Prevalence and risk factors for cerebral microbleeds in elderly Chinese patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: A single-center study

ObjectivesPeople with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) frequently use antithrombotic agents and statins. The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in elderly (≥ 65 years old) Chinese people with ASCVD.Materials and methodsWe prospectively included 755 eligible participants with complete MRI data, and CMBs were discerned on the SWI sequence. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors associated with CMBs.ResultsThe average age was 74.9 ± 9.5 years, and the prevalence of CMBs was 37.9% (286/755). Of those with CMBs, 65.0% (186/286) had strictly lobar CMBs, 35.0% (100/286) had deep or infratentorial CMBs with or without lobar CMBs. We divided CMBs into two groups according to their locations, lobar CMBs group (strictly lobar CMBs) and deep CMBs group (with or without lobar CMBs). Age per 10 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.72, p < 0.001), statin use (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.05–2.26, p = 0.03), and lacunes (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09–2.68, p = 0.02) were associated with any CMBs. Age per 10 years (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.63, p < 0.001), statin use (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12–2.50, p = 0.01), and white matter hyperintensities (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.17–2.51, p < 0.01) were associated with lobar CMBs. Only lacunes were associated with deep CMBs (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.85–5.87, p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn elderly people with risk factors of ASCVD, antithrombotic drug use was not associated with any CMBs, lobar CMBs, or deep CMBs. Statin use was correlated with lobar CMBs but not deep CMBs.     

症状性小动脉硬化脑小血管病患者脑微出血的危险因素分析

目的 应用头颅MRI的SWI序列检测症状性小动脉硬化脑小血管病(cerebral small vessel disease,CSVD)患者脑微出血(cerebral microbleeds,CMBs)灶,分析不同部位CMBs的临床特征差异及CMBs的危险因素。方法 回顾性纳入2017年3月—2018年10月就诊于新疆昌吉州中医院神经内科的小动脉硬化的CSVD患者。根据有无微出血分为CMBs组与无CMBs组。应用二元logistic回归分析CMBs的独立危险因素;判断CMBs数量分级与独立危险因素的相关性。根据CMBs的位置分为脑叶区亚组、深部区亚组、幕下区亚组。比较脑叶区CMBs与非脑叶区CMBs、深部CMBs与非深部CMBs、幕下区CMBs与非幕下区CMBs亚组之间的临床特征差异。结果 共纳入144例CSVD患者,CMBs组42例(29.2%),无CMBs组102例(70.8%),其中脑叶区18例,深部白质区23例,幕下区9例。二元logistic回归分析显示,低载脂蛋白b水平(OR 0.308,95%CI 0.099～0.957,P=0.042)及高空腹血糖值(OR 1.128,9...     

Distribution of Cerebral Microbleeds Determines Their Association with Impaired Kidney Function

Background and Purpose

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with various pathologies of the cerebral small vessels according to their distribution (i.e., cerebral amyloid angiopathy or hypertensive angiopathy). We investigated the association between CMB location and kidney function in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

We enrolled 1669 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent gradient-recalled echo brain magnetic resonance imaging. Kidney function was determined using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CMBs were classified into strictly lobar, strictly nonlobar (i.e., only deep or infratentorial), and a combination of both lobar and nonlobar. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with the existence of CMBs according to their location.

Results

The patients were aged 66±12 years (mean±standard deviation), and 61.9% (1033/1669) of them were male. CMBs were found in 27.0% (452/1669) of the patients. The stroke subtypes of small-artery occlusion and cardioembolism occurred more frequently in those with strictly nonlobar CMBs (10.8%) and strictly lobar CMBs (48.8%), respectively. The mean eGFR was lower in the strictly nonlobar CMBs group (72±28 mL/min/1.73 m²) and the both lobar and nonlobar CMBs group (72±25 mL/min/1.73 m²) than in the no-CMBs group (86±29 mL/min/1.73 m²). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression revealed that eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² was independently related to strictly nonlobar CMBs (odds ratio=2.63, p=0.001).

Conclusions

Impaired kidney function is associated with strictly nonlobar CMBs. Our findings indicate that the distribution of CMBs should be considered when evaluating their relationships or prognoses.     

