Efficacy and safety of ginsenoside-Rd for acute ischaemic stroke: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II multicenter trial

Background and purpose:  Ginsenoside-Rd is a selective competitive Ca²⁺ receptor antagonist. A phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of ginsenoside-Rd in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.
Methods:  A total of 199 patients were randomized equally to receive a 14-day infusion of placebo (group B), ginsenoside-Rd 10 mg (group A) or ginsenoside-Rd 20 mg (group C). Primary end-points were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 15 days. Secondary end-points were NIHSS scores and the Barthel Index at 8 days, the Barthel Index and the modified Rankin scale at 15 days and 90 days. The safety end-points included serious and non-serious adverse events, laboratory values and vital signs. Analysis was by intention to treat.
Results:  For the primary study outcome, there is significant difference amongst the three groups at 15 days in NIHSS scores ( P  = 0.0003). Comparing group A with B and group B with C, the difference in the mean for NIHSS was significant in statistics ( P  = 0.0004, P  = 0.0009 respectively). This is no significant difference between group A and C ( P  = 0.9640). For the secondary study outcome, ginsenoside-Rd did not improve neurological functioning. Incidence of serious and non-serious adverse events was similar amongst the three groups.
Conclusions:  Ginsenoside-Rd may be of some benefit in acute ischaemic stroke.     

Revascularization in acute ischaemic stroke using the penumbra system: the first single center experience

Background and purpose:  This is the first single center experience illustrating the effectiveness of the penumbra system (PS) in the treatment of large vessel occlusive disease in the arena of acute ischaemic stroke. The PS is an innovative mechanical thrombectomy device, employed in the revascularization of large cerebral vessel occlusions in patients via the utilization of an aspiration platform.
Methods:  This is a prospective, non-randomized controlled trial evaluating the clinical and functional outcome in 29 patients with acute intra-cranial occlusions consequent to mechanical thrombectomy by the PS either as mono-therapy or as an adjunct to current standard of care. Patients were evaluated by a neurologist and treated by our in house interventional neuro-radiologists. Primary end-points were revascularization of the occluded target vessel to TIMI grade 2 or 3 and neurological outcome as measured by an improvement in the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score after the procedure.
Results:  Complete revascularization (TIMI 3) was achieved in 21/29 (72.4%) of patients. Partial revascularization (TIMI 2) was established in 4/29 (13.8%) of patients. Revascularization failed in four (13.8%) patients. Nineteen (19) patients (65.5%) had at least a four-point improvement in NIHSS scores. Modified Rankin scale scores of ≤2 were seen in 37.9% of patients. There were no device-related adverse events. Symptomatic intra-cranial hemorrhage occurred in 7% of patients.
Conclusions:  The PS has the potential of exercising a significant impact in the interventional treatment of ischaemic stroke in the future.     

Serum VEGF levels in acute ischaemic strokes are correlated with long-term prognosis

Background and purpose:  We investigated whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in acute-stage ischaemic stroke patients with small vessel disease (SVD) or large vessel disease (LVD) are correlated with long-term prognoses, based on the difference in NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores between acute and chronic stages.
Methods:  From March 2007 to May 2008, we evaluated patients who experienced an ischaemic stroke for the first time, defined as SVD ( n  = 89) or LVD ( n  = 91) using the TOAST classification. Serum samples were taken immediately after admission (within 24 h of stroke onset) to evaluate VEGF levels. After 3 months, follow-up NIHSS scores were collected for all patients.
Results:  Serum VEGF levels in the acute stage (within 24 h of stroke onset) were higher in the LVD group than in the SVD group and were correlated with infarction volume. The increase in serum VEGF levels in the acute stage was proportional to an improved NIHSS score after 3 months. After adjustment for covariates, serum VEGF levels in the acute stage were still significantly correlated with the long-term prognosis of ischaemic stroke.
Conclusion:  Serum VEGF levels are correlated with long-term prognoses in acute ischaemic stroke patients.     

Plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for recurrent vascular events in young patients with an ischaemic stroke or TIA

Objectives Young patients with an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) often have no vascular risk factors. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an established risk factor for stroke in elderly patients but it is uncertain whether it is also important for the prognosis of young ischaemic stroke and TIA patients. We examined the possible effect of the plasma homocysteine level on the risk of recurrent vascular events in patients between 18 and 45 years of age. Methods The study population consisted of 161 consecutive patients with a recent cerebral infarction or TIA. Data on the primary event and the homocysteine level were collected retrospectively from hospital records. General practitioners and patients were contacted by telephone to record vascular events and the type of medication used during the follow–up period. Vascular events included cerebral infarction, TIA, pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease. Results A Kaplan- Meier curve showed a dose effect relationship between event-free survival time and tertiles of the homocysteine level (Log rank statistic 5.91; p = 0.05). The Cox hazard ratio, after adjustment for homocysteine lowering treatment, was 1.7 (95 % CI, 1.1 to 2.8) for any vascular outcome event, 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.0) for arterial outcome events and 1.8 (95 % CI, 1.1 to 2.9) for cerebral outcome events. Conclusions In spite of our small number of outcome events we found a significant association at the 95% confidence level between homocysteine level and the risk of recurrent vascular events in young patients with an ischaemic stroke or TIA. The association is of the same magnitude as in elderly people.     

急性脑梗死患者血清巨噬细胞移动抑制因子水平与病情程度相关性研究

目的测定急性脑梗死患者巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)水平,分析MIF与脑梗死病情程度之间的相关性。方法选取急性脑梗死患者60例和正常对照组19例。采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测血清MIF水平。同时检查、记录患者的入院和出院NIHSS评分,判断MIF与临床资料之间的相关性。结果与正常对照组比较,脑梗死组血清MIF水平明显降低,且轻、中、重度脑梗死组血清MIF水平均低于正常对照组。脑梗死患者血清MIF与NIHSS评分之间未发现明显相关关系;但随着脑梗死程度的加重,血清MIF水平有进一步降低的趋势。结论急性脑梗死患者血清MIF水平明显降低,在一定程度上反映了病情的严重程度,进一步证实炎症机制参与了脑梗死的病理过程。     

High prevalence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts in first-ever stroke patients with cardioembolic sources

Background:  With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis, we investigated the prevalence, clinical significance, and factors related to the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts in patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke.
Methods:  We consecutively included patients who were admitted with first-ever stroke. Unrecognized cerebral infarct was defined as an ischaemic infarction or primary intracerebral hemorrhage on MRI irrelevant to the index stroke, without acute lesions on diffusion-weighted image.
Results:  Of the total 203 patients, 78 (39.4%) patients were observed as having unrecognized cerebral infarct. Patients with high-risk cardioembolic sources (e.g., atrial fibrillation) more frequently had unrecognized stroke than those without ( P  = 0.008, 21/36 [58.3%] vs. 57/167 [34.1%]). On univariate analysis, male sex ( P  = 0.027) and cardioembolic source ( P  = 0.008) were associated with the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarcts. After adjustment for gender, age and risk factors, the presence of cardioembolic sources independently increased the risk of unrecognized cerebral infarct ( P  = 0.002, odds ratio 3.56, 95% confidence interval 1.58–8.02). Regarding clinical outcome at 3 months, the presence of unrecognized cerebral infarct was not associated with the poor clinical outcome.
Conclusion:  In our study, the presence of cardioembolic sources was an independent risk factor for the unrecognized cerebral infarct in patients with first-ever stroke.     

Arterial stiffness, metabolic syndrome and inflammation amongst Asian ischaemic stroke patients

Background and purpose:  Arterial stiffness and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are risk factors for ischaemic stroke. We studied the association of arterial stiffness, measured by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and MetS amongst ischaemic stroke patients. We also investigated the role of inflammation measured by serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the metabolic syndrome–arterial stiffness relationship.
Methods:  Amongst the 229 prospectively recruited acute ischaemic stroke patients, we measured carotid–femoral PWV using applanation tonometry and the inflammatory marker serum ESR.
Results:  Carotid–femoral PWV was significantly higher amongst patients with MetS ( P  = 0.002), increased waist circumference ( P  = 0.010), raised blood pressure ( P  < 0.001) and abnormal glycemia ( P  = 0.002); and increased with the number of MetS components ( P  = 0.002). In a sub-group of 199 patients, carotid–femoral PWV was significantly correlated with serum ESR ( P  < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis including serum ESR and MetS as variables, carotid–femoral PWV was independently associated with higher ESR ( P  = 0.002) but not with MetS ( P  = 0.139).
Conclusions:  Arterial stiffness is significantly associated with MetS amongst ischaemic stroke patients, and inflammation appears to be involved in this relationship.     

Intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients with hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign

Background and purpose:  We assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute stroke patients with hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS).
Patients and methods:  Data from consecutive patients with acute (within 6 h of symptom onset) ischaemic stroke admitted between January 1999 and November 2007, in whom HMCAS was diagnosed on admission CT scan was retrospectively analysed. Seventy-one patients, admitted within the 3-h window, were treated with IVT, whilst further 42, admitted 3–6 h after symptom onset, were not. At 3-month clinical follow-up, outcome, mortality at 3 months and incidence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage were evaluated.
Results:  The two groups were comparable concerning age, stroke risk factors, prior antithrombotic treatment and NIHSS scores on admission. Good outcome (mRS score ≤ 1) was observed in 12/71 (17%) patients who were treated with IVT and in 1/42 (2%) patients who were not ( P  = 0.02). IVT treatment was identified as independent predictor of good outcome ( P  = 0.05). Mortality was 20% in patients treated with IVT and 12% in remaining patients ( P  = 0.3). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 1 patient of each group (2%).
Conclusions:  These findings suggest that IVT in patients with HMCAS results in significantly better outcome, without significantly influencing mortality.     

Does smoking influence outcome after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke?

Background and purpose:  It remains uncertain whether current smoking influences outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.
Objectives:  To evaluate the effect of current smoking in routinely tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-treated stroke patients on the 3-month functional outcome and the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
Methods:  We analyzed data from a single stroke care unit registry of 345 consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke, treated with tPA. Logistic regression models were used to assess if smoking was independently associated with 3-months good outcome defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2, and the occurrence of symptomatic ICH.
Results:  In the multivariable models, smoking was not associated with a good outcome or a decreased risk of symptomatic ICH.
Conclusion:  Current smoking did not affect functional outcome at 3 months or the risk of symptomatic ICH in patients routinely treated with tPA for ischaemic stroke.     

Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Concentration Correlates with Infarct Volume but Not Prognosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: We studied serum neurofilaments diagnostic value in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or TIA and evaluated any correlation with symptom severity, cerebral infarction volume, aetiology, and clinical outcome. Methods: One hundred and thirty-six patients (101 with AIS, and 35 with TIA) were included. Acute-phase serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) was analyzed with a novel ultrasensitive single molecule array (Simoa). Cerebral infarction volume was measured from brain computed tomography in the subacute phase (>2 days). Stroke aetiology was defined by trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment classification, severity by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the degree of disability by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 90 days. Results: sNfL was markedly higher in patients with AIS (89.5 pg/mL [IQR: 44.7-195.3]) than with TIA (25.2 pg/mL [IQR: 14.6-48.0]), P= <.001), also after adjusting for age, NIHSS, and stroke volume (P= .003). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, sNfL concentration greater than or equal to 49 pg/mL proved to be the best cut-off value to differentiate between patients with stroke and those with TIA (sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 80%). sNfL concentration significantly correlated with cerebral infarction volume (r = .413, P= <.001), this association remained significant after adjusting for established predictors (P= .019). Patients with AIS due to cardioembolism or large artery atherosclerosis had the highest sNfL concentrations. NIHSS on admission (r = .343, P = <.001) and mRS scores after 3 months (r = .306, P = .004) correlated with sNfL concentration, however functional outcome 3 months after stroke was not associated with sNfL after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: Cases with stroke were distinguishable from those with TIA following the determination of sNfL in the blood samples. The presence and amount of axonal damage estimated by sNfL correlated with the final cerebral infarction volume but was not predictive of degree of disability.     

