后循环梗死的临床特点及危险因素分析

目的阐明后循环梗死常见临床症状、体征及危险因素。方法分析2008年10月-2011年10月在本院神经内科住院的急性后循环梗死患者61例资料。结果患者常见的症状头晕(54.1%)、偏侧肢体无力(45.9%)、恶心及呕吐(39.3%)和言语不清(31.1%);少见症状为视物成双(4.9%)、抽搐(4.9%)及记忆障碍(4.9%)。常见的体征为单侧或双侧肢体运动障碍(45.9%)、共济失调(29.5%)、交叉性瘫痪(3.3%)和眼球活动障碍(4.9%)。在所调查的危险因素中,高血压(72.1%)、高脂血症(63.9%)、糖尿病(36.1%)、既往卒中史(31.2%)及心脏病(27.9%)。结论后循环梗死临床表现复杂,常见的症状为头晕、偏侧肢体无力、恶心及呕吐、言语不清,常见体征为肢体运动障碍,高血压为后循环梗死的主要危险因素,特征性临床表现及体征有助于后循环梗死的诊断及治疗。     

孤立性眩晕起病的后循环缺血性脑卒中患者临床分析

目的 探讨后循环缺血性脑卒中的患者中最初仅表现为孤立性眩晕的患者的临床特点.方法 回顾性分析阜新市中心医院2018-08—2019-08以孤立性眩晕起病的后循环缺血性脑卒中患者13例,对13例以孤立性眩晕起病的后循环缺血性脑卒中患者的危险因素、临床表现、磁共振特点及预后进行回顾性分析.结果 13例患者的发病危险因素主要...     

Use of 3-Dimensional,Black-Blood,Contrast-Enhanced,T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Identify Vascular Occlusion in the Posterior Circulation After Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Three-dimensional, black-blood, contrast-enhanced, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (3D-BB-ceT1-MRI) could play a role in detection of thrombi and symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. We investigated the role of 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI in patients with acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation, and compared our findings with those from susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI for patients between January 2017 and August 2018 with acute ischemic symptoms in the posterior circulation. During this period, 199 patients with acute infarction in the posterior circulation were enrolled. Time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography or cerebral angiography was used as the reference standard. Results: Of these 199 patients, 47 had vessel occlusion associated with acute infarction. The sensitivity of 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI for detection of vessel occlusion was significantly higher than that of SWI (95.7% versus 53.2%, P < .001). Twenty-one lesions with strong enhancement on 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI showed a negative susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on SWI. Conclusions: 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI showed strong enhancement (due to contrast stagnation) in the intra-arterial thrombi of patients with acute infarction in the posterior circulation. 3D-BB-ceT1-MRI had higher sensitivity than that of an SVS on SWI for detection of intra-arterial thrombi.     

注射用尤瑞克林治疗急性后循环梗死的疗效分析

目的 观察静脉注射人尿激肽原酶（尤瑞克林）对急性后循环梗死患者的疗效。方法 选择后循环梗死的急性期患者68例,随机分为尤瑞克林治疗组（人尿激肽原酶治疗14d）和对照组,观察两组患者在治疗前及治疗后14d、90d的神经功能缺损评分。结果 尤瑞克林治疗组和对照组患者在治疗14d、90d后神经功能缺损程度均有不同程度改善,而使用人尿激肽原酶组患者在治疗后的神经功能恢复情况较对照组有明显改善。结论 人尿激肽原酶可能有助于改善后循环梗死患者的临床预后。     

后循环脑梗死的临床和影像学分析

目的 研究后循环脑梗死的影像学表现、病因、危险因素、临床表现、责任病灶及预后的特点。方法 收集自2007年9月至2010年3月在我院住院治疗的53例后循环脑梗死病例的临床资料,总结患者的临床症状和体征,分析其影像学表现、病因和危险因素,根据Caplan使用的后循环供血区分段标准,将患者分为近段组、中段组、远段组、混合组四组。所有患者的预后均进行改良Rankin残障量表（mRS）评估,了解患者的预后情况。结果 后循环梗死最常见的症状为眩晕28例（52.8%）,恶心、呕吐23例（43.4%）,肢体瘫痪21例（39.6%）,言语不利17例（32.1%）;最常见的体征是中枢性面舌瘫31例（58.5％）,运动障碍21例（39.6％）,感觉障碍17例（32.1％）及共济失调15例（28．3％）;最常见的危险因素包括高血压、糖尿病、吸烟、饮酒、心脏病变、脂代谢异常。其中中段组发病率最高21例（39.6%）,其次为远段组13例（24.5%）,混合组10例（18.9%）,近段组9例（17.0%）。根据mRS评估,34.0%的患者预后不良。结论 后循环梗死的临床表现复杂多变,最常见的病变部位在中段,特征性临床表现和临床综合征有助于后循环脑梗死的诊断,大部分患者预后良好。     