Cerebral Microbleeds and Chronic Kidney Disease in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association between CMBs and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF. Methods: We retrospectively examined consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF who underwent brain gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The number and distribution (lobar, deep or infratentorial, and mixed) of CMBs were assessed. Kidney function was assessed according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which was calculated using a modified version of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Results: Of the 357 included patients, 105 (29.4%) had CMBs. CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) was found in 131 (36.7%) patients. Patients with CKD showed a higher prevalence of any form of CMB (41.2% versus 22.6%, P < .001), deep or infratentorial CMBs (19.9% versus 9.3%, P < .01), and mixed CMBs (14.5% versus 5.3%, P < .01) than those without CKD. After adjusting for age and other confounding factors, CKD was found to be independently associated with the presence of any form of CMB (odds ratio 1.89, P = .02) and mixed CMBs (odds ratio 3.10, P < .01). Moreover, moderate to severe CKD (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m²) was independently associated with the presence of multiple CMBs (odds ratio 2.31, P = .04). Conclusions: CMBs and CKD are common in acute ischemic stroke patients with AF, and CKD may be a risk factor for CMBs. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether maintaining kidney function can prevent the development of CMBs.     

缺血性脑卒中合并脑微出血的危险因素

目的研究缺血性脑卒中患者脑微出血的临床、影像学及血清生物学的危险因素,以及不同部位微出血与危险因素之间的关系。方法回顾性分析纳入153例缺血性脑卒中患者,应用磁敏感成像(susceptibility weighted imaging,SWI)技术检测脑微出血,计数并记录其部位。颅脑MRI的脑白质病变的严重程度采用Fazekas评分进行评估。应用Logistic回归分析法研究缺血性脑卒中合并脑微出血的危险因素,并研究危险因素与不同部位脑微出血数量的关系。结果 59例(38.6%)患者存在CMBs。皮层-皮层下CMBs出现率为34.0%,深部CMBs为24.8%,幕下CMBs为27.5%。多因素Logistic回归显示,男性、高血压病及中重度深部脑白质病变是伴有CMBs的有显著统计学意义的相关因素(P0.05)。校正年龄及性别后,偏相关分析显示,高血压病仅与深部CMBs的数量仍然显著相关(r=0.174,P=0.032)。中重度深部脑白质病变与皮层-皮层下CMBs及深部CMBs数量存在显著相关(r=0.285,P0.001,r=0.258,P=0.001)。结论男性、高血压病及中重度深部白质病变为脑微出血的危险因素;高血压病主要与与脑深部微出血的数量相关,而中重度深部脑白质病变与脑皮层-皮层下及深部微出血数量相关。     

Cerebral microbleeds in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are known to be associated with cognitive impairments in the elderly and in patients with various diseases; however, the nature of this association has not yet been evaluated in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we analyzed the incidence of CMBs in PD according to cognitive status, and the impact of CMBs on cognitive performance was also evaluated. The CMBs in PD with dementia (n = 36), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 46), or cognitively normal (n = 41) were analyzed using conventional T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo images. Additionally, the relationship between the presence of CMBs and cognitive performance on individual tests of cognitive subdomains was analyzed using a detailed neuropsychological test. CMBs occurred more frequently in PD patients with dementia (36.1 %) compared to those with MCI (15.2 %), those who are cognitively normal (14.6 %), and normal controls (12.2 %, p = 0.025). However, the significant association of CMBs with PD dementia disappeared after adjusting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) as a covariate. The frequencies of deep, lobar, and infratentorial CMBs did not differ among the four groups. After adjusting for age, sex, years of education, and WMHs, PD patients with CMBs had poorer performance in attention domain compared with those without CMBs (34.9 vs 42.6, p = 0.018). The present data demonstrate that even though CMBs were inseparably associated with the presence of WMHs, CMBs occur more commonly in PD patients with dementia than in those without dementia. Additionally, the burden of CMBs may contribute to further cognitive impairment in PD.     

