北京市11家医院缺血性卒中和短暂性脑缺血发作患者血压控制状况的横断面调查

目的 评估北京地区缺血性卒中和短暂性脑缺血发作（transient ischemic attack ,TIA）患者血压控制及降血压药物使用现况。方法 采用横断面调查方法,对北京11个医院神经内科门诊就诊缺血性卒中或TIA诊断明确的连续病例近期的血压控制及降血压药物使用情况进行调查。结果 2006年7月1日～8月15日期间11个医院参加调查,总计1247例缺血性卒中和TIA患者患者连续入选纳入分析,其中伴高血压者919例 (73.7%),血压控制达标率[按收缩压（SBP）＜140 mmHg和舒张压（DBP）＜90 mmHg]为46.8％（413/919）。伴糖尿病者297例,血压控制达标率[按SBP<130mmHg和DBP<80mmHg]为13.1%（39/297）。伴高血压者919例中,739例患者使用各种降血压药物,使用比例分别为钙通道阻滞剂（calcium channel blocker,CCB）61.2%（452/739）、肾素-血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor,ACEI）26.8%（198/739）、β-受体阻滞剂15.7%（116/739）、复方制剂15.2%（112/739）、利尿剂8.0%(59/739)、血管紧张素II受体拮抗剂（angiotensin II receptor antagonist,ARB）7.7%（57/739）、α-受体阻滞剂1.3％（13/739）。关于患者未用药的原因：42.7％（53/124）患者认为血压已控制故停药,其次29.8％（37/124）的患者回答是医生未建议。结论 北京市缺血性卒中和TIA患者血压控制水平参照临床指南要求目标值达标率偏低,伴糖尿病的患者血压控制更不理想,亟待加强对卒中患者血压的控制,缩短临床实践与指南间的差距。     

Risk factors and characteristics of ischemic stroke in patients with immune thrombocytopenia: A retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesPrevious research has found that patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have an increased risk of thrombosis, such as venous thromboembolism (VT), ischemic stroke (IS)/transient ischemic attack (TIA), and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the risk factors for stroke in patients with ITP have yet to be determined. This study aims to determine the risk factors and characteristics of ischemic stroke in patients with ITP.Materials and methodsThis study included adults with incident primary ITP diagnosed in a tertiary medical center between 2010 and 2020. The t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the variables between IS and non-IS groups, and the multivariate logistic regression model was employed to evaluate correlations.ResultsThe study enrolled 1824 individuals, of whom 17 (0.93%) had IS, and 138 (1:8) were randomly chosen from 1807 non-IS patients. Age was found to be substantially associated with stroke in the multivariate analysis (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.026-1.116; p = 0.001). We found no correlation between platelet counts (PLT) (OR 1.013, 95% CI: 0.995-1.033; p = 0.164), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet larger cell ratio (P-LCR), prothrombin time (PT) (OR 1.455, 95% CI 0.979-2.164; p = 0.064), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, fibrinogen or antinuclear antibody (ANA) and stroke. Of 17 ITP-IS patients, 7 (53.8%) were cryptogenic, greater than the general IS population. Three (23.1%) of them had an embolic pattern.ConclusionFor ITP patients, age was a significant predictor of stroke. ITP-IS patients had a more cryptogenic origin, with some showing an embolic pattern.     

C-reactive protein predicts further ischemic events in transient ischemic attack patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) experience cardiovascular events frequently, strong clinical predictors of recurrence are lacking. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be a powerful predictor of future first-ever and recurrent coronary and cerebral ischemic events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP and the risk of further ischemic events in TIA patients. METHODS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was determined <24 h after symptom onset among 135 consecutive TIA patients and stroke recurrence or any new vascular event was recorded during 1 year follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 38 (28.1%) patients experienced an end point event: 28 (20.7%) cerebral ischemic events, six (4.4%) heart ischemic events, four (3%) peripheral arterial disease, and nine (6.7%) vascular deaths. Cox proportional hazards multivariate analyses identified age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.12, P = 0.01], large-artery occlusive disease (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.41, P = 0.02) and hs-CRP> 4.1 mg/l (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.12-7.10, P = 0.03) as independent predictors of stroke. Moreover, age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10, P = 0.02), large-artery occlusive disease (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.48-6.58, P < 0.01), coronary disease (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.11-5.16, P = 0.03), and hs-CRP> 4.1 mg/l (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.16-6.30, P = 0.02) were also independent predictors of any vascular event. CONCLUSIONS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein serum level predicts further ischemic events following TIA. Routine CRP measurement might be a useful tool for identifying high-risk TIA patients in order to plan aggressive diagnostic protocols and prevention therapies.     