Endovascular vs. medical therapy in symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aims to compare percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to medical treatment (MT) for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis (SVAS) treatment. We searched PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, Cochrane Central, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Biological Medicine databases. All relevant comparative trials were included. All summary estimates were calculated by random-effect models. Ten comparative trials involving 672 patients were identified. Within 30-day follow-up, there was no significant difference between PTA plus MT and MT alone in vascular death, any stroke, posterior circulation TIA, posterior circulation infarction, and ischemic stroke (all P > 0.05). With a follow-up of more than 1 year, no significant difference was found between PTA plus MT and MT alone in all-cause death (3 vs. 7 %, P = 0.24), vascular death (4 vs. 7 %, P = 0.34), posterior circulation stroke (5 vs. 8 %, P = 0.48), posterior circulation ischemic events (8 vs. 25 %, P = 0.23), posterior circulation TIA (10 vs. 38 %, P = 0.11), posterior circulation infarction (6 vs. 12 %, P = 0.51), vertebral artery occlusion (6 vs. 12 %, P = 0.58), and in secondary long-term events, including any stroke, anterior circulation stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and myocardial infarction (all P > 0.05), although PTA plus MT could largely reduce the vertebral artery stenosis rate [MD 63.05 %, 95 % CI (32.77–93.34 %), P < 0.01]. Hence, PTA plus MT may be not superior to MT alone for SVAS treatment. Larger randomized trials are needed to verify the optimum therapy for SVAS.     

Factors Associated with Hemorrhagic Transformation in Infarctions Involving the Posterior Circulation System

Backgrounds and Purpose: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) following stroke of the posterior circulation is a rare occurrence, and its risk factors remain relatively unknown. This study aimed at examining the rate of HT and its risk factors in patients enduring acute ischemic stroke in the territories of the vertebral, basilar, and posterior-cerebral arteries. Materials and Methods: A total of 217 consecutive patients the risk factors for ischemic stroke were recorded and comprehensive biochemical, cardiac assessments, and neuroimaging were performed. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were calculated for each patient. Those with HT as documented with neuroimaging based on the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study criteria and potential risk factors were assessed. Results: There were 217 participants with a mean age of 67.33 ± 12.44 years. Among 17 patients (7.8%) developing HT, 8 (47%) had parenchymal hematoma, and 9(53.5%) had hemorrhagic infarction. Cardioembolism was the most frequent etiological factor both in the overall group (31.0%) as well as in those with HT (41.2%). Factors that emerged as significant predictors of HT included high systolic (odds ratio [OR] 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.20; P< .001) and diastolic blood pressure (P= .001) on the day of admission and the infarction volume of greater than or equal to 3.60 ± 3.29 cm³(OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.01; P< .001). While NIHSS scores were not significantly different on Day 1, HT patients had higher NIHSS scores at Day 10(OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09-1.36; P< .001), and this difference was also reflected in mRS at the end of the 3 month period. Conclusion: HT is a rare complication of the infarction of the posterior circulation that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Identification of predictive factors for HT in patients with the acute infarction of the posterior circulation may facilitate patient selection for thrombolytic treatment.     

基底节区进展性脑梗死侧支循环形成及其对近期神经功能缺失的影响

目的探讨基底节区进展性脑梗死脑侧支循环形成及其对近期神经功能缺失的影响。方法将该院收治的200例基底节区进展性脑梗死患者作为研究对象,在其入院后均采用头部CT血管造影(CTA)评估患者侧支循环建立情况,根据患者是否建立侧支循环将其分为侧支循环建立组和无侧支循环建立组,并以美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评估其入院时、卒中进展时和侧支循环建立后的神经功能缺损情况,探讨不同分级侧支循环、不同侧支循环开放类型的脑梗死患者神经功能缺失情况。结果 200例基底节区进展性脑梗死患者中有146例患者成功建立侧支循环,54例患者无侧支循环建立。侧支循环建立组在入院时和卒中进展时的NIHSS评分与无侧支循环建立组比较,差异均不显著(P 0.05);治疗2周时NIHSS评分低于无侧支循环建立组(P 0.05)。3～4级侧支循环患者在入院时和卒中进展时的NIHSS评分与1～2级侧支循环患者比较,差异均不显著(P 0.05);治疗2周时NIHSS评分低于1～2级侧支循环患者(P 0.05)。前循环脑梗死患者侧支循环建立数多于后循环脑梗死患者(P 0.05)。前循环脑梗死患者入院时和卒中进展时的NIHSS评分与后循环脑梗死患者比较,差异均不显著(P 0.05);治疗2周时NIHSS评分低于后循环脑梗死患者(P 0.05)。结论脑侧支循环形成可改善基底节区进展性脑梗死患者近期神经功能缺失情况。     

Predictors of outcome after acute ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to determine which variables should be the predictors for clinical outcome at discharge and sixth month after acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients, each with an acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, were evaluated within 24 h of symptom onset. We divided our patients into two groups; 1 - Independent (Rankin scale RS < or = 2) and, 2 - Dependent (RS>3) and death. Baseline characteristics, clinical variables, risk factors, infarct subtypes and radiologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS) on admission <6.5 [odds ratio (OR) 22] and posterior circulation infarction (OR 4.2) were associated with a poor outcome at discharge from hospital whereas only a CNS score <6.5 (OR 14) was associated with a poor outcome at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of neurologic deficit is the most important indicator for clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke both at short-term and at sixth month, whereas posterior circulation infarction also predicts a poor outcome at discharge.     

Toward a further elucidation: role of vertebral artery hypoplasia in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Congenital vertebral artery (VA) hypoplasia is an uncommon embryonic variation of posterior circulation. The frequency of this congenital variation was reported to be 2-6% from autopsy and angiograms. The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of VA hypoplasia in acute ischemic stroke. METHOD: We examined 191 acute ischemic stroke patients (age 55.8 +/- 14.0 years). TOAST subtypes were determined. A cervical magnetic resonance angiogram was performed in every patient. A duplex study of bilateral VA with flow velocities and vessel diameter recording in the intertransverse (V2) segment was performed within 72 h after onset of ischemic stroke. The net VA flow volume was measured in each subject. RESULT: The overall incidence of a unilateral congenital hypoplastic VA was 11.51%, which was statistically higher especially in cases of brainstem/cerebellar infarction. Of these, subjects with VA hypoplasia had an etiological preponderance of the 'large-artery atherosclerosis' subtype and a topographic preponderance of ipsilateral posterior circulation infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, VA hypoplasia seemed a contributing factor of acute ischemic stroke, especially in posterior circulation territories.     

Vertebral artery stump syndrome in acute ischemic stroke

Although the carotid artery stump as an embolic source for ischemic stroke has been well described, there have been few systematic reports of a similar syndrome in the posterior circulation (PC) after vertebral artery (VA) origin occlusion. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and characteristics of acute ischemic stroke with VA stump syndrome. Of 3463 consecutive patients who were admitted within 7 days after onset, 865 patients with acute ischemic stroke in the PC were enrolled. The diagnostic criteria of VA stump syndrome included: (1) acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation; (2) the VA origin occlusion identified on MRA, duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, and/or conventional angiography; (3) presence of distal antegrade flow in the ipsilateral VA; and (4) absence of other causes of ischemic stroke. Of the 865 patients with PC stroke, 12 (1.4%) were diagnosed as having VA stump syndrome. The ischemic lesions included the cerebellum in all patients. Nine patients had multiple ischemic lesions in the brain stem, thalamus, or posterior lobe other than cerebellum. On duplex ultrasound, a to-and-fro flow pattern was observed in the culprit VA in 10 patients. Three patients had recurrences of ischemic stroke in the PC during the acute phase. VA stump syndrome was not a rare mechanism of PC stroke, and there was a high rate of stroke recurrence during the acute phase. Vascular assessment by a multimodality approach can be used to promptly detect VA stump syndrome.     

Decompressive craniectomy in childhood posterior circulation stroke: a case series and review of the literature

Few reports address the role of decompressive craniectomy in children with space-occupying cerebral edema attributable to severe ischemic infarction of the posterior cerebral arterial circulation. We describe four children with posterior circulation arterial ischemic stroke who required decompressive craniectomy. These children accounted for 11% of all cases of posterior circulation ischemic stroke at our institution from 2002-2010. Three manifested large, cerebellar hemispheric infarcts, and one manifested a large, temporo-occipital posterior cerebral artery infarct. Deterioration occurred within 72 hours of stroke onset. Two patients demonstrated minimal functional deficits at follow-up, and two demonstrated moderate deficits with functional limitations. Because decompressive craniectomy can be lifesaving in children with severe posterior circulation arterial ischemic stroke, early neurosurgical referral should be considered.     

Association between vertebrobasilar artery geometry and vertebrobasilar stenosis,recurrence, and death in posterior circulation stroke and transient ischemic attack

BackgroundIntracranial atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of posterior circulation stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), particularly in people of South and East Asian heritage. Focal vessel geometry may play a role in atherosclerosis progression. Thus, we investigated the relevance of vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) geometry and vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis, recurrence, and death in posterior circulation stroke and TIA.MethodsFour hundred and twenty patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke or TIA were included. The VBA geometric features, comprising the geometric configurations (Tuning fork, Walking, Lambda, and No confluence), vascular bends (multi-bending and oligo-bending), and VBA stenosis degrees, were defined based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Recurrence of stroke or TIA and death were assessed through a 1-year follow-up. Additionally, the relationship between VBA geometric features, VBA stenosis, and prognosis were analyzed.ResultsWalking type and vascular multi-bending showed significant associations with more severe VBA stenosis and distribution, and these were also more frequently observed in patients with large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke (all P < 0.05). Sixty-four patients exhibited recurrent stroke or TIA, and 31 died during the 1-year follow-up. In the binary logistic regression analysis, Walking type (P = 0.018), Lambda type (P = 0.021), and multi-bending type (P = 0.004) were found to be independently associated with stroke recurrence, while No confluence type was independently associated with death (P = 0.010).ConclusionsThe geometric characteristics of the VBA are associated with vertebrobasilar stenosis, LAA stroke, 1-year recurrence, and death in posterior circulation stroke and TIA. VBA geometry may be used to stratify the risk of stroke and TIA in the posterior circulation.     

Stroke Chameleons and Stroke Mimics in the Emergency Department

Purpose of Review

We discuss the frequency of stroke misdiagnosis in the emergency department (ED), identify common diagnostic pitfalls, describe strategies to reduce diagnostic error, and detail ongoing research.

Recent Findings

The National Academy of Medicine has re-defined and highlighted the importance of diagnostic errors for patient safety. Recent rates of stroke under-diagnosis (false-negative cases, “stroke chameleons”) range from 2–26% and 30–43% for stroke over-diagnosis (false-positive cases, “stroke mimics”). Failure to diagnosis stroke can preclude time-sensitive treatments and has been associated with poor outcomes. Strategies have been developed to improve detection of posterior circulation stroke syndromes, but ongoing work is needed to reduce under-diagnosis in other atypical stroke presentations. The published rates of harm associated with stroke over-diagnosis, particularly thrombolysis of stroke mimics, remain low.

Summary

Additional strategies to improve the accuracy of stroke diagnosis should focus on rapid clinical reasoning in the time-sensitive setting of acute ischemic stroke and identifying imperfections in the healthcare system which may contribute to diagnostic error.

     

Migraine-Associated Common Genetic Variants Confer Greater Risk of Posterior vs. Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke☆

ObjectiveTo examine potential genetic relationships between migraine and the two distinct phenotypes posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCiS) and anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACiS), we generated migraine polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and compared these between PCiS and ACiS, and separately vs. non-stroke control subjects.MethodsAcute ischemic stroke cases were classified as PCiS or ACiS based on lesion location on diffusion-weighted MRI. Exclusion criteria were lesions in both vascular territories or uncertain territory; supratentorial PCiS with ipsilateral fetal posterior cerebral artery; and cases with atrial fibrillation. We generated migraine PRS for three migraine phenotypes (any migraine; migraine without aura; migraine with aura) using publicly available GWAS data and compared mean PRSs separately for PCiS and ACiS vs. non-stroke control subjects, and between each stroke phenotype.ResultsOur primary analyses included 464 PCiS and 1079 ACiS patients with genetic European ancestry. Compared to non-stroke control subjects (n=15396), PRSs of any migraine were associated with increased risk of PCiS (p=0.01–0.03) and decreased risk of ACiS (p=0.010–0.039). Migraine without aura PRSs were significantly associated with PCiS (p=0.008–0.028), but not with ACiS. When comparing PCiS vs. ACiS directly, migraine PRSs were higher in PCiS vs. ACiS for any migraine (p=0.001–0.010) and migraine without aura (p=0.032–0.048). Migraine with aura PRS did not show a differential association in our analyses.ConclusionsOur results suggest a stronger genetic overlap between unspecified migraine and migraine without aura with PCiS compared to ACiS. Possible shared mechanisms include dysregulation of cerebral vessel endothelial function.     

