Successful thrombectomy is beneficial in patients with pre-stroke disability: Results from an international multicenter cohort study

BackgroundPatients with pre-stroke disability, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3, were excluded from most trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute stroke. We sought to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with favorable outcome in stroke patients with known disability undergoing EVT, and the impact of successful reperfusion.MethodsConsecutive acute stroke patients with pre-stroke disability, undergoing EVT, were retrospectively collected between 2016 to 2019 from a Canadian cohort and a multicenter French cohort (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry-ETIS). Favorable outcome was defined as an mRS equal to pre-stroke mRS. Patients achieving successful reperfusion (defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b/3) were compared with patients without successful reperfusion to determine if successful EVT was associated with better functional outcomes.ResultsAmong 6220 patients treated with EVT, 280 (4.5%) patients with a pre-stroke mRS ≥3 were included. Sixty-one patients (21.8%) had a favorable outcome and 146 (52.1%) died at 3 months. Patients with successful reperfusion had a higher proportion of favorable 90-day mRS (27.6% versus 19.6%, p = 0.025) and a lower mortality (48.3% versus 69.6%, p = 0.008) than patients without successful reperfusion. After adjusting for baseline prognostic factors, successful reperfusion defined by TICI ≥2b was associated with favorable functional outcome (OR 3.16 CI95% [1.11–11.5]; p 0.048).ConclusionIn patients with pre-stroke disability, successful reperfusion is associated with a greater proportion of favorable outcome and lower mortality.     

Thrombolysis safety and effectiveness in acute ischemic stroke patients with pre-morbid disability

IntroductionRecombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the first-line therapy demonstrated to be safe and effective in acute ischemic stroke. People with pre-existing severe dementia or physical disability are usually excluded from rt-PA. The aim of our study was to investigate rt-PA safety and effectiveness in acute stroke with pre-existing disability (mRS ≥ 2).MethodsThe study encompassed 35 acute ischemic stroke patients with mRS ≥ 2 treated with rt-PA. In order to assess the differences in clinical outcome in three disability groups (mRS = 2; 3; 4/5), the following parameters were evaluated: intracerebral hemorrhage, mortality, NIHSS, ΔNIHSS and mRS.ResultsBaseline-NIHSS and age were not significantly different among groups. Mortality was higher in the pre-morbid mRS 4/5 group (44%) than in the pre-morbid mRS 2 (16.7%) and mRS 3 groups (21.4%). In survived patients, median ΔNIHSS% was higher in the mRS 2 and 3 groups (-63.3% and −92.3%, respectively) than in the mRS 4/5 group (−9.1%). The 247 rt-PA treated subjects with mRS < 2 in the same period showed lower mortality rate (4.7%), lower sICH (5%), lower mRS at discharge (median 1; range 0–6) and similar ΔNIHSS% (−75%).ConclusionPatients with mRS 2 and 3 may benefit from rt-PA with a moderate risk of sICH and mortality.     

Previous Disability and Benefit of Acute Phase Therapy in Functional Prognosis of Selected Patients with Ischemic Stroke

ObjectivesPatients’ previous disability (PD) is a key factor when considering acute stroke therapy. PD's exact impact on functional prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke remains not entirely clarified. We aimed to analyze PD's influence on functional outcome three months after ischemic stroke.Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis of prospectively collected data concerning patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Stroke Unit of a tertiary center who underwent acute phase therapy between 2017 and 2019. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to define PD (with previous mRS≥3). Patients with PD were selected for treatment based on similar baseline characteristics to patients without PD. Patients were classified into two groups according to previous mRS: mRS<3 and mRS≥3. We defined bad outcome at three months after stroke as mRS≥3 for patients with previous mRS<3, and as a higher score than baseline mRS for patients with previous mRS≥3.ResultsWe identified 1169 eligible patients – 1016 patients with previous mRS<3 and 153 patients with previous mRS≥3. Most baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between them. For patients ≤75 years old, PD was associated with worse outcome (odds ratio estimate [OR] 4.50, p < 0.001). For patients >75 years old, PD was protective against worse outcome (OR 0.42, p < 0.001). In patients with previous mRS≥3 and >75 years old, there was a higher proportion of women (p = 0.005).ConclusionsPD might not be a relevant factor when considering acute stroke therapy in selected patients >75 years old, especially women. Further studies are needed to clarify these findings.     

氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林治疗对轻型卒中与短暂性脑缺血发作患者功能预后的影响：CHANCE与POINT试验联合分析

目的 评价氯吡格雷联合阿司匹林双抗治疗对轻型缺血性卒中与TIA患者功能预后的影响。 方法 提取CHANCE和POINT试验所有的个体数据。这两项试验中,所有纳入患者在症状发作12 h （POINT）或24 h（CHANCE）以内随机接受氯吡格雷联用阿司匹林或单用阿司匹林治疗。结局指标为3个 月时功能预后不良（mRS≥2）,三等级定义卒中复发[致残性或致死性卒中复发（mRS≥2）、非致残性 卒中复发（mRS 0或1）、无卒中复发]。 结果 共10 013例患者纳入分析,其中来自CHANCE试验5132例（51.3%）,来自POINT试验4881例 （48.7%）;氯吡格雷联用阿司匹林组4995例（49.9%）,单用阿司匹林组5018例（50.1%）。氯吡格雷联 用阿司匹林组3个月时功能预后不良的患者比例低于单用阿司匹林组（11.6% vs 12.6%,校正OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.72～0.94,P =0.005）。氯吡格雷联用阿司匹林组致残性或致死性卒中复发（4.6% vs 6.1%, 校正OR 0.73,95%CI 0.61～0.87,P <0.001）、非致残性卒中复发（1.9% vs 3.0%,校正OR 0.62,95%CI 0.47～0.80,P <0.001）和卒中复发的整体致残性（校正cOR 0.70,95%CI 0.60～0.81,P <0.001）低于单 用阿司匹林组。 结论 与单用阿司匹林治疗相比,氯吡格雷联用阿司匹林治疗可进一步改善轻型缺血性卒中和TIA 患者3个月时功能预后,减少致残性卒中复发。     

Decompressive hemicraniectomy in severe cerebral venous thrombosis: a prospective case series

Small retrospective case series suggest that decompressive hemicraniectomy can be life saving in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and impending brain herniation. Prospective studies of consecutive cases are lacking. Thus, a single centre, prospective study was performed. In 2006 we adapted our protocol for CVT treatment to perform acute decompressive hemicraniectomy in patients with impending herniation, in whom the prognosis with conservative treatment was considered infaust. We included all consecutive patients with CVT between 2006 and 2010 who underwent hemicraniectomy. Outcome was assessed at 12 months with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Ten patients (8 women) with a median age of 41 years (range 26-52 years) were included. Before surgery 5 patients had GCS < 9, 9 patients had normal pupils, 1 patient had a unilaterally fixed and dilated pupil. All patients except one had space-occupying intracranial hemorrhagic infarcts. The median preoperative midline shift was 9 mm (range 3-14 mm). Unilateral hemicraniectomy was performed in 9 patients and bilateral hemicraniectomy in one. Two patients died from progressive cerebral edema and expansion of the hemorrhagic infarcts. Five patients recovered without disability at 12 months (mRS 0-1). Two patients had some residual handicap (one minor, mRS 2; one moderate, mRS 3). One patient was severely handicapped (mRS 5). Our prospective data show that decompressive hemicraniectomy in the most severe cases of cerebral venous thrombosis was probably life saving in 8/10 patients, with a good clinical outcome in six. In 2 patients death was caused by enlarging hemorrhagic infarcts.     

Subacute sensory neuropathy associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

A 35-year-old man experienced severe sensory loss, pseudoathetosis, and areflexia during recovery from a severe viral illness. Sensory nerve action potentials were absent, motor conduction velocities were mildly slowed, and blink reflexes were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signal within the central and dorsal aspects of the thoracic cord. Acute and convalescent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) titers suggested EBV as the etiology. Subacute sensory neuropathy, with peripheral and central nervous system involvement, is a rare complication of EBV infection.     