The course of blood pressure in acute stroke is related to the severity of the neurological deficits

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how soon after stroke the diagnosis of hypertension could be established. METHODS: In a prospective study including 1192 patients with acute stroke within 6 h, blood pressure was measured serially at 2-h intervals during the first 24 h. Results are presented as mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). The Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) assessed the neurological deficit. RESULTS: In 779 patients with mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and SSS > 25, MAP was 118 mmHg (CI 95%: 116-119 mmHg) on admission and 109 mmHg (CI 95%: 108-110 mmHg) 4 h later (paired t-test, P < 0.001). No such early decrease was observed in 228 patients with severe cerebral infarction (CI). In mild to moderate ischaemic stroke or TIA, MAP at 24 h was not different from MAP at 3 months in paired t-test. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure 24 h after admission in patients with mild to moderate CI or TIA was representative of the patient's blood pressure 3 months after stroke. A diagnosis of arterial hypertension can be established a few days after stroke.     

Control of blood pressure and risk of stroke among pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite improved control of blood pressure during the last decades in the United States, a considerable proportion of treated hypertensives have not achieved target blood pressure levels. We estimated the proportion of strokes occurring among treated hypertensive patients that may be attributable to uncontrolled blood pressure. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted among treated hypertensive members of Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound. Cases were treated hypertensive patients who sustained a first fatal or nonfatal, ischemic (n=460) or hemorrhagic (n=95) stroke during 1989-1996. Controls were a random sample of stroke-free, treated hypertensive Group Health Cooperative enrollees (n=2966), similar in age to the stroke cases. Multiple measurements of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors were collected from medical records. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke associated with uncontrolled blood pressure, defined as diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg or systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg. The fraction of strokes attributable to uncontrolled blood pressure among treated hypertensives was calculated. RESULTS: Blood pressure was uncontrolled in 78% of ischemic stroke cases, 85% of hemorrhagic stroke cases, and 65% of controls. After adjustment for potential confounders, uncontrolled blood pressure among treated hypertensive patients was moderately associated with ischemic stroke (risk ratio=1.5 [95% CI, 1.2 to 1. 9]) and strongly related to hemorrhagic stroke (risk ratio=3.0 [95% CI, 1.7 to 5.4]). We estimated that 27% (95% CI, 11% to 39%) of the ischemic strokes and 57% (95% CI, 26% to 75%) of the hemorrhagic strokes among treated hypertensive patients were attributable to uncontrolled blood pressure. Overall, 32% (95% CI, 14% to 45%) of all strokes were attributable to uncontrolled blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of incident strokes among treated hypertensive patients may be prevented by achieving control of blood pressure.     

缺血性卒中/TIA患者抗栓药物的使用及影响因素分析：中国七城市门诊连续病例的横断面调查

目的 评估中国缺血性卒中(IS)或短暂性脑缺血发作（TIA）患者应用抗血栓药物（包括抗血小板药物和抗凝药物）的现况，并分析其影响因素。方法 采用横断面研究方法，调查2006年7月1日至8月15日期间，中国主要城市二、三级医院神经内科门诊连续IS或TIA患者近期的抗血栓药物使用情况。22家医院参加调查，总计2384例卒中患者连续入选；有3家不符合中心入选标准被除外，最后19家医院的资料被采用，总计有2283例卒中患者的数据纳入分析中。结果 2283例卒中患者中，使用阿司匹林者占71.9％，使用阿司匹林+氯吡格雷占4.2％，使用氯吡格雷者占7.3％，各种抗血小板药物合计例数占75.6％。伴心房颤动的81例卒中患者中，使用华发林者占17.3％。医疗保险[比值比（OR）1.473，95%可信区间（CI）1.088～1.994]、公费医疗（OR 1.632，95%CI 1.029～2.589）、月均收入≥500元以上（OR 2.136，95%CI 1.508～3.026）、高血压（OR 1.463，95%CI 1.159～1.847）和脂代谢紊乱（OR 1.499，95%CI 1.187～1.893）是卒中患者接受抗血小板药物的促进因素。患者年龄≥75岁（OR 0.701，95%CI 0.498～0.988）及改良的Rankin评分4～5分（OR 0.684，95%CI 0.486～0.965）是用药的阻碍因素。结论 中国大城市二、三级医院IS和TIA患者的抗血栓治疗现状不容乐观，各类抗血栓药物应用的比例较低，为改善以上状况，亟待探索有效的改进模式，缩短临床实践与指南间的差距。     