Association of obesity with cerebral microbleeds in neurologically asymptomatic elderly subjects

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but few studies have investigated the effects of obesity on subclinical cerebrovascular disease. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are radiological markers of cerebral small vessel disease and reflect underlying vasculopathy. In this context, we assessed whether obesity was related to CMBs and to CMB subtypes categorized by location. Neurologically asymptomatic elderly subjects (n?=?1,251; age????65?years) who visited for routine health check-ups were included in this study. Cerebral microbleeds were evaluated through T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo MRI. The subjects were categorized into two groups depending on CMB location: strictly lobar and deep or infratentorial microbleeds. Body mass index was calculated, and obesity was defined using the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office criteria. A total of 120 (9.6?%) subjects were found to have CMBs. As the severity of obesity increased, the prevalence of CMBs increased. Compared with the normal weight group and after controlling possible confounders, the risk of deep or infratentorial microbleeds was significantly increased in the overweight group [odds ratio (OR) 2.32, 95?% confidence interval (CI) 1.19?C4.53], and the obese group (OR 2.17, 95?% CI 1.14?C4.13). However, the ORs for the strictly lobar microbleeds were not increased in either the overweight or obese groups. Obesity was associated with deep or infratentorial microbleeds. This finding suggests that obesity affects cerebral small vessels through arteriosclerotic vasculopathy. Based on our findings, we postulate that obesity is associated with the presence of subclinical and bleeding-prone cerebrovascular disease in the elderly.     

缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血相关因素及其对抗血小板单药治疗的影响分析

目的 研究缺血性脑血管病患者脑微出血（CMB）危险因素及其对抗血小板单药治疗的影响。方法 选取2018年1月至2018年6月该院神经内科接受抗血小板单药治疗的急性缺血性脑血管病患者300例为样本,入院后采集基本资料并完善相关检查,根据梯度回波T2^*加权成像（GRE-T2^*WI）检查结果将患者分为CMB组（176例）和非CMB组（124例）,均给予抗血小板聚集治疗,比较两组临床资料及治疗1年内再发梗死、脑出血和病死率,分析影响CMB发病的危险因素以及CMB对抗血小板单药治疗的影响。结果 高龄、高血压、肥胖、脑卒中病史、ACI和脑白质疏松为CMB发生的危险因素（P<0.05）。CMB组和非CMB组抗血小板单药治疗期间脑出血率分别为14.20%和6.45%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。轻度组、中度组和重度组脑出血率分别为9.18%、10.64%和35.48%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。不同部位CMB患者抗血小板单药治疗期间再发脑梗死、脑出血及病死率比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 高龄、高血压、肥胖、脑卒中病史、ACI及脑白质疏松为缺血性脑血管疾病合并CMB的危险因素。CMB可导致抗血小板单药治疗期间脑出血风险增加,重度CMB者更甚。     

Cerebral microbleeds and quality of life in acute ischemic stroke

This study evaluated the impact of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 458 Chinese patients with first or recurrent acute ischemic stroke. HRQoL was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Univariate analysis showed the presence of lobar CMBs to be negatively correlated with patients’ physical functioning (PF; p < 0.01), social function (SF; p < 0.01), and role-emotional (RE; p < 0.05) scores. Subsequent linear regression analysis revealed lobar CMBs to be independently associated with the PF and SF scores (p < 0.05). The limitations of this study include the exclusion of patients with more severe stroke, the lack of longitudinal assessments, the use of a generic rather than stroke-specific HRQoL scale, and the less than optimal sensitivity of the CMB measurement. The study findings suggest that CMBs have a significant impact on the HRQoL of stroke survivors.     

Impaired renal function is related to deep and mixed,but not strictly lobar cerebral microbleeds in patients with ischaemic stroke and TIA

The vasculature of the brain and kidneys are similarly vulnerable to hypertension, so their microvascular damage may be correlated. We investigated the relationship of renal function to the anatomical distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), a marker of underlying cerebral small vessel disease (hypertensive arteriopathy or cerebral amyloid angiopathy), in a Western patient cohort. This was a retrospective study of referrals to a hospital stroke service. All patients with clinical data and a T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo (T2*-GRE) MRI were included. MRI scans were rated for CMBs using the Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale. Renal function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. We included 202 patients, 39 with CMBs (19.3 %); 15 had “strictly lobar”, 12 had “strictly deep” and 12 had “mixed” CMBs. Patients without CMBs had a higher eGFR than those with CMBs (mean difference 6.50 ml/min/1.73 m², 95 % CI ?14.73 to 1.72 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.121). Multivariable analysis found that those with deep and mixed CMBs had a lower eGFR than those without CMBs (mean difference ?10.70 ml/min/1.73 m², 95 % CI ?20.35 to ?1.06 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.030). There was no difference in eGFR found between those with strictly lobar CMBs and those without CMBs (mean difference ?1.59 ml/min/1.73 m², 95 % CI ?13.08 to 9.89 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.79). In a Western patient cohort, there appears to be an association between eGFR and the presence of deep and mixed CMBs, but not strictly lobar CMBs. This suggests a shared vulnerability of renal afferent and cerebral deep and superficial perforating arterioles to systemic hypertension. The arteriopathy underlying strictly lobar CMBs (i.e. cerebral amyloid angiopathy), appears to be less related to renal impairment.     

