Large-dose infusions of heparinoid ORG 10172 in ischemic stroke

We evaluated the safety and possible efficacy of large doses of the heparinoid ORG 10172 in 57 patients with acute or progressing ischemic stroke. Patients received a loading bolus of the drug followed by a maintenance intravenous infusion for 7 days. The plasma level of ORG 10172 was monitored by the degree of inhibition of coagulation factor Xa. In general, the drug was well tolerated and few hemorrhagic complications occurred. Two patients with large cardioembolic hemispheric strokes had intracranial hemorrhagic complications. Most patients improved during treatment. By 3 months after the stroke, 37 patients (65%) had a favorable outcome (minimal or no residual disability). This study suggests that high-dose intravenous infusions of ORG 10172 can be safely given to patients with acute ischemic stroke.     

Differences between anterior and posterior circulation stroke in TOAST

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinicians have tended to view anterior circulation (AC) and posterior circulation (PC) strokes as separate entities, with different underlying pathogenesis, natural histories, and potential responsiveness to interventions such as anticoagulation. We sought to explore differences between AC and PC stroke in the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST). METHODS: For patients enrolled in TOAST, prospective clinical information was collected including outcome at 3 months. Data on vascular distribution were obtained from the clinical impression of the investigators. Group comparisons for categorical data were performed using Fisher's exact test. Independent sample t tests and analysis of covariance were used for all continuous data. RESULTS: The analysis included 1,039 patients with AC stroke and 180 patients with PC stroke. There were fewer women in the PC than in the AC groups, but otherwise there were no differences in demographics, risk factors or stroke subtypes between the two groups. Headache (AC 8.7%, PC 15%, p = 0.013) and vomiting (AC 3.5%, PC 17.8%, p < 0.001) were more common among PC patients. Mean baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was lower (less severe) among PC (6.1) than AC patients (9.5; p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, favorable outcome at 3 months was more common for PC patients in both the placebo group (PC 82%, AC 71%, p = 0.04) and heparinoid group (PC 87%, AC 73%, p = 0.005). However, multivariate analysis, controlling for gender, history of previous stroke and baseline NIHSS score, showed no difference in outcome between PC and AC stroke. For favorable outcome, there was no interaction between vascular distribution and treatment category, suggesting that the effect of heparinoid did not differ between PC and AC strokes. CONCLUSION: Patients with PC stroke seem to have a better long-term outcome than do AC patients, but this difference is no longer apparent when controlling for important prognostic variables. PC patients did not show any particular benefit from anticoagulation, and the efficacy of heparinoid did not vary between AC and PC stroke. While AC and PC patients do differ in some respects, it may be inappropriate to single out PC patients for anticoagulant treatment.     

Distribution of etiologies in patients above and below age 45 with first-ever ischemic stroke

Background –  There is limited information about distribution of etiologies of ischemic stroke in different age groups.
Materials and methods –  In this study, we applied the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification in 87 patients aged ≤45, and in 347 patients aged 46–60 years with first-ever ischemic stroke in order to follow the distribution of stroke etiologies in different age groups.
Results –  Traditional risk factors, except smoking and atrial fibrillation, were more frequent in older patients. The most frequent etiologies in the younger stroke patients (aged ≤45) were 'other' than routine causes (26.4%), cardioembolism (22.4%) and 'idiopathic' strokes (20.7%), when no cause was found. In older patients (aged 46–60), small vessel disease (25.1%) and cardioembolism (22.2%) were the most frequent etiologies of stroke.
Conclusions –  In stroke patients below the age of 45, the TOAST classification should be expanded to better classify the wide diversity of stroke etiologies. The relatively low frequency of routine stroke etiologies in patients aged ≤45 can be explained by the significantly lower prevalence of traditional risk factors in these patients. In patients 46–60 years old, the TOAST classification is adequate in the characterization of ischemic stroke etiologies.     