The impact of a stroke prevention clinic in diagnosing modifiable risk factors for stroke

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the referral patterns of patients to a stroke prevention clinic (SPC) and to test the adequacy of prereferral diagnosis and management of modifiable risk factors for stroke. METHODS: We collected prospective data on consecutive patients referred to the SPC at University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Outcome measures included: alternate diagnoses to stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), uncontrolled or undiagnosed hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, therapies, and investigations leading to carotid endarterectomy. RESULTS: Two thousand and eleven patients were referred to SPC. Nearly 25% of the referrals originated from the emergency room and the rest from general physicians. Of the referrals, 68.7% were confirmed as TIA or stroke at the SPC. Among 1381 patients with TIA or stroke, 736 had history of hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension was found in 265 patients (36.0% of those with hypertension: 95% CI: 32.5-39.5) while undiagnosed hypertension was found in 103 (15.9% of those without hypertension: 95%CI: 13.14-18.79). History of hyperlipidemia was present in 451 patients (32.6%) and 356 (78.9%: 95% CI: 75.2-82.69) of these patients were not at target for secondary prevention. Among 930 patients without history of hyperlipidemia, 739 (79.5%: 95% CI: 76.8-82.1) were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia through the SPC. Fasting blood glucose levels above 7.1 mmol/L in patients with and without history of diabetes were 221 (79.2%: 95% CI: 74.5-83.9) and 66 (6%: 95%CI: 4.6-7.4) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Management of risk factors for stroke needs improvement. SPCs should consider actively managing the classical modifiable risk factors of stroke.     

Prevalence of atrial septal abnormalities in older patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of atrial septal abnormalities - patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), or the combination of both (PFO+ASA) - with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in older patients. METHODS: We examined the prevalences of PFO, ASA, and PFO+ASA in 132 consecutive patients aged 55 years or more who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for evaluation of ischemic stroke or TIA. We compared patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA and those with stroke/TIA of known cause. RESULTS: PFO+ASA was more common in patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA than in patients with stroke/TIA of known cause (12/62 or 19% vs. 2/70 or 3%; adjusted odds ratio, 7.4; 95% CI, 1.4-38.2). Differences between groups for isolated PFO, and isolated ASA were not significant. The association of PFO+ASA with cryptogenic stroke/TIA was confirmed in the subgroup of patients aged 75 years or more (odds ratio, 15.0; 95% CI, 1.5-146.7). CONCLUSION: This study indicates a significant association of PFO+ASA with cryptogenic stroke or TIA in older patients.     

