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

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

偏头痛患者伴发心脏卵圆孔未闭脑血管反应性研究

目的探讨心脏卵圆孔未闭(patent foramen ovale,PFO)与偏头痛的相关性,以及偏头痛伴发PFO患者的脑血管反应性差异。方法利用经颅多普勒超声声学造影(contrast transcranial Doppler,cTCD)及经颅多普勒超声(transcranial Doppler,TCD)屏气实验检查,对照分析西安交通大学第一附属医院神经内科2013-03-2013-10 62例偏头痛患者与43例正常志愿者,伴发PFO结果和脑血管反应性。结果偏头痛组PFO阳性率明显高于正常对照组(51.61%vs 27.91%,P=0.015),PFO阳性的偏头痛患者头痛侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)屏气指数(breath holding index,BHI)值明显低于PFO阴性患者(0.82±0.58vs 1.34±0.72,P=0.013)。结果偏头痛与PFO共患率高,偏头痛伴发PFO患者头痛侧脑血管反应性降低。     

Prevention of stroke recurrence with presumed paradoxical embolism

Paradoxical cerebral embolism (PCE) through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) should be considered as a cause of ischemic stroke, particularly in young patients without an altenative cause for stroke. PCE is even more important that it is potentially treatable. However, PCE remains often presumed because it rests upon the rarely demonstrated findings of a deep venous thrombosis and a thrombus lodged in the PFO. Recent studies have shown a rather low stroke recurrence rate in patients with PFO and stroke but suggest that some subgroups of patients with a higher stroke recurrence risk exist according clinical, echocardiographical and radiological characteristics. For these subgroups, it seems that a more invasive treatment should be required. There are four therapeutic options; antiaggregants, anticoagulation, transcatheter closure of PFO, and surgical closure of PFO. However, these treatments have yet to be evaluated in clinical trials. Received: 12 September 1996 Accepted: 1 October 1996     

Silent brain embolism during transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale: a transcranial Doppler study

Abstract The aim of this report is to quantify the amount of spontaneous microembolism detected in brain vessels by transcranial Doppler (TCD) during transcatheter closure of right-to-left shunt (RLS). We examined 29 patients who had had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (17 females and 12 males; mean age 45±15 years). They all underwent TCD monitoring during the procedure and microembolic signals (MES) were recorded. Detection of MES was distributed as follows: during femoral catheterisation in 8 patients (25%), during atrial catheterisation in 5 patients (17%), during transeptal crossing in 14 patients (48%), during left disc opening in 28 patients (96%) and during right disc opening in 7 patients (24%). The highest rates of MES were observed during left disc opening and less during transeptal crossing with an average count of 31 (range 3–135) and 3 (range 1–18) respectively. Brain embolism occurs throughout the procedure after femoral catheterisation for PFO closure. Our results indicate that the majority of MES reached the brain during the opening of the left disc in the left atrium: 28/29 patients exhibited MES with an average of 31 (3–135), thus supporting the notion that gas embolism accounted for the findings.     

经颅多普勒发泡实验在筛查隐源性卒中合并卵圆孔未闭的应用价值

目的探讨经颅多普勒发泡实验(C-TCD)在筛查隐源性卒中合并卵圆孔未闭中的应用价值。方法回顾分析60例隐源性卒中患者,包括发病特点,既往史,检验检查,分析相关数据。结果 60例患者均明确诊断为急性脑梗死、短暂性脑缺血发作,行经颅多普勒超声发泡试验(c-TCD)发现,阳性33例,阴性27例,经食道超声心动(TEE)检查证实有26例合并心脏卵圆孔未闭,16例合并下肢静脉血栓形成。结论 PFO在隐源性卒中中为常见病因,但常规检查很难发现,本研究通过c-TCD初步筛查PFO,阳性率及敏感性高于TEE,特异性亦较高,对于隐源性卒中合并PFO,可作为病因筛查的首选。     