Blood pressure as an independent prognostic factor in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood pressure is elevated in most patients during acute ischemic stroke, but the prognostic significance of this is unclear as the current data yield conflicting results. METHODS: Admission blood pressure from the 1281 patients in the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) was analyzed for prognostic significance as well as the risk of hemorrhagic transformation. We also examined weighted-average blood pressure over seven days, and the impact of a 30% change in blood pressure in 24 hours. Patients with severe hypertension were excluded from the TOAST trial. RESULTS: Increasing systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission, but not diastolic (DBP) or mean arterial pressure (MAP) was predictive of poor outcome, but this effect was not significant after adjustment for other know prognostic factors. Increasing weighted-average SBP and MAP over seven days were predictive for poor outcome, but a 30% change in blood pressure over 24 hours was not. CONCLUSIONS: Admission blood pressure is not an independent prognostic factor in acute ischemic stroke, but the weighted-average of SBP and MAP over seven days probably does have predictive value with higher values having a worse prognosis. A prospective trial of blood pressure control during acute stroke is needed.     

Baseline NIH Stroke Scale score strongly predicts outcome after stroke: A report of the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) stroke subtype as predictors of outcomes at 7 days and 3 months after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Using data collected from 1,281 patients enrolled in a clinical trial, subtype of stroke was categorized using the TOAST classification, and neurologic impairment at baseline was quantified using the NIHSS. Outcomes were assessed at 7 days and 3 months using the Barthel Index (BI) and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). An outcome was rated as excellent if the GOS score was 1 and the BI was 19 or 20 (scale of 0 to 20). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race, and history of previous stroke. RESULTS: The baseline NIHSS score strongly predicted outcome, with one additional point on the NIHSS decreasing the likelihood of excellent outcomes at 7 days by 24% and at 3 months by 17%. At 3 months, excellent outcomes were noted in 46% of patients with NIHSS scores of 7 to 10 and in 23% of patients with scores of 11 to 15. After multivariate adjustment, lacunar stroke had an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.5 to 6.4) for an excellent outcome at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The NIHSS score strongly predicts the likelihood of a patient's recovery after stroke. A score of > or =16 forecasts a high probability of death or severe disability whereas a score of < or =6 forecasts a good recovery. Only the TOAST subtype of lacunar stroke predicts outcomes independent of the NIHSS score.     

Association of ischemic lesion patterns on early diffusion-weighted imaging with TOAST stroke subtypes

BACKGROUND: Different topographic patterns in patients who experience an acute ischemic stroke may be related to specific stroke causes. OBJECTIVE: To determine if lesion patterns on early diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) are associated with stroke subtypes determined by the TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) classification. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: General community hospital.Patients We studied 172 consecutive ischemic stroke patients with a symptomatic lesion on DWI performed within 24 hours of stroke onset. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lesion patterns on DWI were classified into single lesions (corticosubcortical, cortical, subcortical > or =15 mm, or subcortical <15 mm), scattered lesions in one vascular territory (small scattered lesions or confluent with additional lesions), and multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories (in the unilateral anterior circulation, in the posterior circulation, in bilateral anterior circulations, or in anterior and posterior circulations). RESULTS: We found an overall significant relationship between DWI lesion patterns and TOAST stroke subtypes (P<.001). Corticosubcortical single lesions (P =.01), multiple lesions in anterior and posterior circulations (P =.03), and multiple lesions in multiple cerebral circulations (P =.008) were associated with cardioembolism. Multiple lesions in the unilateral anterior circulation (P =.04) and small scattered lesions in one vascular territory (P =.06) were related to large-artery atherosclerosis. Nearly half (11/23) of the patients with a single subcortical lesion that was 15 mm or larger were classified as having cryptogenic strokes (P =.001), although 9 of these patients had a classic lacunar syndrome without cortical hypoperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Early DWI lesion patterns are associated with specific stroke causes. Conventional 15-mm criteria for lacunes, however, may underestimate the diagnosis of small-vessel occlusion with DWI.     