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of cortical superficial siderosis in patients with acute stroke

Cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) is a pathologic and radiologic diagnosis of hemosiderin deposition in subpial brain layers. However, cSS has not been fully studied in patients with acute stroke. Here, we investigated the prevalence of cSS in patients with acute stroke and analyzed the relationship between cSS and different clinical and neuroimaging characteristics. From September 2014 through June 2016, consecutive patients with acute stroke who were admitted to our department were retrospectively investigated. We analyzed the prevalence of cSS and the associations between cSS and risk factors, the topographic distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and the severity of white matter lesions (WMLs). In total, 739 patients (589 patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic stroke [IS/TIA] and 150 with intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]; mean age, 71.4 years) were enrolled. We identified cSS in six (1.0%) patients with IS/TIA and seven (4.7%) patients with ICH. The presence of cSS was associated with ICH (P < 0.0001), WMLs (P = 0.0105), and lobar and non-lobar CMBs (both P < 0.0001); no associations between cSS and age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, IS subtype classification, or antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy were found. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, high numbers of lobar CMBs (≥ 2; odds ratio, 11.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.03–205.40; P = 0.0029) were independently associated with cSS. Furthermore, cSS was often located near lobar CMBs. Our results suggest that cSS is prevalent in ICH and is independently associated with lobar CMBs; however, no associations between cSS and other risk factors or comorbidities were observed.     

Three-tesla magnetic resonance imaging study of cerebral microbleeds in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were to analyse the distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with ischemic stroke and study the relationship between CMBs and the severity of old lacunar infarcts and cerebral white matter changes.

Methods: The study population consisted of 247 consecutive inpatients with ischemic stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of these inpatients were observed. CMBs were counted respectively according to their locations, including the corticosubcortical regions, basal ganglia, thalami, brainstem and cerebellum. The number of the old lacunes and the severity of the cerebral white matter changes were also recorded. Based on the occurrence of CMBs, the patients were divided into two groups (72 patients with CMBs; 175 patients without CMBs).

Results: The most common location of CMBs in patients with ischemic stroke was the basal ganglia, followed by the corticosubcortical region, the thalami, the brainstem and the cerebellum. The severity of CMBs was closely correlated with the severity of lacunar infarcts and cerebral white matter changes, respectively.

Discussion: CMBs are closely related with cerebral microangiopathy and may be a marker of advanced stage cerebral microangiopathy.     

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cerebral Microbleeds in Egyptian Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation

BackgroundFew studies addressed the prevalence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and associated risk factor profile in Egyptian ischemic cerebral stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsThe prevalence of CMB was estimated in 150 cases of AF ischemic stroke patients and compared to the prevalence in 150 age- and sex-matched controls of ischemic stroke patients without AF. CMB-associated risk factors were identified by comparing AF ischemic stroke patients with and without CMB. All participants were subjected to complete general, neurological examination, and magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsThe prevalence of CMBs in ischemic stroke with and without AF was 40.7% and 49.3%, respectively. Age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, past history of stroke, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, CHA₂DS₂VASc, and white matter lesions (WML) were significant risk factors associated with CMB on univariate analysis. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.13), hypertension (OR 3.2, CI 1.19-8.81), anticoagulant (OR 3.3, CI 1.17-9.40), and WML (OR 9.6, CI 3.49-26.3) were the only independent risk factors associated with the presence of CMBs.ConclusionsAF in ischemic stroke patients was not associated with higher prevalence of CMBs. Old age, hypertension, anticoagulant treatment, and WML were the independent risk factors associated with CMB in AF ischemic stroke patients. Our results suggest that elderly hypertensive AF ischemic stroke patients maintained on anticoagulant therapy should be screened for the incidence of CMBs and monitored regularly for the development of intracerebral hemorrhage.     