卵圆孔未闭相关缺血性卒中的临床和神经影像学特征分析

目的 探讨卵圆孔未闭（patent foramen ovale,PFO）相关缺血性卒中的临床和神经影像学特征,并 根据不同的PFO解剖特点,确定其缺血性病变类型是否存在差异。 方法 本研究为单中心回顾性研究,入选2015年5月-2019年9月在首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院 心血管内科连续住院接受PFO介入封堵治疗的缺血性卒中患者。所有患者均接受颅脑MRI检查,并通 过TCD确定右向左分流（right-to-left shunt,RLS）量,经食道超声检查确定PFO诊断及其解剖结构。总 结PFO相关缺血性卒中的影像学特征,并根据不同的PFO解剖特点,确定其缺血性病变类型是否存在 差异。 结果 共入组108例患者,平均年龄46±11岁,其中男性78例（72.2%）。PFO直径（静息状态）平 均1.5±1.1 mm,雨帘状RLS 75例（69.4%）,原发隔活瓣长度平均9.5±3.7 mm,长隧道型PFO 37例 （34.3%）,PFO伴过间隔血流76例（70.4%）。PFO相关缺血性卒中患者MRI显示梗死血管累及前循环42 例（38.9%）（单侧前循环29例+双侧前循环13例）,后循环39例（36.1%）,皮层梗死22例（20.4%）, 皮层下梗死7例（6.5%）,深部梗死 44例（40.7%）,皮层、皮层下梗死+深部梗死35例（32.4%）;单 一梗死31例（28.7%）,多发梗死77例（71.3%）。不同的RLS量、PFO大小之间比较,脑梗死分布、梗死 部位和梗死数量方面未发现影像学差异。长隧道组和非长隧道组的梗死部位（P =0.037）和梗死 数量（P =0.016）差异均有统计学意义,其中长隧道组更多见皮层梗死（35.1% vs 12.7%）和单一梗死 （43.2% vs 21.1%）。有过间隔血流组和无过间隔血流组在梗死分布上差异有统计学意义（P =0.014）, 有过间隔血流组后循环梗死发生率更高（43.4% vs 18.8%）。 结论 PFO相关缺血性卒中患者影像学上梗死血管累及前循环和后循环的比率相似,梗死部位以 深部梗死和多发梗死为主。长隧道型PFO与非长隧道型相比,皮层梗死和单一梗死更多见。伴有过 间隔血流的PFO多发生后循环梗死。     

Closure versus Medical Therapy for Patent Foramen Ovale in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Debate continues about whether percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a better strategy for the treatment of patients with cryptogenic stroke in comparison with medical therapy alone. We performed an updated meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous closure of PFO as secondary prevention for patients with previous cryptogenic stroke compared to medical therapy.

Mutations in the NKX2-5 gene in patients with stroke and patent foramen ovale

Objective

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been related to stroke but its existence has not been explained to date. NKX2-5 is the most implicated gene in fetal atrial septation. We studied NKX2-5 with respect to the presence or absence of PFO in stroke patients.

Methods

A prospective analysis of NKX2-5 regarding age, gender, PFO, right-to-left shunt (RLS) size and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) was performed in consecutive stroke patients and in 50 controls. The entire coding region and intron–exon boundaries of NKX2-5 gene were analyzed by PCR and sequencing of DNA from peripheral lymphocytes.

Results

One hundred patients participated in the study (mean age 56.5 ± 12.4 years, 58% males) and PFO was diagnosed in 34% of them by transesophageal echocardiography. RLS was small (12%), moderate (2%) and large (20%). ASA was present in four patients. DNA revealed a novel c.2357G>A change in one PFO patient with cryptogenic stroke. Furthermore, c.182C>T, a mutation previously described in patients with cardiac defects, was detected in two non-PFO women with cryptogenic stroke. None of these changes were detected in our controls. The c.172A>G polymorphism was found in 21% of controls. It appeared more frequently in ASA patients (p = 0.084), in cryptogenic PFO stroke patients (p = 0.097) and in patients with known causes of stroke (p = 0.037). The c.2850C>A polymorphism was also detected in our series with no differences in PFO, RLS size or ASA.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the NKX2-5 could account for the persistence of PFO, mutations of this gene in peripheral blood DNA were barely detected in our study.     

中国偏头痛患者右向左分流阳性率及分流类型——一项全国多中心研究

背景 偏头痛与右向左分流（right-to-left shunt,RLS）的关系尚有争议。本研究旨在明确中国偏头痛 患者右向左分流的阳性率、分流类型以及分流量大小,分析偏头痛与右向左分流的关系。 方法 该研究为多中心-病例对照研究（北美临床研究注册号NCT0242569)。由中国9家分中心共同完 成,连续纳入2015年6月-2016年8月就诊于分中心且符合据第三版国际头痛疾病分类-β测试版（The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd Edition Beta Version,ICHD-3β）诊断偏头痛的患 者（18～65周岁）,为偏头痛组。偏头痛组共纳入931例（女性695例）,其中先兆偏头痛240例（女性174 例）,无先兆偏头痛691例（女性521例）。健康对照组共282例。 结果 先兆偏头痛组RLS阳性率和大量分流比例高于无先兆偏头痛组（63.7% vs 39.9%,P＜0.001; 32.1% vs 16.5%,P＜0.001）,两组中量和小量分流比例无差异（P =0.141;P =0.061）。无先兆偏头痛 组RLS阳性率和大量分流比例高于对照组（39.9% vs 29.4%,P＜0.001;16.5% vs 6.4%,P＜0.001）, 两组间中量和小量分流的比例无差异。 结论 偏头痛患者（包括有先兆和无先兆偏头痛患者）,右向左分流阳性率高于正常对照组,且以大 量右向左分流为主,中至小量右向左分流及分流的类型与对照组相比无差异。右向左分流,特别是大 量的右向左分流,可能与偏头痛有关。     