Vascular risk factor awareness before and pharmacological treatment before and after stroke and TIA

Background and purpose:  Educating the public to screen for vascular risk factors and have them treated is a major public health issue. We assessed the vascular risk factor awareness and frequency of treatment in a cohort of patients with cerebral ischaemia.
Methods:  Data on awareness and pharmacological treatment of vascular risk factors before hospital admission of patients with confirmed ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) were analyzed. A follow-up questionnaire assessed the frequency of treatment 1 year after discharge and assessed non-adherence to antithrombotic medication.
Results:  At time of stroke/TIA, individual awareness regarding existing hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) was 83%, 87%, 73% and 69% respectively ( n  = 558). Pharmacological treatment for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and AF was being administered in 80%, 77%, 37% and 62% of patients aware of their conditions. The follow-up was completed by 383 patients (80% recall rate): of the patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and AF, 89%, 78%, 45% and 86% were receiving risk factor targeted medication. This represents a significant increase concerning AF and hyperlipidemia. Non-adherence to recommended antithrombotics (15%) was higher in patients who had had a TIA.
Conclusions:  All risk factors leave room for improvement in screening and treatment efforts. Adherence to treatment is higher for hypertension and diabetes than for hyperlipidemia. Education efforts should bear in mind less well recognized risk factors.     

Optimizing the risk estimation after a transient ischaemic attack – the ABCDE⊕ score

Background and purpose: The risk of stroke after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) can be predicted by scores incorporating age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration (ABCD‐score), and diabetes (ABCD2‐score). However, some patients have strokes despite a low predicted risk according to these scores. We designed the ABCDE+ score by adding the variables ‘etiology’ and ischaemic lesion visible on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) –‘DWI‐positivity’– to the ABCD‐score. We hypothesized that this refinement increases the predictability of recurrent ischaemic events. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study amongst all consecutive TIA patients in a university hospital emergency department. Area under the computed receiver‐operating curves (AUCs) were used to compare the predictive values of the scores with regard to the outcome stroke or recurrent TIA within 90 days. Results: Amongst 248 patients, 33 (13.3%, 95%‐CI 9.3–18.2%) had a stroke (n = 13) or a recurrent TIA (n = 20). Patients with recurrent ischaemic events more often had large‐artery atherosclerosis as the cause for TIA (46% vs. 14%, P < 0.001) and positive DWI (61% vs. 35%; P = 0.01) compared with patients without recurrent events. Patients with and those without events did not differ with regard to age, clinical symptoms, duration, blood pressure, risk factors, and stroke preventive treatment. The comparison of AUCs [95%CI] showed superiority of the ABCDE+ score (0.67[0.55–0.75]) compared to the ABCD²‐score (0.48[0.37–0.58]; P = 0.04) and a trend toward superiority compared to the ABCD‐score (0.50[0.40–0.61]; P = 0.07). Conclusion: In TIA patients, the addition of the variables ‘etiology’ and ‘DWI‐positivity’ to the ABCD‐score seems to enhance the predictability of subsequent cerebral ischaemic events.     

血清正五聚蛋白3、超敏C反应蛋白水平与急性脑梗死患者的病情严重程度及预后的关系

目的 探讨急性脑梗死患者血清正五聚蛋白3(PTX3)和超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平与急性脑梗死患者的病情严重程度及预后的关系。方法 选择发病24 h内急性脑梗死患者151例为脑梗死组,同时选取同期于本院体检健康人群103例为对照组; 检测和比较2组血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平; 比较NIHSS≥5分和NIHSS<5分的患者血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平以及mRS≤2分和mRS>2分患者的血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平; 分析血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平与急性脑梗死患者NIHSS评分和mRS评分的关系以及两者对于脑梗死的严重程度和预后的预测价值。结果 与对照组比较,脑梗死组急性期血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平均明显升高(P<0.05); 与脑梗死组NIHSS<5分患者比较,NIHSS≥5分患者急性期血清PTX3、hs-CR水平升高(P<0.05); 脑梗死组mRS>2分患者急性期血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平亦均高于mRS≤2分的患者(P<0.05); 急性脑梗死患者血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平与其 NIHSS和mRS得分均呈正相关(PTX3:r_s=0.471,0.451; hs-CRP:r_s=0.381,0.320; P<0.05); ROC曲线分析显示急性脑梗死患者急性期血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平对于脑梗死的严重程度和预后的预测价值均良好,但以血清PTX3水平预测脑梗死严重程度及预后的价值最优。结论 急性脑梗死患者急性期血清PTX3、hs-CRP水平与脑梗死的严重程度和预后均相关,且均对其预后的预测价值良好,但以血清PTX3水平的预测价值更优。     