缺血性脑卒中合并脑微出血的相关危险因素分析及SWAN的临床检测价值

目的 探寻缺血性脑卒中患者合并脑微出血(CMBs)与相关危险因素的关系及SWAN序列的临床检测价值。方法 选取本院2013年4月～2015年4月连续收治常规MRI检查确诊的155例缺血性脑卒中患者,根据磁敏感加权成像上有无微出血灶分为CMBs组(76例)和无CMBs组(79例)。比较2组患者的年龄、性别、吸烟史、饮酒史等以及有无高血压病、糖尿病、高脂血症、脑出血等临床相关因素,并记录相关生化指标。对以上因素进行相关性分析,筛选出与CMBs相关的危险因素。记录各危险因素组常规MRI及SWAN序列对CMBs的检出例数。结果 155例缺血性脑卒中患者中有CMBs者76例(占49%),多发生于皮质-皮质下区(占36%); CMBs的发生与年龄、饮酒史、糖尿病及高超敏C反应蛋白水平有关; 多因素Logistic回归显示高血压病、高脂血症、脑白质疏松、脑出血及高纤维蛋白原、高同型半胱氨酸是其独立危险因素(P<0.05); SWAN序列对各危险因素组CMBs阳性检出率明显高于常规MRI序列(P<0.001)。结论 缺血性脑卒中患者伴有高血压病、高脂血症、脑白质疏松、脑出血及高纤维蛋白原、高同型半胱氨酸与CMBs发生密切相关; 对于缺血性脑卒中合并上述高危因素者,可考虑将SWAN列入常规MRI检查以筛查CMBs病灶和评价患者有无出血倾向。     

New cerebral microbleeds in ischemic stroke patients on warfarin treatment: Two-year follow-up

Objective

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are known to be indicative of bleeding-prone microangiopathy. Little is known about the significance of CMBs in anticoagulated patients. We determined the frequency of new CMBs in ischemic stroke patients who had been receiving warfarin treatment for 2 years.

Methods

A total of 204 ischemic stroke patients on warfarin therapy for 2 years underwent a repeat MRI. We compared demographic features, vascular risk factors, and radiological findings of patients with and without new CMBs.

Results

New CMBs on gradient-echo MRI were found in 29 of 204 patients (10%). Of 35 patients who had CMBs in the original study, 9 developed new CMBs after 2 years (26%), compared with 20 of the 169 patients (12%) who did not have CMBs at baseline (p = 0.03). Patients with new CMBs were older than patients without CMBs (p = 0.04), and the frequency of leukoaraiosis was significantly higher (p = 0.02). The mean duration of warfarin treatment was not significantly different between the patients with and without new CMBs (p = 0.28).

Conclusion

This longitudinal study suggested that the presence of CMBs at baseline increased the frequency of new CMBs in patients on warfarin therapy.     

Homocysteinemia is Associated with the Presence of Microbleeds in Cognitively Impaired Patients

Background & ObjectiveHomocysteine is possibly associated with cerebral small vessel diseases such as leukoaraiosis, silent brain infarction and cerebral microbleeds, which are in turn associated with cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to examine the relationships between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and cognitive function.MethodsA total of 819 patients with memory disturbance who visited a dementia clinic consecutively were included in this study. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical and laboratory data including tHcy level, MTHFR C677T polymorphism and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All patients underwent brain MRI including fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image and T2*-weighed gradient-echo (GRE) image. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between risk factors and the presence of microbleeds.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-one (19.7%) patients had CMBs, of whom 88 (54.7%) had CMBs in the lobar region. CMBs were more common in older hypertensive male patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. In multivariable analysis, plasma tHcy remained an independent predictor of the presence of CMBs after adjusting other confounders (OR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.009-1.062, p = 0.009). Higher plasma tHcy level was also associated with number of CMBs, TT MTHFR genotype, and lower MMSE scores.ConclusionsElevated plasma tHcy level is related to high prevalence of CMBs and cognitive dysfunction. Lowering plasma tHcy could be helpful in cognitively impaired patients who have CMBs or the MTHFR TT genotype.     