Microalbuminuria in ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the incidence of microalbuminuria in patients with recent ischemic stroke, (2) its relationship to risk factors for stroke, (3) its prevalence in the major subtypes of ischemic stroke, and (4) its potential for identifying patients at increased risk for recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient clinics at the medical centers affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore. PATIENTS: A total of 186 older men and women (median age, 65 years) who were enrolled in a prospective study of risk factors for recurrent stroke, including 97 patients with recent (6-8 weeks) ischemic stroke, 51 with similar clinical risk factors for stroke, including 24 with a history of remote stroke or transient ischemic attack, and 38 community-dwelling volunteers. RESULTS: Microalbuminuria was 3 times more prevalent in patients with recent stroke (29%) than in those with clinical risk factors for stroke (10%), and was undetectable in healthy elderly controls (P<.001). The presence of microalbuminuria in recent stroke as well as in the combined recent and remote stroke or transient ischemic attack group (n = 121) was predicted by diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-27.0; P<.001; serum albumin levels (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.50; P<.005); age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.2; P<.01), and ischemic heart disease (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.0-9.1; P<.05). Among patients with recent stroke the prevalence of microalbuminuria did not differ among major ischemic stroke subtypes, ie, atheroembolic, 23%; cardioembolic, 30%; and lacunar, 33%. During a mean +/- SD of 1.5 +/- 0.9 years of follow-up, 20% of patients with recent stroke, 14% with risk factors for stroke, and 0% of healthy elderly volunteers had vascular end points (P<.004), with events being as frequent in patients with microalbuminuria (32%) as in patients with macroalbuminuria (33%). After controlling for major clinical risk factors, microalbuminuria remained an independently significant predictor of future stroke in the combined recent stroke and remote stroke or transient ischemic attack group (Cox proportional hazard ratio, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.4-17.6; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Microalbuminuria is a common finding in patients with cerebrovascular disease and is associated with increased risk for stroke even after correction for the presence of confounding clinical risk factors. These data suggest that microalbuminuria merits further examination as a potentially inexpensive and easily measured marker of increased risk for stroke.     

重症缺血性脑卒中预后相关影响因素分析

目的探讨影响重症缺血性脑卒中(sIS)短期预后的相关因素。方法回顾性分析143例缺血性脑卒中(IS)住院患者的一般资料和实验室检查,包括既往史、血常规、血生化、凝血象等指标,头颅CT或MRI影像资料,发病后的并发症。根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分变化进行病情严重程度分类及预后判断。结果 143例IS患者中sIS者82例(57.3%),轻症缺血性脑卒中(mIS)61例(42.7%)。82例sIS患者中,预后不良的发生率为73.2%(60/82)。sIS预后改善与预后不良组间入院收缩压、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、随机血糖(Glu)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,LDL-C水平升高是sIS早期不良预后的独立危险因素(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.05～2.69),入院时收缩压相对升高对sIS的预后具有保护作用(OR=0.97,95%CI:0.05～1.00)。mIS 30d预后不良组与sIS 30d预后不良组间房颤、卒中相关肺炎(SAP)、血白细胞数升高比较有统计学差异(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,房颤(OR=5.04,95%CI:1.31～9.63)、SAP(OR=3.23,95%CI:1.12～9.36)是IS早期不良预后的独立危险因素。结论房颤、LDL-C水平升高、SAP是IS早期预后不良的独立危险因素。     

Proteinuria is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proteinuria is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with NIDDM. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between proteinuria and ischemic stroke in subjects with NIDDM, and to determine whether proteinuria is an independent risk factor for stroke. METHODS: We performed a case-control study of 59 diabetic patients with first-ever ischemic stroke due to thrombotic arterial occlusion, who were considered cases, and 180 diabetic patients without stroke, matched by gender, age, and diabetes duration, as a control group. WHO criteria for verified definite or possible stroke were used to ascertain the diagnosis of stroke. For the purpose of this study proteinuria was defined as a 24-hour urinary protein excretion rate of >/=20 and <200 microg/min. Risk factors included were smoking, blood pressure, body mass index, serum total cholesterol, hyperglycemia, and proteinuria. RESULTS: Subjects with stroke had higher proteinuria proportion and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Both frequency of antihypertensive treatment and antihypertensive drugs used were similar among subjects with and without stroke. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the ORs and 95% CIs for the variables identified as risk factors for stroke were as follows: systolic pressure (OR 3.10; 95% CI 3.01 to 4.21; P=0.03); diastolic pressure (OR 3.30; 95% CI 1.04 to 4.48; P<0.0001); fasting glucose >/=11.1 mmol (OR 1.82; 905% CI 1.4 to 3.8; P=0.04), HbA1c >/=9.5% (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1; P<0.01), and proteinuria (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.06 to 4.36; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our case-control study gives evidence that proteinuria is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients with NIDDM.     