The beneficial effect of statins treatment by stroke subtype

Background and purpose:  Statins have shown some protective effect after ischaemic stroke in observational studies. However, this effect has never been assessed by etiological subtypes.
Methods:  Observational study using data from the Stroke Unit Data Bank from consecutive patients with cerebral infarction. Variables analyzed: demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment with statins at stroke onset, stroke severity, stroke subtype, in-hospital complications, length of stay, and functional status at discharge (modified Rankin Scale).
Results:  A total of 2742 patients were included, 1539 were men. Mean age was 69.17 years (SD 12.19). Of these, 281 patients (10.2%) were receiving statins when admitted. The logistic regression analyses showed that previous treatment with statins was an independent predictor for better outcome at discharge among all strokes (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.39 to 3.1) as well as for the atherothrombotic (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.33 to 5.84) and lacunar strokes (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.52) after adjustment for demographic data, risk factors, previous treatments, stroke subtypes, stroke severity, in-hospital complications and length of stay. This benefit was not observed either in cardioembolic or in other etiology strokes.
Conclusions:  Previous treatment with statins is an independent factor associated with good outcomes in patients with ischaemic stroke. Atherothrombotic and small vessel strokes show the greatest benefit.     

Lesion patterns in patients with cryptogenic stroke with and without right-to-left-shunt

Background and purpose:  Despite numerous studies, the role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) as a risk factor for stroke due to paradoxical embolism is still controversial. On the assumption that specific lesion patterns, in particular multiple acute ischaemic lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, indicate a cardioembolic origin, we compared the MRI findings in stroke patients with right-to-left shunt (RLS) and those without.
Methods:  The records of 486 patients with diagnosis of cerebral ischaemia were reviewed. For detection of RLS, contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) was carried out in all patients. An MRI scan of the brain was performed in all patients. Affected vascular territories were divided into anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, vertebrobasilar artery system including posterior cerebral artery, brain stem and cerebellar stroke, and strokes occurring in more than one territory.
Results:  We did not find a specific difference in neuroradiological lesion patterns in patients with RLS compared with patients without RLS. In particular, 23 of 165 patients (13.9%) with RLS showed multiple ischaemic lesions on MRI in comparison with 45 of 321 patients (14.0%) without RLS ( P  = 0.98). These findings also applied for the subgroup of cryptogenic strokes with and without RLS.
Conclusion:  We found no association between an ischaemic lesion pattern that is considered as being typical for stroke due to cardiac embolism and the existence of PFO. Therefore, our findings do not provide any support for the common theory of paradoxical embolism as a major cause of stroke in PFO carriers.     

Health status and life satisfaction after decompressive craniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction

Objectives –  To study the long-term outcome in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction treated with decompressive craniectomy. The outcome is described in terms of survival, impairment, disabilities and life satisfaction.
Materials and methods –  Patients were examined at a minimum of 1 year (mean 2.9, range 1–6) after the surgery and classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), the National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS), the Barthel Index (BI), the short-form health survey (SF-36) and the life satisfaction checklist (LiSat-11).
Results –  Eighteen patients were included. The long-term survival was 78%. The mean NIHSS score was 13.8 (range 6–20). No patient was left in a vegetative state. The mean BI was 63.9 (5-100). The SF-36 scores showed that the patients' view of their health was significantly lower in most items compared with that of a reference group. According to the LiSat checklist, 83% found their life satisfying/rather satisfying and 17% found their life rather dissatisfying/dissatisfying.
Conclusion –  We conclude that the patients remained in an impaired neurological condition, but had fairly good insight into their limitations. Although their life satisfaction was lower compared with that of the controls, the majority felt that life in general could still be satisfying.     