社区人群脑微出血与基底节区核团体积的相关性研究

目的 探讨社区人群中脑微出血的部位及负荷与基底节区核团体积的相关性.方法 2013年6月-2016年4月在北京市顺义区5个村进行脑血管病流行病学调查,采集受试者人口学信息、脑血管病危险因素,通过3T MRI采集全脑体积,并自动分割提取基底节区黑质核团(尾状核、苍白球、壳核、丘脑)体积,同时由神经科医师评估脑微出血负荷及...     

Impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation is associated with the severity of neuroimaging features of cerebral small vessel disease

AimsCerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is characterized by functional and structural changes in small vessels. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) and neuroimaging characteristics of CSVD.MethodsA case‐control study was performed. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) of bilateral middle cerebral arteries and spontaneous arterial blood pressure were simultaneously recorded. Transfer function analysis was used to calculate dCA parameters (phase, gain, and the rate of recovery of CBFV [RoRc]). Neuroimaging characteristics of CSVD patients were evaluated, including lacunes, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), perivascular spaces (PVS), and the total CSVD burden.ResultsOverall, 113 patients and 83 controls were enrolled. Compared with the control group, the phase at low frequency and the RoRc in CSVD patients were lower, and the gain at very low and low frequencies were higher, indicating bilaterally impaired dCA. Total CSVD burden, WMH (total, periventricular and deep), severe PVS, and lobar CMBs were independently correlated with the phase at low frequency.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that dCA was compromised in CSVD patients, and some specific neuroimaging characteristics (the total CSVD burden, WMH, severe PVS and lobar CMBs) might indicate more severe dCA impairment in CSVD patients.     

Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cerebral small vessel disease

BackgroundCerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is associated with increased risk of cerebral infarction and hemorrhage. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between cerebral SVD and severity of OSA.MethodsA total of 170 patients were included from the patient registry at the present Sleep Center; these patients underwent both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and polysomnography (PSG) for suspected OSA. The presence and burden of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), asymptomatic lacunar infarctions (ALIs), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and perivascular spaces (PVSs) were determined by MRI, and their relationships with the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), as determined by PSG, were investigated.ResultsAmong the 170 patients, 25 (14.7%) had high-grade WMHs, 21 (12.4%) had ALIs, 21 (12.4%) had CMBs, and 34 (20.0%) had high-grade PVSs. In the multivariable analysis, after adjusting for factors including age, sex, and other variables for which p <0.1 in univariable analysis (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, minimal SaO₂ and arousal index), moderate-to-severe OSA was associated with high-grade WMHs (odds ratio [OR] 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–19.47), CMBs (OR 3.47; 95% CI 0.89–15.18), or high-grade PVSs (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.02–13.01), but not with ALIs. The total SVD score was independently associated with increased AHI (p = 0.017), particularly in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (β [standard error] = 0.448 (0.204), p = 0.030].ConclusionModerate-to-severe OSA is positively associated with multiple indicators of cerebral SVD, including WMHs, CMBs, and PVSs.     

Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases and Sleep Related Strokes

Background and Purpose: Sleep related Stroke (SRS) is common and has been associated with cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD) in ischemic strokes (ISs). We tested the hypothesis that SRS is associated with SVD in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Methods: Prospectively collected data from patients consecutively enrolled after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) related to SVD or after IS were analyzed. Symptom onset was recorded as SRS versus awake. Each ICH was grouped according to lobar and deep locations. The IS cohort was etiologically characterized based on the Causative Classification of Stroke system. Frequencies of SRS within and between ICH and IS cohorts as well as its associations (etiology, risk factors) were analyzed. Results: We analyzed 1812 IS (mean age 67.9 years ± 15.9 years, 46.4% female) and 1038 ICH patients (mean age 72.5 years ± 13.0 years, 45.4% female). SRS was significantly more common among SVD-related ICH patients (n = 276, 26.6%) when compared to all IS (n = 363, 20.0%, P < .001) and in both, small artery occlusion (SAO) related IS and lobar ICH within the respective IS and ICH cohorts (16.3% SRS versus 9.1% awake for SAO within all IS, P < .001; and 57.1% SRS versus 47.7% awake for lobar bleeds within all ICH, P = .008). These associations remained significant after controlling for age, sex and risk factors. Conclusions: SRS was associated with SVD. The SAO etiology and cerebral amyloid angiopathy related lobar ICH suggest that the presence of SVD can interact with sleep or arousal related hemodynamic changes to cause ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.