中青年隐源性脑梗死合并卵圆孔未闭患者临床及影像特点分析

目的探讨中青年隐源性脑梗死(cryptogenic cerebral infarction,CCI)合并卵圆孔未闭(patent foramen ovale,PFO)患者临床及磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)特点。方法选取27例18~55岁CCI患者为研究对象,收集其临床资料,采用心脏MRI检测其PFO存在情况,根据结果分为PFO组和非PFO组,对比两组间的临床资料及MRI影像特点差异。结果 27例中青年CCI患者中PFO阳性者13例(48.15%),阴性者14例(51.85%),PFO阳性者房间隔处均可见不同程度的局限性缺损及动态血流信号。PFO组患者具有较低的高血压、高血脂、糖尿病、冠心病病史及颈动脉斑块、脑动脉狭窄阳性构成比,其脑梗死家族史、高同型半胱氨酸血症阳性构成比较高,MRI示其脑梗死病灶主要分布于前循环,以单血供区、﹤2 cm的单发小穿支梗死为主,但两组间各临床资料及梗死灶分布差异均无明显统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论中青年CCI合并PFO发生率较高,多无典型的临床及梗死灶影像分布特征,心脏MRI技术可以作为其检测手段之一。     

Pregnancy, patent foramen ovale and stroke: a case of pseudoperipheral facial palsy

Abstract The pathogenetic role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in embolic stroke and its prognostic and therapeutic implications have not yet been clearly defined. Nonetheless, recent availability of non-invasive diagnostic techniques, such as the transcranial Doppler (TCD), has increased the frequency with which this anomaly is diagnosed. Here we present the case of a young woman affected by post-partum peripheral facial palsy: further exams disclosed not only its truncal-ischaemic origin, but also, significantly, the presence of PFO, as well as of anticardiolipin antibodies (acL). Given the increased embolic risk in labouring women, this study highlights the importance of searching for PFO in case of a stroke during pregnancy.     

卵圆孔未闭相关性卒中的诊治研究进展

卵圆孔未闭(patent foramen ovale,PFO)与卒中发病有明显的关联.应利用卒中高风险PFO解剖学特征、卒中影像特征及反常栓塞风险量表等,经多科综合评估,选择患者最适合的治疗方案.多数现有研究及指南支持对于卒中高风险PFO患者,首选PFO封堵术加术后长期抗血小板治疗;单独抗凝治疗与单独抗血小板治疗在预防...     

Risk factors for intracardiac thrombus in patients with recent ischaemic cerebrovascular events

BACKGROUND: Intracardiac thrombus is a common cause of cardiogenic cerebral ischaemia. Stroke recurrence is high, but thrombus detection with therapeutic intervention can reduce the risk. Accurate detection requires transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), which is semi-invasive and costly. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for cardiac thrombus, enabling selection of patients for TOE and initiation of measures to prevent the formation of cardiac thrombus. METHODS: 151 consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attacks (mean age 62 years) underwent TOE for intracardiac thrombus detection within one week of a qualifying event. RESULTS: Intracardiac thrombus was found in 26% of the patients (70% in the left atrial appendage). Multivariate analysis indicated the following clinical correlates: large stroke, odds ratio (OR) = 2.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 6.4); symptomatic coronary artery disease, OR = 3.0 (1.2 to 7.4); and ECG evidence of ischaemia, OR = 2.8 (1.1 to 7.7). Neither carotid stenosis >70%, nor stroke location correlated with the presence of thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors correlate with and appear to be risk factors for cardiac thrombus in patients with recent cerebral ischaemia. These may be used to select appropriate patients for invasive and costly TOE investigation, irrespective of the presence of significant carotid stenosis (>/=70%) or stroke location.     

The role of routine echocardiography in unselected patients with cerebrovascular ischaemic events

Background: Cardiac embolism is an important etiology of cerebrovascular ischaemic events (CIE). Echocardiography is routinely performed in patients with CIE despite guidelines recommending restriction of echocardiography to patients with clinically suspected cardioembolism. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic impact and prognostic role of echocardiographic findings in an unselected population suffering from CIE. Methods: Between November 2006 and November 2007, 319 patients with CIE underwent evaluation by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and in addition by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) if deemed mandatory (n = 49). The combined clinical end‐point included death or recurrent CIE, occurring during a follow‐up period of 3 and 12 months, respectively. Results: After 3 months of follow‐up, the combined end‐point was noted in 30 (9%) and after 12 months in 43 (13%) patients. In multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation (AF) (HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.38–3.25; P < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (CAD: HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.21–2.81; P = 0.004) were predictors of events occurring during short‐term follow‐up. After 1 year of follow‐up, AF (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.19–2.32; P = 0.003) and CAD (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.09–2.06; P = 0.01) were associated with the combined end‐point. Echocardiographic parameters assessed at study entry were not independently related to an adverse outcome. Conclusion: Whereas AF and CAD appear to increase the risk of events after suffering from CIE, echocardiographic findings were not independently associated with the combined end‐point of recurrent CIE or death.