Prediction of functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients in northwest China

OBJECTIVES: To identify the clinical factors which predicted the outcome of ischemic stroke patients in northwest China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 489 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the Neurology Department of Xijing Hospital. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Follow-up assessments were performed by telephone interviews or letters. The clinical outcome was assessed by using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and categorized as good (score 0-2) or poor (score 3-6) outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore predictors of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: The follow-up period was up to 47 months (mean, 28.3 months). Fifty-five patients (11.2%) were lost. Among these 434 patients, 244 (56.2%) patients had good outcome and 190 (43.8%) had poor outcome. The poor outcome was associated with old age (OR: 3.505; CI 95%: 2.100-5.849), lower educational level (OR: 0.686; CI 95%: 0.570-0.825), having stroke history (OR: 2.481; CI 95%: 1.442-4.268), and higher NIHSS total score (OR: 2.619; CI 95%: 1.584-4.330). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that age, the educational level, stroke history, and NIHSS score are useful in the prediction of functional outcome of ischemic stroke in Chinese northwest area.     

Headache as a predictive factor of severe systolic hypertension in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: Elevation of blood pressure (BP) is common in acute cerebral infarction, with several studies reporting a high plasma catecholamine level or previous hypertension as a contributory factor. However, more comprehensive studies on associated clinical parameters are lacking. Our main aim in undertaking this study was to correlate clinical variables associated with a BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency room and diagnosed with an acute cerebral infarction within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms were investigated. A BP elevation was defined as a high systolic (> or = 200mmHg) or diastolic (> or = 110 mmHg) pressure. The mean systolic and diastolic BP were compared between the different stroke subtypes, lesion locations (carotid vs. vertebrobasilar), and hemispheric sides. The frequency of symptoms, risk factors, location of the infarct, stroke severity, vascular status and laboratory abnormalities were analyzed in order to build a regression model. RESULTS: On hundred thirty-one patients were recruited (M:F = 60:71, mean age 66 +/- 12 years) and an elevated BP was identified in 33 patients (25.2%). The mean systolic and diastolic BP did not differ significantly between the stroke subtypes, lesion locations, and hemispheric sides. According to univariate logistic regression, an elevated systolic BP correlated with headache (p = 0.01) and underlying hypertension (p = 0.02) while an elevated diastolic BP correlated with underlying hypertension (p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed previous hypertension (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.40-19.37) and headache (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.44-11.66) to be independent predictors of an elevated systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Headache itself is closely associated with severe systolic BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke. Whether treatment of elevated BP improves headache and clinical outcome is not yet known, necessitating future controlled studies.     

Acute inflammatory events and ischemic stroke subtypes

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that previous infection may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke mainly in young and middle-aged patients. The present study sought to further investigate the association between recent inflammatory events (IE) and ischemic stroke without age restriction and to determine the role of recent IE in different ischemic stroke subtypes. METHODS: We performed a case-control study with 93 consecutive hospitalized stroke patients and 200 (107 hospital and 93 community) controls. Acute IE, both infective and non-infective, occurring in the previous 30 days were assessed using a standard questionnaire. The TOAST criteria were used for ischemic stroke subtypes classification. RESULTS: Acute IE in the previous 30 and 7 days were significantly and independently associated with ischemic stroke (37/93 vs. 47/200; OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.26-3.96 and 17/93 vs.16/200; OR 2.45, 95% IC 1.11-5.39, respectively). Stratifying for stroke subtypes, acute IE significantly and independently increased the risk of atherothrombotic (OR 5.72, 95% CI 2.14-15.25) and cardioembolic stroke (OR 3.02, 95%CI 1.20-7.63). CONCLUSIONS: Acute IE increase the risk of acute ischemic stroke of atherothrombotic and cardioembolic type independently of other predisposing factors. Implications for daily clinical practice, in relation to prevention and treatment of IE in patients at risk, have to be explored.     