Ischaemic stroke in young adults: predictors of outcome and recurrence

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about predictors of outcome and recurrence of ischaemic stroke affecting young adults. OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of the presenting characteristics for both outcome and recurrence in young stroke victims. METHODS: Clinical and radiological data for 203 patients aged 16 to 45 years were collected prospectively; they comprised 11% of 1809 consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke. The National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the Bamford criteria, and the trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) classification were used to define stroke severity, subtype, and aetiology. The clinical outcome of 198 patients (98%) was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and categorised as favourable (score 0-1) or unfavourable (score 2-6). RESULTS: Stroke was caused by atherosclerotic large artery disease in 4%, cardioembolism in 24%, small vessel disease in 9%, another determined aetiology in 30%, and undetermined aetiology in 33%. Clinical outcome at three months was favourable in 68%, unfavourable in 29%, and lethal in 3%. Thirteen non-fatal stroke, two fatal strokes, and six transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) occurred during a mean (SD) follow up of 26 (17) months. High NIHSS score, total anterior circulation stroke, and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of unfavourable outcome or death (p<0.0001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.023). History of TIA predicted stroke recurrence (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Severe neurological deficits at presentation, total anterior circulation stroke, and diabetes mellitus predict unfavourable outcome. Previous TIA are associated with increased risk of recurrence.     

Circadian variation in ischemic stroke subtypes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While previous studies suggest that the peak time period for the occurrence of ischemic stroke is in the mid- to late-morning hours, detailed information pertaining to circadian variations among the various stroke subtypes has been limited. The purpose of our study was to define the circadian patterns of symptom onset in an acute stroke trial with an established system for stroke subtype classification. METHODS: An analysis was conducted on 1272 patients enrolled in the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) study. All patients had a documented time of stroke symptom onset, and all stroke subtype determinations were made by a single rater. RESULTS: The Greatest portion of atherothrombotic strokes (25.7%), cardioembolic strokes (30.5%), and strokes of other/unknown mechanism (27.1%) occurred between 6:01 AM and 12:00 noon. The greatest portion of lacunar strokes (31.6%) were present on awakening. More than one half of the infarcts in this series were either present on awakening or occurred in the mid- to late-morning hours. The correlation between stroke subtype and time of symptom onset did not reach statistical significance (P=0.07, Pearson's chi(2) method). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a trend for clustering of ischemic stroke in the morning hours, there is insufficient specificity to predict with any reasonable likelihood the stroke subtype according to the circadian pattern of symptom onset.     

Differential diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke and management on the basis of acute ischemic stroke subtype]

Recent advances in neuro-imaging technology assist early clinical diagnosis for ischemic stroke subtype. The precise early diagnosis for stroke subtype plays an important role for the management in patients with acute cerebral infarction. The differential diagnosis is made according to the algorithm in the modified the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification, with reference to the results of diffusion-weighted MRI and MRA. Artery-to-artery embolism and branch atheromatus disease are diagnosed as atherothrombotic infarction according to this algorithm. Thrombolytic therapy is recommended in cardioembolic stroke within 3 hours after onset. The anticoagulant therapy with heparin is often used to prevent the recurrence for thrombosis in acute cardioemboic infarction. The selective thrombin inhibitor has recently been used in the treatment of acute atherothrombotic infarction. The antiplatelet therapy with aspirin is recommended in acute atherothrombotic infarction and lacunar infarction. The sodium ozagrel is recommended in the treatment of acute lacunar infarction. The treatment of acute ischemic stroke should be managed according to Japanese Guidelines for the management of stroke (2004).     