Ocular myasthenia gravis: response to long-term immunosuppressive treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Ocular myasthenia gravis is a subtype of myasthenia gravis that causes relatively mild disability, but may convert into severe generalised muscle weakness. A universal management plan for ocular myasthenia gravis has not been established. This study was performed to determine the outcome of ocular myasthenia gravis with the currently available therapeutic options. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 78 patients with ocular myasthenia gravis with a mean disease duration of 8.3 (range 0.5-58.3) years. RESULTS: In 54 patients (69%) symptoms and signs remained confined to the extraocular muscles during the observation period. The remaining 24 patients (31%) developed symptoms of generalised myasthenia gravis; 50% of them within two years, 75% within four years after onset. A somewhat reduced risk of generalisation was found in those with mild symptoms, normal repetitive nerve stimulation test, and low or absent antiacetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies at the time of diagnosis. Patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment (corticosteroids and/or azathioprine) rarely developed generalised myasthenia gravis (six of 50, 12%). Those without such treatment, usually due to uncertain diagnosis and late referral, converted into generalised myasthenia gravis significantly more often (18 of 28, 64%). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of ocular myasthenia gravis is good. A conventional scheme with short-term corticosteroids and long-term azathioprine seems adequate to achieve remission in most patients. The proportion of patients developing generalised myasthenia gravis was smaller in this population compared with previously published groups (usually 50%-70%). Early immunosuppressive treatment is at least partially responsible for this finding. Thymectomy (performed here in 12 patients with an abnormal chest CT) also correlated with a good outcome, but had no apparent advantage over medical treatment alone.     

Mediation effect of stroke recurrence in the association between post-stroke interleukin-6 and functional disability

Aim

Post-stroke inflammation increases the risk of functional disability through enlarged cerebral infarct size directly and follow-up stroke event indirectly. We aimed to use post-stroke proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a marker of inflammatory burden and quantify post-stroke inflammation's direct and indirect effect on functional disability.

Methods

We analyzed patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to 169 hospitals in the Third China National Stroke Registry. Blood samples were collected within 24 h of admission. Stroke recurrence and functional outcome measured by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) were assessed via face-to-face interviews at 3 months. Functional disability was defined as an mRS score ≥2. Mediation analyses under the counterfactual framework were performed to examine the potential causal chain in which stroke recurrence may mediate the relationship between IL-6 and functional outcome.

Results

Among the 7053 analyzed patients, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) NIHSS score was 3 (1–5), and the median (IQR) level of IL-6 was 2.61 (1.60–4.73) pg/mL. Stroke recurrence was observed in 458 (6.5%) patients, and functional disability was seen in 1708 (24.2%) patients at the 90-day follow-up. Per stand deviation (4.26 pg/mL) increase in the concentration of IL-6 was associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.19; 95% CI, 1.09–1.29) and disability (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.15–1.30) within 90 days. Mediation analyses revealed that 18.72% (95% CI, 9.26%–28.18%) of the relationship between IL-6 and functional disability was mediated by stroke recurrence.

Conclusions

Stroke recurrence mediates less than 20% of the association between IL-6 and functional outcome at 90 days among patients with acute ischemic stroke. In addition to typical secondary prevention strategies for preventing stroke recurrence, more attention should be paid to novel anti-inflammatory therapy to improve functional outcomes directly.     

Outcomes following thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion beyond 24 hours or with unknown time of onset

BackgroundEndovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is recommended in medically eligible patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO) within 24 hours of symptom onset. While there is evidence that EVT ≥24h after last known well (LKW) is associated with favorable outcomes in patients who meet DAWN/DEFUSE-3 criteria, it is unknown if more liberal criteria can be applied.MethodsA single center, prospective observational cohort of consecutive adult stroke patients was queried for symptomatic occlusions of the internal carotid (ICA) or proximal middle cerebral (M1) arteries (October 2019-January 2022), with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥6, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2, and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scale score 3-10. These inclusion criteria were extrapolated from recently published data indicating a benefit with EVT with more liberal patient selection. Patients who underwent EVT ≥24h after LKW were compared against those treated medically. The primary outcome was a good functional outcome (90-day mRS 0-2), which was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf the 27 included patients, the median age was 65y (IQR 49-76) with a median NIHSS of 15 (IQR 8-26), and 17 (63.0%) underwent EVT (median LKW-to-puncture 35.5h (IQR 26.9-65.8h). The primary outcome was no different with EVT in unadjusted regression (OR 1.17, 95%CI 0.17-8.09), and there remained no association across all multivariable models tested. Age, pre-stroke disability, and M1 occlusions were non-significantly associated with the primary outcome (p>0.05). There was a non-significant trend indicating a favorable shift in 90-day mRS with EVT (proportional OR 2.04, 95%CI 0.44-9.48).ConclusionsUsing more liberal inclusion criteria for EVT in the ultra-extended window, there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of good functional outcome with EVT. Larger studies are called upon to evaluate outcomes when more liberal criteria are used to assess thrombectomy eligibility.     

Multicenter,retrospective analysis of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in nonagenarians

Background: With the increasing age of acute stroke patients being admitted to hospitals, more data are needed on indications, complications and outcome of endovascular treatment (EVT) in the very elderly. Methods: Retrospective observational study with data collection from Belgian, Swiss, Canadian comprehensive stroke centers and Swedish EVT National database. All patients with acute ischemic stroke were eligible if aged older than or ≥90 years and treated with EVT ± pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Safety assessment comprised presence of periprocedural complications, hemorrhagic transformation or other adverse events (<7days). Efficacy and outcome measures were successful recanalization (modified Treatment In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score ≥2b), favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Score (mRS) 0-2) and 3-months mortality. Results: Inclusion of 112 nonagenarians (mean age 93.3 ± 2.5 years; 76.8% women; pre-mRS ≤2 in 69.4%). Pretreatment with IVT was performed in 54.7%. In 74.6% successful recanalization (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved. Favorable outcome (mRS ≤2) was seen in 16.4% and 3-months mortality was 62.3%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed younger age (odds ratio [OR] 2.99; 1.29-6.95; P = .011) and lower prestroke mRS (OR 13.46; 2.32-78.30; P = .004) as significant predictors for good clinical outcome at 90 days. Conclusions: Our observational study on EVT in nonagenarians demonstrates the need for careful patient selection. A substantial proportion of nonagenarians shows an unfavorable clinical outcome and high mortality, despite acceptable recanalization rates. A high prestroke disability (mRS) and advancing age predict an unfavorable outcome. Treatment decisions should be made on case-by-case evaluation, keeping in mind limited chances of favorable outcome and high risk of mortality.     

Stroke mimics treated with thrombolysis: further evidence on safety and distinctive clinical features

Background: Patients who present with symptoms mimicking ischaemic stroke (IS), but have a different diagnosis, are known as stroke mimics (SM). The necessity for rapid administration of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute IS may lead to treatment of patients with conditions mimicking stroke. A variable proportion of patients with SM (1.4-14%) are currently treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator therapy (IV-tPA). The outcome of these patients is generally favourable and complications are rather infrequent. We aimed to determine the frequency, clinical features and prognosis of SM patients treated with IV-tPA in an experienced stroke centre. Methods: A prospective registry was assembled with patients treated with IV-tPA at our stroke unit from January 2004 to December 2011. We recorded age, gender, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, treatment delay, vascular risk factors, clinical syndrome and aetiology. We retrospectively analysed the clinical characteristics of SM, safety (symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and mortality) and outcome measures (modified Rankin Scale at 3 months, mRS) and compared them with IS patients. Results: 621 patients were treated with IV-tPA during the study period, 606 (97.5%) were IS and 15 (2.4%) were SM. The aetiology of SM was somatoform disorders (5), headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL) syndrome (3), herpetic encephalitis (2), glial tumours (2), and migraine with aura, focal seizure and cortical vein thrombosis in single cases. SM were younger (72 ± 14 vs. 53.7 ± 16 years, p < 0.05), had a lower baseline deficit [NIHSS 13 (9-18) vs. 8 (5-10), p < 0.05], fewer vascular risk factors, and left hemisphere symptoms were predominant (80 vs. 52.4%, p < 0.05). Global aphasia without hemiparesis (GAWH) was the presenting symptom in 8 (54%) SM and 44 (7%) IS (p < 0.05). Multimodal computed tomography was performed in 3 SM patients and showed perfusion deficits in 2 of them. No intracranial haemorrhage or disability (functional outcome at 3 months, mRS >2) was recorded in any SM patient. Conclusions: The use of intravenous thrombolysis appears to be safe in our SM patients, and prognosis is universally favourable. Somatoform disorder and HaNDL syndrome were prominent causes, and GAWH the most common presentation. The safety of thrombolysis in SM suggests that delaying or withholding treatment may be inappropriate: the benefit of thrombolysis in case of IS may outweigh the risks of treating an SM. Further studies may assess the future role of multimodal computed tomography in the differential diagnosis between IS and SM.     