Symptomatic carotid stenosis and stroke risk in patients with transient ischemic attack according to the tissue-based definition

Background and Purpose: Symptomatic carotid stenosis (sCS), a common cause of transient ischemic attack (TIA), is correlated with higher stroke risk. We investigated the frequency and associated factors of sCS in patients with TIA and the association between sCS and stroke risk following TIA. Methods: Over a three-year period (2011–2013), 861 consecutive patients with TIA, who were admitted to the Department of Neurology at the University of Lübeck, Germany, were included in a monocenter study and prospectively evaluated. Diagnosis of TIA was in accordance with the tissue-based definition (transient neurological symptoms without evidence of infarction by brain imaging). Results: Of 827 patients (mean age, 70 ± 13.2 years; 49.7% women), 64 patients (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9%–9.7%) exhibited sCS and 3 patients (0.3%) showed an occlusion of the corresponding internal carotid artery. Logistic regression revealed that sCS was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2–3.6; p = 0.012), amaurosis fugax (OR, 8.1; 95% CI, 3.4–19–4; p < 0.001), unilateral weakness (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.9–6.1; p < 0.001), symptom duration less than 1 h (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.4; p = 0.019) and previous stroke (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5–4.7; p = 0.001). During hospitalization (mean, 6.6 days), five patients (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.1%–1.2%) suffered from stroke. The stroke risk was higher in patients with sCS than in those without sCS (6.3% vs. 0.1%; p < 0.001), whereas the recurrent TIA risk (2.6%) did not differ between the groups (4.7% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.29). Conclusion: SCS appears to be associated with a higher risk of stroke in patients with TIA defined according to the tissue-based definition.     

Acute stroke unit care and early neurological deterioration in ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact that monitored acute stroke unit care may have on the risk of early neurological deterioration (END), and 90-day mortality and mortality-disability. METHODS: Non-randomized prospective study with consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) admitted to a conventional care stroke unit (CCSU), from May 2003 to April 2005, or to a monitored acute stroke unit (ASU) from May 2005 to April 2006. END was defined as an increase in the NIHSS score >or= 4 points in the first 72 hours after admission. RESULTS: END was detected in 19.6% of patients (11.2% of patients admitted to the ASU and 23.8% to the CCSU; p<0.0001). Patients admitted to the ASU received more treatment with intravenous rtPa (13.5% versus 4.2%; p<0.0001), had a shorter length of stay (9.1 [11.0] d versus 13.1 [10.4] d; p<0.0001), lower 90-day mortality (10.2% versus 17.3%; p=0.02), and lower mortality-disability at 90-days (28.4% versus 40.2%; p=0.004) than those admitted to the CCSU. Multivariable analysis showed that ASU admission was a protector for END (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23-0.62). On admission, higher NIHSS (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.10), higher glycaemia (OR: 1.003; 95% CI: 1.001-1.006), and higher systolic pressure (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.002-1.017) were independent predictors of END. CONCLUSIONS: END prevention by ASU care might be a key factor contributing to better outcome and decrease of length of stay in patients admitted to monitored stroke units.     

急性缺血性卒中NEW-TOAST分型各亚型与血糖的关系

目的 研究急性缺血性卒中NEW-TOAST分型各亚型与血糖的关系。方法 回顾性分析624例住院急性缺血性卒中患者的病史及相关检查结果,按NEW-TOAST分型标准对所有患者进行分型,并对各亚型的血糖水平分布资料进行多分类资料的关联分析,比较各亚型糖代谢异常及糖化血红蛋白异常的频率,然后计算血糖、血压和血脂的优势比（OR）及95％的置信区间(CI)。结果 (1) 624例患者NEW-TOAST分型中,以动脉粥样硬化血栓形成型(AT)为主,小动脉闭塞型(SAO)次之;其中原有糖尿病病史119例(19.1％),新发现糖尿病40例(7.5％),糖调节受损71例(11.4％);(2)AT、SAO患者糖代谢异常及糖化血红蛋白的比例均较高,分别为40.4％、39.7％及48.6％、48.1％;各亚型与高血糖的关联分析,x2=14.83,P=0.020,r=0.152。SAO患者高血糖的OR为1.925,95％ CI 1.392 ～2.664,AT患者与高血糖无明显相关;AT患者高血压的OR为2.874,95％ CI1.957 ～4.222,SAO患者高血压的OR为1.609,95％ CI 1.100 ～1.235;各亚型与高低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)的关联分析,SAO患者高LDL-C的OR为1.419,95％CI1.026 ～ 1.962,AT与高LDL-C无明显相关;(3)各亚型糖代谢异常频率差异的比较：x2=17.79,P=0.000,AT及SAO分别与其他3型相比,均P＜0.05;而各亚型糖化血红蛋白异常频率差异的比较：x2=35.57,P=0.000,两两比较发现,AT与SAO,x2=0.014,P=0.906;AT及SAO分别与其他3型相比,均P＜0.05。结论 急性缺血性卒中NEW-TOAST分型中以AT、SAO所占比例更高;各亚型与血糖水平有关联性,且SAO与血糖关联最为密切;高血压对大小血管均有损伤作用,高LDL-C可能对小血管的损伤较明显。     

Which risk factors are more associated with ischemic rather than hemorrhagic stroke in black Africans?