青年缺血性卒中患者危险因素分析

目的探讨国人青年缺血性卒中患者的病因学及危险因素。方法以2002年1月至2007年6月期间入住河北医科大学第三医院神经内科的青年缺血性脑卒中患者作为研究对象,依据改良的TOAST病因分型法作为分型标准确定患者的卒中亚型,并分别计算各缺血性卒中危险因素的构成比。结果本组患者改良的TOAST亚型构成比例为动脉粥样硬化脑梗死型44.12%,小动脉病变型30.39%,心源性栓塞型6.86%,其它病因明确型5.88%,不明病因型12.75%;青年缺血性卒中患者危险因素构成比由高到低分别为高血压病69.61%、吸烟58.82%、高脂血症43.14%、饮酒39.22%、脑血管病家族史24.51%、糖尿病20.59%。结论国人青年缺血性卒中患者中动脉粥样硬化脑梗死型和小动脉病变型仍占较大比例;高血压病、吸烟、高脂血症及饮酒是青年型缺血性卒中的主要危险因素。     

Diagnostic impact of early transcranial Doppler ultrasonography on the TOAST classification subtype in acute cerebral ischemia

OBJECTIVE: The impact of early transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) upon stroke subtype diagnosis is unknown and may affect therapeutic strategies. In this study, the diagnostic usefulness of TCD in stroke subtype diagnosis according to the criteria of the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) study was investigated in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. METHODS: TCD examination within 24 h of symptom onset was performed in 50 consecutive patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Of these 54% were female. Sixty percent of patients were black, 36% white, and 4% Asian. Initial TOAST stroke subtype diagnosis (ITSSD) was based upon clinical presentation and initial brain imaging studies. Modified TOAST stroke subtype diagnosis was determined subsequently after additional review of the TCD examination. Final TOAST stroke subtype diagnosis was determined at hospital discharge, incorporating all diagnostic studies. Using final TOAST stroke subtype diagnosis as the 'gold standard' ITSSD and modified TOAST stroke subtype diagnosis were compared in order to determine additional benefit from the information obtained by TCD. Data were collected retrospectively by a single investigator. RESULTS: ITSSD classified 23 of 50 (46%) patients correctly. After TCD, 30 of 50 (60%) patients were classified correctly, for an absolute benefit of 14% and a relative benefit of 30% (p = 0.018). Most benefit from TCD was observed in the TOAST stroke subtype category large-artery atherosclerosis, in particular in patients with intracranial vascular disease. In this category, ITSSD had a sensitivity of 27% which increased to 64% after TCD (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: TCD within 24 h of symptom onset improves the accuracy of early stroke subtype diagnosis in patients with acute cerebral ischemia due to large-artery atherosclerosis. This may have clinical implications for early therapeutic interventions.     

Racial differences in ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Purpose: To evaluate racial differences in extracranial carotid atherosclerosis and vascular risk factors in patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. Background: There are conflicting data on racial differences in certain vascular risk factors and prevalence of large-vessel versus small-vessel disease in patients with stroke. Methods: We prospectively studied 211 consecutive patients admitted to our stroke service. There were 71 African-American, 114 Caucasian, 20 Hispanic, and 6 other patients. Extracranial vascular stenosis was assessed with a carotid duplex (CD) scan. Risk factors monitored included race, age, history of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), prior stroke, hyperlipidemia, smoking, cardiac disease (congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation), and family history of stroke. Cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels, and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging results were obtained in most cases. Results: Significant differences were found between Caucasians and African-Americans in several variables. Caucasians had more frequent hypertriglyceridemia and a higher rate of cardiac disease. African-Americans had more frequent lacunar infarcts. There was a trend toward decreased risk of CD scan abnormality, and more HTN and prior stroke in African-Americans. There were no differences in the presence of DM, both HTN and DM, abnormal cholesterol (including high- and low-density lipoprotein) values, and smoking history. Except for the difference in lacunar infarction, there were no differences in the type of stroke. Conclusions: Our data indicate a greater risk of cardiac disease and hypertriglyceridemia in Caucasians with cerebrovascular disease. There was a trend for Caucasians to have more extracranial carotid disease, and a trend for African-Americans to have more hypertension and prior stroke, although the difference did not reach significance. Consistent with prior racial studies, we found African-Americans to have more lacunar strokes than Caucasians.     