The long-term prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Evaluation of prognostic factors including plasma exchange

Fifty-two patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were re-examined .1–14 years (median 7 years) after the initial onset of symptoms. At the follow-up 38 patients (73%) reported being completely symptom-free. Neurological examination revealed that 11 patients (21%) had motor and 16 patients (31%) had sensory signs, mainly distal in the lower limbs. One patient (2%) had cranial nerve signs. Fifteen patients (29%) had areflexia, generally of the ankle jerks. Severe pareses (high maximal disability grade), long duration of maximal symptoms and recovery were significantly associated with persistent disability. Age, sex, preceding infection, latency between infection and the onset of disease, weakness as an initial symptom, autonomic dysfunction, speed of progression, electro-physiological signs of axonal degeneration, cerebrospinal-fluid protein concentration and treatment with plasma exchange did not significantly influence the disability grade at follow-up.     

颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂后中晚期手术的疗效分析

目的 比较颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂中、晚期显微手术夹闭的疗效并探讨中期治疗(4-10 d)的可行性.方法 回顾性分析了95例前循环动脉瘤破裂出血后4-10 d入院,且入院时Hunt-Hess分级Ⅰ～Ⅲ的患者,41例接受中期动脉瘤手术夹闭,54例接受晚期手术夹闭(11-30 d),以改良Rankin量表评分对患者预后进行评分.结果 出院后6个月,中期组30例(73.2%)患者预后良好(mRS 0～2级),而晚期组为42例(77.8%),两组差异无统计学意义.导致预后不良的最主要原因为动脉瘤破裂再出血.结论 颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂中期,积极闭塞动脉瘤可为患者获得良好的预后创造条件,尤其是临床状况良好的患者.     

入院血糖水平与急性缺血性脑卒中患者出院残疾、死亡和复合结局的关联

目的探讨入院时血糖水平与急性缺血性脑卒中患者出院残疾、死亡和复合结局的关联。方法采用回顾性队列研究的方法,连续性纳入2009年6月1日至2012年5月31日阜新市中心医院3 151例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,收集人口统计学、生活方式、入院时血糖水平等实验室检查结果。出院时脑卒中量表mRS≥3分为残疾,mRS≥3或死亡为复合结局。根据入院时血糖水平(<6.1mmol/L,6.1⁶.9 mmol/L,≥7.0 mmol/L)水平将研究对象分为3组,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析入院时血糖水平与急性缺血性脑卒中患者出院残疾、死亡和复合结局的关联。结果残疾组和死亡组的入院血糖水平和血糖升高率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);经多因素校正后,以第1组为参比,第3组增加了急性缺血性脑卒患者发生残疾、死亡和复合结局的风险,HR值和95%CI分别为1.58(1.286.9 mmol/L,≥7.0 mmol/L)水平将研究对象分为3组,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析入院时血糖水平与急性缺血性脑卒中患者出院残疾、死亡和复合结局的关联。结果残疾组和死亡组的入院血糖水平和血糖升高率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);经多因素校正后,以第1组为参比,第3组增加了急性缺血性脑卒患者发生残疾、死亡和复合结局的风险,HR值和95%CI分别为1.58(1.28¹.96)、4.13(2.541.96)、4.13(2.54⁶.70)和1.89(1.566.70)和1.89(1.56².29)并且随着血糖水平的增加急性缺血性脑卒患者发生残疾、死亡和复合结局的风险也增加(趋势性检验P<0.001)。结论急性缺血性脑卒中患者入院时血糖水平升高增加了出院残疾、死亡和复合结局发生的风险,并存在剂量反应关系。     

