroke low attacked from vernal equinox to summer begins, but death caused by acute ischemic stroke high attacked from grain buds to autumn begins. CONCLUSION： Patients with acute ischemic stroke do not have specific solar term peak of onset and death.     

TCD, MRA and MRI in acute cerebral ischemia

Objectives - The aim of this study was to determine accuracy of transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and compare efficacy of three non-invasive tests [TCD, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Material and methods - This prospective study involved 30 patients. MRI, MRA, and TCD were performed within 24 h after onset of ictus. The 2nd MRI was repeated at 48–72 h and was used as the standard for the evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of MRA, TCD, and initial MRI. Results - TCD showed a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 33% for recognizing abnormal cerebral blood flow velocities. MRA showed a sensitivity of 46% and a specificity of 75% for assessing intracranial vascular anatomy, while initial MRI revealed a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 100% for evaluation of ischemic parenchymal changes. Conclusion - Our results revealed that TCD is an accurate indicator of blood flow status and correlated well with MRI, MRA abnormalities in acute stroke.     

高血糖、胰岛素抵抗与脑缺血性损伤

目的:探讨急性脑梗死后高血糖与胰岛素抵抗的作用及相互关系。方法:选取我院非腔隙性脑梗死住院病人50例作为实验组,依据血糖水平将其分为A组22例(单纯性高血糖)及B组(血糖正常)28例。分别在起病24h内、48h、72h、5d及9d测定患者血清中的神经元特异性烯醇酶(NSE)作为脑缺血损伤的生化标志;同时在急性期和恢复期测定空腹血糖(FPG)及空腹胰岛素(FINS),分别计算胰岛素敏感指数(ISI)及NSE释放曲线下面积。结果:实验组NSE呈动态升高,ISI值明显降低,而A组ISI值降低更明显;A组与B组相比,NSE高峰后移及峰值加大;NSE曲线下面积主要与升高的血糖有关,而与血中胰岛素水平及ISI相关性不显著。结论:高血糖加重脑缺血性损伤:胰岛素抵抗是脑梗死的危险因素,但对脑损伤的作用不明显。     

Stroke recurrence within the first year following cerebral infarction--Tottori University Lacunar Infarction Prognosis Study (TULIPS)

OBJECTIVES: To identify determinants of recurrence after ischemic stroke in the Japanese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 885 patients with acute ischemic stroke that had been admitted to our community hospitals. A total of 831 cases were followed for 1 year after the index stroke. Patients were assigned to one of the ischemic stroke subtype groups based on the NINDS Stroke Data Bank criteria. RESULTS: Rates of stroke recurrence were significantly different among stroke subtype groups: 14.4% in cardioembolic infarction, 7.3% in atherothrombotic infarction (ATI), 6.2% in lacunar infarction (LI) and 7.8% in infarction of uncertain cause. Previous history of stroke was the predictor of stroke recurrence for the groups of ATI and LI patients, and diabetes mellitus was the predictor of recurrence for the group of LI patients. CONCLUSION: The rate of recurrence and risk factors for stroke recurrence are different by stroke subtypes.     

The yield of expanding the therapeutic time window for tPA

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke has been proved to be effective when given within 3 h of onset of stroke symptoms. Partly due to this time limit, less than 10% of stroke patients are treated with tPA. This study assessed the potential for increased tPA utilization with a theoretical time limit of 6 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 117 patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular disease were prospectively registered over a 3-month period, with emphasis on timing and criteria for tPA treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-eight of 117 patients (75%) had an acute ischemic stroke. Of these, 23% arrived within 3 h, 8% within 3-6 h, and 69% later than 6 h after symptom onset. Of the seven patients in the 3-6 h group, only one had time delay as the only contraindication to tPA. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that reducing patient delay, rather than increasing the time limit for thrombolytic treatment, may increase the frequency of tPA utilization. Changing time limits for thrombolysis may reduce time delay from stroke onset to arrival in hospital due to more rapid handling of patients by the emergency medical services.