Ischemic stroke subtypes: risk factors, functional outcome and recurrence

The etiology of ischemic stroke affects its prognosis, outcome and management. Our aims were to determine risk factors, clinical and imaging variables and prognostic differences in acute ischemic stroke subtypes. In this study, we prospectively investigated 264 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke between 1996 and 2000. All of the patients were categorized to one of four major ischemic stroke subtype based on TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria. The mean age was greater in patients with stroke of undetermined etiology (SUE). Prevalence of hypertension was higher in patients with lacunar infarct (LAC) than other subtypes. Smoking was less frequent in patients with cardioembolism (CARD). The mean infarct size was largest in patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) while there were no differences in location or conversion of the infarct into hemorrhage. The proportion of the patients with milder neurological deficits at entry was higher in patients with LAC subtype. The rate of independent patients were different between subtypes: 62% in LAC, 43% in CARD, 38% in SUE, 35% in LAA at discharge (p=0.01), and 91% in LAC, 69% in CARD, 59% in SUE, 60% in LAA at 6 months (p<0.001). Recurrence rates were not different between groups. We conclude that risk factors, clinical imaging variables are different among ischemic stroke subtypes and that neurological status on admission and during follow-up strongly favors LAC. Received: 20 June 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 30 October 2001     

Association of lacunar infarcts with small artery and large artery disease: a comparative study

OBJECTIVES: Patients with lacunar infarcts (LI) and ipsilateral large artery disease (LAD) greater than 50% must be classified according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria as strokes of undetermined etiology. The purpose of this study was to compare the vascular risk factors, clinical symptoms, and outcome characteristics of LI associated with LAD with those patients with LI who fulfilled the TOAST criteria of small artery disease (SAD). METHODS: Among 1754 consecutive first ever stroke patients admitted to our department, we analyzed age, gender, vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, arterial peripheral disease, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol, or illicit drug use), clinical data (motor or sensitive deficit and presence of dysarthria), and outcome (hospitalization length, in-hospital medical complications rate, need of rehabilitation, treatment at discharge, in-hospital mortality, and modified Rankin Scale at discharge) of those patients classified as LI associated with LAD as compared with those with SAD. RESULTS: After a strict application of the TOAST criteria, we found 144 patients with LI associated with SAD and 73 patients with LI associated with LAD. Univariate analysis showed statistical differences in gender (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23-0.89; P = 0.014), past history of ischemic heart disease (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.13-0.78; P = 0.004), and smoking (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.31-1.04; P = 0.048). After logistic regression analysis only ischemic heart disease (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11-0.78; P = 0.013), and gender (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28-0.98; P = 0.05) showed statistical differences. During the follow-up, six patients (all with LI associated with LAD) experienced stroke recurrences (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.26-0.39; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 1) There are no differences in clinical presentation and in-hospital outcome between patients with LI associated with SAD and patients with LI associated with LAD. 2) Risk factors are very similar in both groups, and the only differences observed (gender and ischemic heart disease) are related to the atherosclerotic factor. 3) Stroke recurrence seems to be more frequent in LI associated with LAD than in LI associated with SAD, but large follow-up studies are needed to be able to decide whether clinical recurrence of stroke allows to differentiate both clinical entities.     

Atherothrombotic ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES: About one in five patients with atrial fibrillation have significant carotid artery disease, but not all strokes are cardioembolic in origin in these patients. PURPOSE: We investigated stroke sub-types based mainly on clinical, carotid ultrasonographic, and neuroimaging findings in ischemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The etiology of stroke was classified as definite or probable cardioembolic, possible lacunar, or possible atherothrombotic, as proposed by Hart et al. and the TOAST criteria. Clinical features and risk factors (gender, age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption) were designated as clinical variables. RESULTS: One hundred and six of 1938 patients (5.5%) had NVAF. In patients with and without NVAF, hyperlipidemia was more common in patients without NVAF (p<0.001), while the prevalence of other risk factors was not statistically different. On the basis of the TOAST criteria, none of the patients with NVAF could be classified as having had an atherothrombotic stroke. According to the classification by Hart et al., of the patients with NVAF, 49 patients (46.3%) had a definite embolic stroke, 17 (16.0%) had a probable embolic stroke, 12 (11.3%) had a possible atherothrombotic stroke, 17 (16.0%) had a possible lacunar infarction, and 11 (10.4%) had a stroke of undetermined etiology. Besides the presence of significant carotid stenosis (p<0.001), none of the variables related to stroke were different among the sub-groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with significant carotid stenosis were more likely to develop atherothrombotic stroke, while other risk factors associated with stroke failed to point to an etiologic cause. It should also be emphasized that the conventional classification system failed to aid in the correct diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with multiple confounding risk factors.     

Incidence and etiology of ischemic stroke in Persian young adults

BACKGROUND: Stroke in young adults causes morbidity in this socioeconomically active age group. The etiologic frequency of ischemic stroke in young adults differs around the world. METHODS: The study population consisted of 314,000 'young adult' residents in Southern Khorasan province in Iran. All patients with stroke are routinely admitted to the Valie Asr tertiary care hospital. Data on patients demographics, clinical presentation and investigations of consecutive patients aged 15-45 years with ischemic stroke are registered in Southern Khorasan stroke data bank for the period March 2000 to March 2005. All patients underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations by a stroke neurologist. The etiologic classification of stroke in the patients was made based on the trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) criteria. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four patients (60 female, 64 male) were prospectively investigated during a 5-year period. The incidence of ischemic stroke in young adults was eight cases per 100,000 people per year. Cardioembolic mechanism comprised 54% of stroke etiology in young adults. Rheumatic valvular disease was present in 32% of the patients and caused 2.5 preventable stroke cases per 100,000 'young adults' per year. CONCLUSION: Rheumatic valvular disease is the most common cause and a preventable etiology of stroke in Persian young adults.     

Need for extensive diagnostic work-up for patients with lacunar stroke

OBJECTIVE: Small-vessel disease is the most frequent cause of lacunar stroke. The aims of this study were to evaluate: 1) alternative causes of lacunar stroke other than small-vessel disease; 2) functional outcome of lacunar strokes due to small vessel disease compared to lacunar strokes due to alternative causes. METHODS: Consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic lacunar stroke were prospectively followed-up for at least 3 months. At discharge patients were divided into 2 groups: lacunar stroke due to small vessel disease (L-SVD) and lacunar stroke due to possible other etiologies (L-non SVD) (e. g. cardioembolism, atherosclerosis or other causes). Main outcome measures were the combined end point of death or disability (mRS >or= 3) and recurrent stroke at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: 535 patients with acute stroke were seen during the study period. Out of these, 196 patients (126 males) with a mean age of 71.6 years (SD = 10) had lacunar stroke. L-SVD was seen in 142 patients (72.4 %) and L-nonSVD in 54 patients (27.6 %). After 16.4 months, 12 patients had died (6.2%; annual mortality rate 4.4 %), 63 were disabled (32.5 %) and 27 had stroke recurrence (13.9%; annual recurrence rate 9.9 %). Forty-nine patients with L-SVD (34.7 %) and 26 with L-nonSVD (49%) had died or become disabled. Sixteen patients with L-SVD (11.3 %) and 11 with L-nonSVD (20.4 %) had stroke recurrence. On multivariate analysis, L-nonSVD (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.08-7.65; p = 0.034) and age (OR = 1.07, 95 % CI 1.02-1.12; p = 0.01) were associated to more severe outcome. L-nonSVD was independently associated with recurrence (OR = 5.03, 95% CI 1.54-16.44; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-seven percent of patients with lacunar stroke have causes other than small vessel disease. These patients have a severe outcome in terms of recurrence,mortality or disability. These findings support the need for a comprehensive diagnostic work-up for patients with lacunar stroke.     