Objective

To comprehensively examine the relationship of vascular risk factors to stroke type in native black Africans.

Methods

We explored 34 candidate demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables in 282 consecutive adult stroke patients with brain imaging.

Results

Ischemic stroke (IS) was found in 61.7% (174). Gender, alcohol, cigarette, homocysteine, C-reactive peptide, anthropometry, and carotid parameters were not significantly associated with stroke type (p > 0.05). Patients with IS had relatively lower BP, were significantly older, and more frequently had diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, or previous transient ischemic attack than patients with hemorrhagic stroke (HS). However, in multivariate regression model predicting 69% of stroke type correctly, age ≥ 62 years (OR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.0–7.9), previous TIA (OR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.2–15.7) and systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) were the only independent significant predictors of IS.

Conclusions

With increasing proportion of the population over 61 years and better BP control, the proportion of IS is expected to rise in black African countries currently undergoing epidemiological transition (changing lifestyle/disease pattern). Therefore, relevant components of the stroke intervention quadrangle (stroke surveillance, acute care, preventive and rehabilitation services) should be tailored toward this need.     

Clinical features, risk factors, and prognosis in transient global amnesia: a follow-up study

We previously observed a high frequency of psychopathological features in transient global amnesia (TGA). We aimed at assessing differences in risk factor profile and prognosis between TGA and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with a focus on aspects with possible psychopathological relevance. We studied 51 TGA patients (mean age +/- SD, 62.7 +/- 6.7 years; M/F = 24/27) and 51 control patients with TIA (mean age +/- SD, 63.8 +/- 6.7 years; M/F = 41/10) and followed them up for about 7 years. Compared with TIA controls, TGA patients more frequently had a history of psychiatric diseases (age and sex-corrected OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.01-8.05) and alcohol use (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.10-9.66) and less frequently a history of cardiac (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.76) or peripheral artery disease (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01-0.96). A family history of psychiatric diseases was reported more frequently by TGA than TIA patients (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.04-8.59). On follow-up, in comparison with TIA patients, TGA patients had a significantly lower risk of combined stroke, myocardial infarct, and death (log-rank test, P = 0.0059). In the multivariate analysis, the dissimilar baseline risk factor profile explained most of the difference in prognosis between the two groups. In comparison with TIA patients, patients with TGA have more frequently a personal or family history of psychiatric diseases and a more favorable vascular risk factor profile and prognosis. These results have therapeutic implications and reinforce the hypothesis that TGA is a benign disorder.     

Atherosclerotic burden and early mortality in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: The influence that previous clinical expressions of systemic atherosclerosis may have on evolution and early mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke is not known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence that atherosclerotic burden (ATB), assessed by a simple clinical scale, has on the 30-day mortality in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. DESIGN: Retrospective review of case series from a prospective stroke record. An ATB score ranging from 0 to 2 was created using the history of ischemic heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. The impact of this score on the 30-day mortality was analyzed by multivariate regression analysis. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. Patients A total of 1527 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. Main Outcome Measure Thirty-day mortality. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 13.8%. Multivariate regression analysis showed an association between the ATB score and the 30-day mortality (P<.001). Comparing patients having no previous ATB with those with an ATB score of 1 or 2, the odds ratio (OR) for 30-day mortality increased from 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.75) for patients with an ATB score of 1 to 5.90 (95% CI, 2.48-14.04) for those with an ATB score of 2. Age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.08), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.18-1.25), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.10-2.35), hyperlipidemia as protector (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.25-0.60), and glycemia at admission (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12) were also predictors of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Previous symptomatic atherosclerotic disease evaluated by a simple clinical score is an independent predictor of early mortality in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke.