The natural history of asymptomatic extracranial arterial disease

The natural history of a group of 76 patients without neurological symptoms, but with untreated extracranial arterial disease demonstrated by angiography 10 years ago, was studied. During this period 46 patients died, and coronary artery disease was the most common cause of death (n = 25). Six patients suffered a lethal stroke, five patients had a stroke before they died from other causes and five of the six surviving patients, who became symptomatic developed TIAs, followed by a stroke in two cases, leaving only one who suffered a sudden stroke without premonitory warning symptoms. Although the overall cumulative stroke rate (18 per cent) was three times higher than normal, the cerebrovascular territories affected corresponded only twice with the original extracranial carotid lesion. Therefore, early carotid endarterectomy is inadvisable for the majority of asymptomatic patients and repetitive non-invasive prospective study of these patients is favoured for selection of more appropriate timing for individual treatment.     

Complications of carotid endarterectomy: the influence of case load

We reviewed the records of 508 consecutive carotid endarterectomies done by 19 surgeons during a five-year period in one medical center to evaluate postoperative complications (stroke and death). Each of 16 surgeons did 32 operations or fewer, with case loads ranging from one to 32. Three surgeons did 70, 98, and 172 respectively. The incidence of stroke among patients of the 16 surgeons combined who did 32 cases or fewer in five years (fewer than ten cases per year) was 7%, with a combined stroke and death rate of 8%; in contrast, patients of the combined surgeons who did more than 32 operations in five years (more than ten cases per year) had a stroke rate of 3%, with a combined stroke and death rate of 3%. When the carotid disease was examined separately, it was apparent that the adverse event rate among patients with asymptomatic or nonhemispheric disease accounted for the difference. Patients of surgeons with fewer cases had 18% adverse events, whereas those of more experienced surgeons had 2% adverse events. The adverse events were similar for both groups in patients with focal transient ischemic attacks or stroke. Seven of the 16 surgeons who did fewer than 32 cases had no patients who had stroke, despite the few carotid endarterectomies they had done. Thus, the stroke rate was somewhat lower in the hands of those surgeons who did endarterectomy more often, but the number of carotid endarterectomies done by a surgeon is not the only factor to decrease the stroke rate. Proper selection of patients and attention to risk factors and technique are essential.     

Preventing ischemic stroke. Current approaches to primary and secondary prevention

Preventing stroke is the most important strategy for reducing the cost of this disease. Management of modifiable risk factors, especially hypertension and Oral anticoagulation with warfarin for selected high-risk patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Carotid endarterectomy for selected patients with carotid artery stenosis greater than 60%. Regular physical exercise. Treatment with statin medications for patients who have coronary artery disease with or without hyperlipidemia. Routine use of antiplatelet medication has no proven role in primary stroke prevention, although aspirin is often prescribed for patients with vascular risk factors who have not yet had symptoms of either stroke or ischemic heart disease. The major strategies for secondary stroke prevention are: Appropriate evaluation to identify the mechanism of the initial stroke. Carotid endarterectomy for patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis of 50% or more. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Use of various antiplatelet agents, including aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and the combination of aspirin and slow-release dipyridamole. Whether treatment of risk factors reduces the risk of secondary stroke is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.     

Delayed massive cerebral infarction after perioperative period of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A case report

BACKGROUNDCerebral infarction is an extremely rare postoperative complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), particularly in the delayed setting. We present a case who had a sudden stroke on day 18 after surgery. By sharing our experience with this case, we hope to provide new information about stroke after anterior cervical surgery. CASE SUMMARYWe present the case of a 61-year-old man with more than 20 years of hypertension and 14 years of coronary heart disease who had suffered a stroke 11 years ago. The patient was admitted for a multiple ACDF due to symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and had a sudden stroke on day 18 after surgery. Imaging findings showed a large-area infarct of his left cerebral hemisphere and thrombosis in his left common carotid artery. With the consent of his family, the thrombus was removed and a vascular stent was implanted through an interventional operation. Forty days later, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for further treatment. He had normal consciousness but slurred speech at the 1-year follow-up evaluation. The motor and sensory functions of his hemiplegic limbs partially recovered.CONCLUSIONThis case illustrated that a postoperative stroke related to anterior cervical surgery may be attributed to prolonged carotid retraction and might have a long silent period. Preventive measures include careful preoperative and postoperative examination for high-risk patients as well as gentle and intermittent retraction of carotid artery sheath during operation.     

Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity: Diagnosis of Vasodepressor Type in the Presence of Cardioinhibitory Type

The diagnosis of carotid sinus syncope may sometimes be difficult because its symptoms are not specific, especially in the older age group where carotid sinus hypersensitivity and syncope are not uncommon events. Of major diagnostic importance is the screening of the vasodepressor type of carotid sinus syncope in the presence of the cardioinhihitory type, as this diagnosis has important therapeutic applications. This work is based on the electrophysiological studies performed on seven men with a mean age of 61.9 years who had syncope of unknown cause and hypersensitive carotid sinus reflex. The studies revealed no evidence of sinus node dysfunction or high degree atrioventricular block that would explain the neurological symptoms. The studies also included carotid sinus stimulation with simultaneous interarterial pressure recordings with and without atrial or A-V sequential pacing. The pacing assured the maintenance of normal heart rate during carotid sinus stimulation. The results of these studies revealed that five patients suffered from cardioinhibitory type and two from a combined form of cardioinhibitory and vasodepressor type (mixed form) of carotid sinus syncope. A permanent cardiac pacemaker was implanted in the five patients with the isolated cardioinhibitory type and in one patient with the mixed type of carotid sinus syncope.     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术后即期脑中风的病因、影响因素及治疗（摘要）

对２９１例颈动脉内膜剥脱术后患者进行随访研究，１例术后即期死亡；２２例（６．３％）在术后发生脑中风，１７例为中度中风，５例为严重中风，即期中风的病因包括：１４例手术部位颈动脉血栓形成（１４／２２，６４％），４例术中或术后即期脑栓塞，２例阻断颈动脉所致脑缺血，１例脑出血，１例原因不明，此外讨论了术后中风的危险因素和处理方法。     

Acute cerebrovascular episodes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Twelve patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed major acute cerebrovascular episodes are described. All patients were female, with a mean age of 43.3 years and they had suffered from SLE for between 1 month and 22 years (mean 9.3 years) at the time of stroke. All patients had multiple clinical and laboratory features of systemically active SLE. Stroke was the initial neurological feature in nine patients. Cerebral infarction was confirmed in eight patients and cerebral haemorrhage in two; the two remaining patients had convincing clinical evidence of thromboembolic neurological complications. Characteristic clinical and serological features of antiphospholipid antibodies were observed in six patients (50 per cent). Five patients died as a direct result of stroke and two other patients died within one year.     

髋关节置换术后发生缺血性脑卒中的危险因素分析

目的探讨髋关节置换术后发生缺血性脑卒中的危险因素。方法采取回顾性病例对照研究方法,比较行髋关节置换术后并发缺血性脑卒中患者18例与同期随机142例无缺血性脑卒中事件患者(对照组)的临床资料。结果髋关节置换术后缺血性脑卒中的发病率为1 .8%。年龄、高血压、脑卒中病史、术中收缩压及舒张压的下降与对照组相比,有显著性差异(P<0 .05);而性别、心脏病史、糖尿病、高脂血症及术中的出血量与对照组相比,无显著性差异(P>0 .05)。结论年龄、高血压、术中血压的变化及术前脑卒中病史是髋关节置换术后缺血性脑卒中事件发生的重要危险因素。     

Non-protected carotid artery stent without angioplasty in high-risk patients with carotid and coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac surgery

Abstract

Hemodynamic depression (HD) is a frequent complication related to carotid endartherectomy or carotid artery stenting (CAS), often not well tolerated in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to assess whether CAS without angioplasty is beneficial in patients with severe carotid artery disease before coronary revascularization surgery (CABG) regarding the occurrence of HD. Between October 2002 and August 2006, 39 CAS were performed in 35 patients before cardiac surgery. Outcome measures, including periprocedural and 30-day post stenting and cardiac surgery complications, were assessed. Twenty-seven patients underwent CABG and eight combined CABG and valve replacement. During or immediately after CAS there was no episode of bradycardia or hypotension necessitating medical treatment. In the period between CAS-CABG, there was no case of HD. We also found no myocardial infarction. There were five neurological complications, two of them in the period between CAS-CABG (one transitory ischemic attack (TIA) and one minor stroke) and three after CABG (one TIA and two strokes). Three of them were discharged symptom-free. CAS without angioplasty can be a safe alternative to treat patients with coexistence of carotid and cardiac disease, since does not produce hemodynamic depression, therefore diminishing the cardiac complications.     