Clinical,electrodiagnostic, and outcome correlation in ALS patients in Thailand

Introduction: The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) requires both clinical and electrodiagnostic (EDx) data. The correlation between the two may aid in outcome prognostication.Methods: Retrospective review of patients with ALS in tow tertiary hospitals in Thailand.Results: Data from 25 ALS patients out of 38 patients with motor neuron disease was reviewed. Male was predominant with mean age of onset of 60.1 ± 10.7 years old. The average time from onset to diagnosis was 19.8 ± 21.5 months. Upper limb onset was the most common. Nerve conduction study showed lower median and ulnar compound muscle action potential amplitudes than tibial and peroneal ones. Electromyography (EMG) showed 40% of patients have EMG abnormalities in asymptomatic limbs. Neurophysiological evidence of “split hand” was frequent in upper limb phenotype. Sensory studies were abnormal in 16.3%. Most patients were classified in mRS 1 and 2 (73.9%) at the time of diagnosis which was statistically significant among subgroups. Bulbar and distal upper limb subtypes had a better prognosis. 5.4% of patients used mechanical ventilator; all in bulbar subgroup.Conclusion: In our ALS patients, upper limb onset was the most common. Time of presentation varied among phenotypes. Extensive EDx can contribute to early diagnosis in asymptomatic limb and improve diagnostic certainty. Abnormal sensory study was also common. EDx data clearly correlates with clinical phenomena and prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, ALSFRS was in moderate range and most patients had moderate disability.     

弥散张量成像对急性期皮质下脑梗死肢体运动功能恢复的预测

目的 对急性期内的运动功能残疾的皮质下脑梗死患者进行观察,探讨弥散张量纤维素成像(DTT)显示的锥体束累及程度等多个预测因素对运动功能改变的影响,以期发现最可靠和最密切的预测因素.方法 对82例急性脑梗死残疾患者(mRS评分≥3分),结合其基线临床特征、实验室与影像学等辅助检查及治疗方法 ,选取性别、年龄、高血压、糖尿病、高胆固醇血症、心房颤动或心绞痛史、吸烟史、酗酒史、初始残疾程度、同型半胱氨酸、C反应蛋白、治疗方式、梗死灶体积大小及锥体束累及程度作为观测指标,对患者发病后第90天的情况进行随访分析.结果 单因素差异检验采用x2检验,发现年龄(χ2=47.492,P＜0.01)、糖尿病(χ2=5.126,P=0.024)、高胆固醇血症(χ2=6.242,P=0.012)、初始残疾程度(χ2=45.359,P＜0.01)、锥体束累及程度(χ2=51.467,P＜0.01)均可影响残疾患者的康复.采用多因素Logistic回归分析对其进行多因素回归分析,结果提示年龄(OR=0.068,P=0.042)、锥体束累及程度(OR=0.026,P=0.002)是患者运动功能康复的独立预测因素,而糖尿病、高胆固醇血症、初始残疾程度无明显相关性.结论 通过DTT反映出的锥体束累及程度为对在急性期内的运动功能残疾的皮质下脑梗死患者的康复最有价值的预测因素.     