代谢综合征对急性脑梗死早期预后的影响

目的 探讨急性脑梗死早期预后的影响因素，分析代谢综合征（metabolic syndrome，MS）是否为急性脑梗死早期预后的独立影响因素。方法 采用前瞻性研究设计，纳入连续性急性脑梗死163例，发病1个月时进行改良Rankin量表（mRS）评分作为结局变量，0=mRS 0～2，1=mRS 3～5；急诊入院时进行美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、格拉斯哥昏迷量表（GCS）评分；依据病史及辅助检查确定TOAST分型。以性别、年龄、吸烟、饮酒、NIHSS评分、GCS评分、TOAST分型、合并症[感染、心肌梗死（MI）、心衰（HF）]、是否合并MS为自变量作单因素分析。多因素分析采用两分类logistic回归，自变量为多分类时采用变量哑化技术。结果 单因素分析结果发现，性别（P <0.05）、吸烟史（P＜0.05）、NIHSS评分（P <0.01）、GCS评分（P <0.01）、TOAST分型（P <0.01）、感染（P <0.01）、HF（P <0.05）、MS（P <0.01）对早期预后（mRS评分）的影响有统计学差异。多因素分析结果发现，MS（OR 3.869，95%CI 1.542～9.711，P <0.01）、NIHSS评分（OR 19.699，95%CI 2.107～184.134，P <0.01）、TOAST分型（OR 0.188，95%CI 0.067～0.525，P <0.01）、感染（OR 2.950，95%CI 1.202～7.238，P＜0.05）对mRS有统计学差异。结论 MS、NIHSS评分、TOAST分型、感染是预后差的独立危险因素。这对急性脑梗死的预后评价、对MS高危人群实施干预提供了可靠的依据。     

Clinical study of 222 patients with pure motor stroke

The objective was to assess the frequency of pure motor stroke caused by different stroke subtypes and to compare demographic, clinical, neuroimaging, and outcome data of pure motor stroke with those of patients with other lacunar stroke as well as with those of patients with non-lacunar stroke. Data from 2000 patients with acute stroke (n=1761) or transient ischaemic attack (n=239) admitted consecutively to the department of neurology of an acute care 350 bed teaching hospital were prospectively collected in the Sagrat Cor Hospital of Barcelona stroke registry over a 10 year period. For the purpose of the study 222 (12.7%) patients with pure motor stroke were selected. The other study groups included 218 (12.3%) patients with other lacunar strokes and 1321 (75%) patients with non-lacunar stroke. In relation to stroke subtype, lacunar infarcts were found in 189 (85%) patients, whereas ischaemic lacunar syndromes not due to lacunar infarcts occurred in 23 (10.4%) patients (atherothrombotic stroke in 12, cardioembolic stroke in seven, infarction of undetermined origin in three, and infarction of unusual aetiology in one) and haemorrhagic lacunar syndromes in 10 (4.5%). Patients with pure motor stroke showed a better outcome than patients with non-lacunar stroke with a significantly lower number of complications and in hospital mortality rate, shorter duration of hospital stay, and a higher number of symptom free patients at hospital discharge. After multivariate analysis, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, non-sudden stroke onset, internal capsule involvement, and pons topography seemed to be independent factors of pure motor stroke in patients with acute stroke. In conclusion, about one of every 10 patients with acute stroke had a pure motor stroke. Pure motor stroke was caused by a lacunar infarct in 85% of patients and by other stroke subtypes in 15%. Several clinical features are more frequent in patients with pure motor stroke than in patients with non-lacunar stroke.