脑卒中患者发生血管性痴呆危险因素探讨

目的 评价脑卒中患者发生血管性痴呆的危险因素,尤其与血脂及颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性.方法 选择既往有脑卒中病史、新近发现血管性痴呆的64例患者为血管性痴呆组(VD组);选择既往有脑卒中病史、新近未发生血管性痴呆的患者60例为对照组(NC组).比较两组年龄、病程、受教育程度、血脂水平及颈动脉狭窄情况.结果 脑卒中患者发生血管性痴呆者,年龄较大、病程较长、受教育程度较低,总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)较高,颈总动脉与颈内动脉血管内径狭窄,颈动脉斑块分级较高.结论 年龄、病程、受教育程度、血脂水平及颈动脉狭窄情况与脑卒中患者发生血管性痴呆相关.     

Prognostic significance of initial loss of consciousness in cerebrovascular disorders

An initial loss of consciousness is of grave prognostic significance in patients with acute ischaemic cerebrovascular disorders, both as regards the early course as well as the long-term prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic importance of an initial loss of consciousness in patients who had survived the acute stage. Thus, 133 out of 139 patients suffering from ischaemic cerebrovascular disorders who survived the first 3 weeks after a stroke were clinically re-examined after a mean follow-up period of more than two years. The other 6 patients had died as a result of a second stroke in the post-acute period. Patients with an initial loss of consciousness suffered cerebrovascular disturbances or fatal strokes in the follow-up period slightly more frequently than patients without an initial loss of consciousness. However, there were no convincing differences between the two groups. Indeed, on follow up, patients with an initial loss of consciousness were slightly less socially disabled than patients without an initial loss of consciousness. The results suggest that an initial loss of consciousness is no longer a factor of prognostic importance in patients who have survived the initial stage.     

ACE基因多态性和血脂等指标与脑梗塞患者颈动脉硬化的关系探讨

目的探讨脑梗塞的危险因素:血管紧张素1转换酶(ACE)基因多态性、血脂、高血压等与另一危险因素:颈动脉硬化之间的关系。方法应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测了26例脑梗塞患者的ACE基因型,同时检测其血脂。载脂蛋白、血压及颈动脉硬化状况,并经多元逐步回归分析引起脑梗塞患者颈动脉硬化的危险因素。结果(1)脑梗塞患者颈动脉硬化组与非颈动脉硬化组相比,颈动脉硬化组的年龄、总胆固醇、低密度胆固醇水平显著高于非颈动脉硬化组(P均<0.05),而两组的ACE基因多态性、性别、血压等均无显著性差异(P均>0.05)。对多元逐步回归分析显示:年龄、总胆固醇是引起脑梗塞患者颈动脉硬化的主要危险因素。结论高龄、高胆固醇是引起颈动脉硬化导致脑梗塞的主要危险因素,而脑梗塞的其它危险因素:ACE基因多态性、高血压等并不通过引起颈动脉硬化来影响脑梗塞的发生。     

颈动脉壁易损斑块与再发缺血性脑卒中间隔时间关系的磁共振研究

目的探讨MR定义的颈动脉易损斑块与再发缺血性脑卒中的关系,评价颈动脉磁共振成像在缺血性脑卒中二级预防中的临床应用价值。方法50例有明显症状的再发脑卒中患者在再次发病7天内进行检查。使用的西门子Sonata1.5T扫描仪与四通道专用颈动脉线圈。先进行2DTOF扫描对颈动脉分叉处进行定位,然后分别对分叉上下各2cm的颈总动脉与颈内动脉进行垂直于血管走行的连续轴位扫描。任意连续两个层面发现易损斑块特征即可诊断。比较易损斑块组与非易损斑块组的脑卒中间隔时间,以及1年以内再发脑梗死与1年以上再发脑梗死患者之间的易损斑块检出率。以血压、血糖、血脂等作为协变量构建Cox生存分析模型研究斑块对再发脑卒中间隔时间的影响。结果有MRI表现易损斑块的病人再发脑卒中的时间明显短于无易损斑块患者(296.2vs1623.8,P<0.001)。在1年以内再发脑梗死的病人中,易损斑块的检出率高于1年以上再发脑梗死的病人(80%vs13.3%,P<0.001)。经过血压、血糖、血脂的校正,发现易损斑块是迅速再发脑梗死的重要危险因素(HR=5.596,P<0.001,95%CI2.766～11.326)。结论颈动脉存在易损斑块与快速再发缺血性脑卒中相关。MRI作为一项动脉粥样硬化斑块的定性检查证明了它在缺血性脑卒中二级预防中的潜在价值,为将来使用MRI前瞻性评价卒中二级预防的效果提供了重要的依据。     

Symptomatic Bradyarrhythmias in the Adult: Natural History Following Ventricular Pacemaker Implantation

The preimplantation arrhythmias, coexistent medical conditions, the causes of death, and survival course are described for 399 patients who received their initial ventricular pacemaker implantation for a bradyarrhythmia (AV block, sinus node disease, and hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome) at the University of Michigan from 1961 to 1979. Factors which correlated with a poor survival are elucidated. Survival for those with sinus node disease was virtually identical to those with AV block, with only 63% surviving over five years. Advanced age and congestive heart failure prior to implantation, and underlying ischemic or hypertensive heart disease portended a poorer survival in both groups. Patients with hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome had a distinctly better prognosis--no deaths occurred until the eight year after pacing. Patients with no underlying heart disease and those with valvular disease did remarkably better than those with an ischemic or myopathic etiology. Apparent progression or complications of the underlying heart disease was the major cause of mortality. Sudden death, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and major arrhythmias were the causes of death in 48% of those who died. Implications of improved pacing modalities on late complications and death are discussed.     

彩色多普勒超声对脑梗塞患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的诊断价值

目的和方法：对８６例脑梗塞患者做双侧颈动脉超声检查,评价彩色多普勒超声对脑梗塞患者颈动脉粥样硬化（ＣＡＳ）斑块的诊断价值。结果：８６例脑梗塞患者有颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成者６１例,发生率为７０．９３％。ＣＡＳ斑块好发生于颈动脉分叉处（ＢＩＦ）,以扁平斑多见,左侧略高于右侧（Ｐ〉０．０５）。软斑、溃疡斑是脑梗塞患者的主要栓子来源。结论ＣＡＳ斑块与脑梗塞有密切相关性。彩色多普勒超声检测脑梗塞患者颈动脉粥     

Evaluation of the PC-1 K121Q and G2906C variants as independent risk factors for ischaemic stroke

Overexpression of plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1 (PC-1) inhibits insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and thus favours insulin resistance and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Recent findings indicate that the minor variant K121Q in the PC-1 gene confers an increased risk for early myocardial infarction independent of other established risk factors. We hypothesized that genetic variants in PC-1 may also influence the risk for cerebrovascular disease. Aim: Therefore, we assessed the association of the PC-1 K121Q variant in the coding region and a polymorphism (G2906C) in the 3' untranslated region of the PC-1 gene with the risk of stroke. Patients: We analyzed 1014 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke from the Vienna stroke registry and 1001 control individuals without vascular disease. Results, conclusion: Genotype frequencies of both genetic variants were similar in patients and controls in the total study population. By multivariate analysis, no interactions were observed between the PC-1 genotype and established vascular risk factors. However, the PC-1 2906C allele was significantly more frequent in patients who suffered from stroke before the age of 40 years. In these patients the risk for ischaemic stroke was increased four-fold.     

Transoesophageal echocardiography should be considered in patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this present study, we tried to find out if there is a subgroup of patients that should not undergo transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). METHODS: A total of 441 consecutive unselected patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA suitable for anticoagulation were examined with TEE in the acute phase. The patients were divided into five subcategories according to their rhythm, age and the findings in carotid sonography, and into two groups according to the presence of clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke or TIA. RESULTS: From the 441 studied patients, 60 (14%) had chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and 381 (86%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). Of the patients in SR, 46 (12%) were below 50 years old. The carotid sonography was conducted in 240 patients above 50 years old and in SR, and <50% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis was found in 194 (81%) patients and > or =50% ICA in 46 (19%) patients. Potential cardiac sources of embolism were found in patients both with AF or in SR (70% versus 46%), both below and above 50-year-old patients in SR (37% versus 47%), both in over 50-year-old patients in SR with <50% ICA stenosis and > or =50% ICA stenosis (41% versus 61%) and in patients in SR either without or with clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke or TIA (43% versus 51%). On the basis of the TEE study, oral anticoagulation was started in 36 (9%) patients in SR. CONCLUSION: These results support TEE in patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA who are candidates for receiving oral anticoagulation.     

Incidence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in patients with suspected embolic stroke using cardiac computed tomography

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with suspected acute embolic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) using 64-row multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and to examine its association with conventional risk stratification. We consecutively enrolled 175 patients (66?±?13?years, 50% men) suspected to have had embolic stroke/TIA clinically or radiologically, and underwent 64-row MSCT to evaluate for a possible cardiac source of embolism. Both coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and coronary CT angiography (CCTA) were concurrently performed based on standard scanning protocols. Patients with a history of angina or documented CAD, and those with significant carotid stenosis were excluded. Atherosclerotic plaques were indentified in 105 (60%) individuals; 37 (21%) had occult CAD of ≥50% diameter stenosis on CCTA. Subjects with and without ≥50% occult CAD on CCTA had similar prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Thirty out of 175 (17%) individuals with ≥50% occult CAD would have missed further cardiac testing based on the American Heart association and the American Stroke Association guideline. However, these numbers would be reduced to 2% (4/175) using CACS. In logistic regression analysis, only CACS independently predicted the presence ≥50% occult CAD evidenced by CCTA. Subclinical CAD, including ≥50% stenotic disease, is highly prevalent in patients who had suffered a suspected embolic stroke. The current guideline for further cardiac testing may have limited value to identify patients with ≥50% CAD in this patient population, which can be improved by adopting CACS.     

Wilson's disease presenting with features of hepatic dysfunction: a clinical analysis of eighty-seven patients

An analysis has been made of presenting symptoms and course in 87 patients with predominantly hepatic Wilson's disease. In 30 patients, in whom the diagnosis was made relatively quickly, response to treatment was excellent and all recovered although two had severe haemolytic crises. Mean age of onset was 11 years (range five to 22). Nine patients suffered toxic reactions to penicillamine and were then treated with trientine. In 22 patients the diagnosis was made after neurological symptoms had supervened; in 20 the signs of hepatic damage had disappeared despite the lack of treatment but in two hepatic signs persisted until the central nervous system was affected. In the 20 patients in whom signs of liver disease resolved spontaneously there was a time interval of from one to eight years before neurological signs developed. All 22 patients in a third group died of hepatic disease without central nervous system involvement. In 19 cases duration of the illness was brief and the diagnosis was made very late or at post-mortem examination. One patient survived with chronic progressive liver damage for 20 years; diagnosis was also made at post-mortem examination. Mean age at death was 15 years. The diagnosis was made retrospectively in 13 patients who died. In two of these the diagnosis was confirmed by determination of the liver copper concentration on tissue saved at postmortem examination; in the other 11 the diagnosis is probable since other siblings developed a similar illness, proven to be Wilson's disease. Age range for these patients was eight to 13 years. Duration of the illness from onset to death was nine days to four years (mean 10 weeks). There was no example of primary carcinoma of the liver in this series.     

Carotid surgery in stroke prevention

Extracranial carotid disease accounts for up to 50 percent of strokes. Transient ischemic attacks are associated with a 30 to 35 percent risk of stroke within five years of the initial episode. Carotid endarterectomy is a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of stroke in patients with TIAs. It is also helpful in patients with amaurosis fugax, and may benefit selected patients with acute stroke or those with asymptomatic but hemodynamically significant stenosis.