Conservative medical treatment and intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke from carotid T occlusion

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyse the course of early recanalization and corresponding functional outcome in patients with an acute occlusion of the carotid T who were treated conservatively or underwent intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: Forty-two patients with an acute occlusion of the carotid T within 6 h were recruited from consecutive admissions to a neurological department participating in the Duplex Sonography in Acute Stroke study. All patients underwent a standardized admission and follow-up procedure. Colour-coded duplex sonography was performed on admission, 30 min after thrombolysis, and at 6 and 24 h after onset of symptoms. Recanalization of the carotid T was classified as complete, partial and absent. Functional outcome was rated with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months as favourable (mRS 0-2) or poor (mRS 3-6). RESULTS: Within 6 h, complete or partial recanalization occurred in 1 of 27 patients treated conservatively and in 6 of 15 thrombolysed patients. Intravenous thrombolysis predicted early recanalization also after adjustment for age, sex, cardioembolic stroke aetiology and time to treatment (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 39.7; 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.0-801.7; p = 0.016). An early recanalization was the only selected predictor of a favourable outcome (OR, 13.6; 95% CI, 1.0-179.0; p = 0.047) at regression analysis, and was achieved in 3 thrombolysed patients but in none with conservative medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated conservatively, functional outcome is poor and early recanalization rarely occurs. The latter can be achieved by intravenous thrombolysis with a rate comparable to that found at an intra-arterial approach without major intracranial bleeding complications. Early recanalization is associated with a better functional outcome.     

Outcomes of basilar artery occlusion in patients aged 75?years or older in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study

Patients with an acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) have a high risk of long-lasting disability and death. Only limited data are available on functional outcome in elderly patients with BAO. Using data from the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study, we aimed to determine outcomes in patients ≥75?years. Primary outcome measure was poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score 4–6). Secondary outcomes were death, insufficient vessel recanalization (defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction score 0–1) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). Patients were divided into four age-groups, based on quartiles: 18–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥75?years. Outcomes were compared between patients ≥75?years and patients aged 18–54?years. Risk ratios with corresponding 95?% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and Poisson regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted risk ratios (aRR). We included 619 patients [18–54?years n?=?153 (25?%), 55–64?years n?=?133 (21?%), 65–74?years n?=?171 (28?%), and ≥75?years n?=?162 (26?%)]. Compared with patients aged 18–54?years, patients ≥75?years were at increased risk of poor functional outcome [aRR 1.33 (1.14–1.55)] and death [aRR 2.47 (1.75–3.51)]. Nevertheless, 35/162 (22?%, 95?% CI 15–28?%) of patients ≥75?years had good functional outcome. No significant differences between age groups were observed for recanalization rate and incidence of SICH. Although patients ≥75?years with BAO have an increased risk of poor outcome compared with younger patients, a substantial group of patients ≥75?years survives with a good functional outcome.     

Acute Stroke Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Pre-existing Disability Should Be Considered for Thrombolysis Treatment

Background

Thrombolytic therapy in patients with pre-existing disability presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is controversial because of concerns regarding poor outcomes and futility of treatment. We hypothesized that a similar proportion of patients with and without pre-existing disability would return to their premorbid functional status following thrombolysis.

Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Large-Vessel Occlusion due to Atherosclerotic Stenosis

ObjectivesEndovascular therapy (EVT) is safe and effective for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO). However, the influence of the AIS subtype (large-artery atherosclerosis [LAA] or cardioembolism [CE]) on clinical outcome in patients treated with EVT remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in clinical results between the two subtypes using data from a multicenter prospective registry (RESCUE-Japan Registry 2).Materials and MethodsAmong 2420 patients in RESCUE-Japan Registry, 682 patients who were diagnosed with LAA or CE were enrolled. The primary outcome was a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days. The secondary outcomes were 90-day mRS 0–1, 0–3, and 6. The relationship between time from onset and clinical outcome was also analyzed.ResultsAmong the 682 patients, 124 were classified into the LAA group and 558 into the CE group. The baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was significantly lower (median 15 vs. 18, p < 0.001). At 90 days, mRS 0–2 was observed in 54 of 124 patients (44%) in the LAA group and 232 of 558 patients (42%) in the CE group (p = 0.69). The proportion of patients with mRS 0–2 tended to decrease according to onset-to-puncture time in the CE group but not in the LAA group (p_trend=0.0007).ConclusionsThe rate of good outcome was similar between LVO due to LAA and CE. However, the rate of favorable outcome did not decrease according to onset-to-puncture time in the LAA group.