血清高敏C反应蛋白水平与脑梗死关系的研究

目的探讨血清高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)水平与脑梗死病情及预后的关系。方法测定90例急性脑梗死患者入院时血清hsCRP含量,观察梗死灶大小不同、神经功能缺损程度不同时含量变化,应用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)及Barthel指数(BI)分别对患者入院时及治疗6个月后进行评分,并将血清hsCRP水平与NIHSS及BI评分进行相关性分析。同时选取80例健康体检人员血清hsCRP含量进行对照。结果脑梗死患者血清hsCRP含量明显高于健康对照组(P<0.01);脑梗死血清hsCRP水平越高,梗死灶越大,神经功能缺损程度越重;患者血清hsCRP水平与入院时NIHSS呈显著正相关(P<0.01),与6个月后BI评分呈显著负相关(P<0.01)。结论血清hsCRP水平是临床评价脑梗死严重程度和预后的一个重要生物学指标。     

Increased serum concentrations of Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in patients and rats with ischemic stroke

ObjectivesAlthough Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) shows protection in multiple cells, the role of circulating MANF in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the value of circulating MANF levels in cerebral ischemic events.Materials and methodsUsing a rat cerebral ischemic model, MANF expression in ischemic brains and serum was detected. 50 AIS patients, 56 TIA patients and 48 controls were enrolled, and MANF mRNA, inflammatory cytokines and MANF concentrations in serum and different blood cell types were detected. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) were used to evaluate stroke severity. Cerebrovascular recurrence within 90 d was documented during TIA follow-up.ResultsMANF expression increased at 2h, peaking at 24h and decreased to baseline at 7d in rat ischemic brains and serum. Serum MANF concentrations increased at 24h and 7d in AIS patients compared to controls and were correlated with NIHSS score, ASPECTS and inflammatory cytokines. MANF protein was present in blood cells, while MANF mRNA levels did not differ between AIS patients and controls. MANF levels revealed a good value to diagnose TIA with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.949 (95% CI: 0.9093-0.9892). MANF levels were lower in TIA patients with recurrence compared to non-recurrence patients. The AUC for MANF to predict a re-event was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.6746-0.9282).ConclusionsSerum MANF levels correlate with neuroprotection, stroke severity, inflammation, and TIA recurrence.     

丁苯酞氯化钠注射液治疗超静脉溶栓时间窗急性脑梗死的疗效观察

目的探讨丁苯酞氯化钠注射液治疗超静脉溶栓时间窗急性脑梗死的疗效。方法回顾性分析2018-06—2019-11武汉市武昌医院治疗的超静脉溶栓时间窗急性脑梗死住院患者110例,随机分为对照组和观察组,2组患者均接受抗血小板聚集、降脂及保护神经等对症支持治疗,观察组患者加用丁苯酞氯化钠注射液治疗14 d。观察治疗前后2组患者血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、脂联素(APN)水平、NIHSS评分的变化,比较2组患者90 d mRS评分变化。结果丁苯酞氯化钠注射液治疗14 d后,观察组较对照组血清hs-CRP降低、APN水平升高、NIHSS评分降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。90 d后观察组mRS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论丁苯酞氯化钠注射液治疗超时间窗急性脑梗死患者,能够促进受损神经功能恢复,改善患者远期临床预后。     

Ultrasound, atherosclerosis and stroke at a young age: a cross-sectional long-term follow-up in western Norway

Background and purpose:  Previous studies have shown significantly higher mortality and vascular morbidity amongst patients with ischaemic stroke onset at a young age compared with controls after a mean observation time of more than 11 years.
Methods:  In the present cross-sectional study, we measured the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in 140 (75%) of 187 survivors of ischaemic stroke after a mean observation time of 11.9 years. Their mean age when included was 41.1 years. IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography.
Results:  Total maximum IMT <1.0 mm was found in 34 (24%) patients, [1.0–1.2 mm) in 29 (21%) patients, [1.2–1.5 mm) in 29 (21%) patients and ≥1.5 mm in 48 (34%) patients. Increasing total maximum IMT was related to increasing age, male gender, recurrent ischaemic stroke, coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis, smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Discussion:  IMT changes confirm increased vascular morbidity in patients who suffered ischaemic stroke at a young age.