脑卒中后焦虑患者健康相关生存质量及其相关因素

目的:探讨脑卒中后焦虑(PSA)患者健康相关生存质量(HRQOL)及其相关因素。方法:对317例不同临床类型缺血性脑卒中患者进行临床神经功能缺损程度、脑卒中专门化生存质量量表(SS-QOL)评分,对符合PSA诊断的患者进行Hamilton焦虑量表评分;分析与HRQOL相关的因素。结果:PSA发生率为45.11%(143例);不同卒中类型患者PSA发生率差异无统计学意义,SS-QOL评分由低到高依次为完全前循环梗死型、部分前循环梗死型、后循环梗死型及腔隙性梗死型,各型间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。除语言因子外,PSA组SS-QOL总分及其他各因子明显低非PSA组(P0.05或0.01);焦虑程度重、女性、60岁、未婚或丧偶、高中以上文化程度、家庭月收入2000元、神经功能缺损程度重和住院期间由护工照顾与HRQOL呈相关性。结论:PSA发生率较高,性别、年龄、婚姻状况、文化程度、家庭月收入、神经功能缺损程度、照顾者及焦虑程度是影响PSA患者HRQOL的因素。     

Prognosis of Subtypes of Acute Large Artery Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction by Evaluation of Established Collateral Circulation

Background: The prognosis of acute ischemic stroke is related to collateral circulation, which is different with different pathogenesis. Objective: To explore the prognosis of acute large atherosclerotic (LAA) cerebral infarction with different pathogenesis by assessing the establishment of collateral circulation. Methods: 108 patients with acute LAA cerebral infarction in our hospital, who failed to thrombolytic or thrombectomy in the acute phase were selected and classified by Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification (CISS). They were evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). CT angiography (CTA) of head and neck were used to evaluate the collateral circulation for patients with large vessel stenosis or occlusion within one week of admission. The CTA collateral scores (CS) were recorded in a dichotomized fashion (ie, poor vs good). Results: Patients with good CS had significantly lower NIHSS score and good prognosis at 2 weeks and 3 months than patients with poor CS (P < 0.001). The arterial-to-arterial embolization mechanism was the highest in the ratio of good CS and good prognosis at 3 months (P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline NIHSS score (OR=1.407, 95%CI:1.153–1.717, P=0.001) was an independent factor affecting poor CS. The NIHSS score at baseline (OR=0.604, 95%CI:0.436–0.837, P=0.002) and good CS (OR=39.552, 95%CI:8.908–175.618, P=0.000) were important predictors of good prognosis at 3 months. Conclusion: The prognosis and collateral circulation of acute LAA cerebral infarction with different pathogenesis was different. Baseline NIHSS score and collateral circulation had great impact on prognosis at 3 months.     

急性脑梗死早期OCSP分型研究☆

目的验证OCSP(OxfordshireCommunityStrokeProject)分型法在急性脑梗死临床中的使用价值.方法回顾分析我院近2年202例急性脑梗塞早期OCSP分型情况及影像学特征.结果OCSP分型与影像学结果有良好对应关系;我院急性脑梗死的亚型构成脑隙性脑梗塞占65.3%,部分前循环梗塞19.3%,完全前循环梗塞9.9%,后循环梗塞5.4%.结论OCSP法可用于急性脑梗死的早期分型、指导治疗、评估预后;我国急性脑梗死的亚型构成中轻型病例多,重型少.     

Pure midbrain ischemia and hypoplastic vertebrobasilar circulation

Isolated midbrain infarction is rare and little is known about etiology and patient’s long-term follow up. We aimed to describe the clinical features, the causative diseases and the outcome of patients with isolated midbrain infarction who were admitted to our center, focusing on vascular abnormalities of posterior circulation. All patients with first acute ischemic stroke limited to the midbrain were included and their demographic features, neurological symptoms, neuroimaging data, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Functional outcome, using modified Rankin scale, was assessed at discharge and at the 3 month follow up evaluation. We found nine patients with acute isolated midbrain infarction, representing 0.61 % of all ischemic stroke admitted to our center. The most common cause of stroke was small-vessel disease (88.8 %). At stroke onset, none of the patients had consciousness disturbances, and four patients (44.4 %) had gait impairment, five patients (55.5 %) presented with diplopia due to involvement of the third nerve or fascicular type of third-nerve palsy, seven patients (77.7 %) had vascular anomalies of vertebrobasilar circulation: the most frequent was vertebral artery hypoplasia [four patients (44.4 %)]. At follow up evaluation, seven patients (77.7 %) had a good functional outcome and no patients experienced recurrence of cerebrovascular events. As isolated midbrain infarction is uncommon, specific ocular motor signs, mainly third-nerve palsy, may help to identify and localize the mesencephalic infarct. Abnormalities in vertebrobasilar circulation, such as hypoplastic basilar or vertebral artery, are frequently associated with isolated midbrain ischemia. The hypoplastic vertebrobasilar system may predispose to posterior ischemic stroke.