Baseline characteristics and outcome of stroke patients after endovascular therapy according to previous symptomatic vascular disease and sex.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate baseline characteristics and outcome of patients after endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) in relation to their history of symptomatic vascular disease and sex. Methods: Consecutive EVT-eligible patients with LVO in the anterior circulation admitted to our stroke center between 04/2015 and 04/2020 were included in this observational cohort study. All patients were treated according to a standardized acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) protocol. Baseline characteristics and successful reperfusion, recurrent/progressive in-hospital ischaemic stroke, symptomatic in-hospital intracranial hemorrhage, death at discharge and at 3 months, and functional outcome at 3 months were analyzed according to previous symptomatic vascular disease and sex. Results: 995 patients with LVO in the anterior circulation (49.4% women, median age 76 years, median admission NIHSS score 14) were included. Patients with multiple vs. no previous vascular events showed higher mortality at discharge (20% vs. 9.3%, age/sex - adjustedOR = 1.43, p = 0.030) and less independency at 3 months (28.8% vs. 48.8%, age/sex - adjustedOR = 0.72, p = 0.020). All patients and men alone with one or multiple vs. patients and men with no previous vascular events showed more recurrent/progressive in-hospital ischaemic strokes (19.9% vs. 6.4% in all patients, age/sex - adjustedOR = 1.76, p = 0.028) (16.7% vs. 5.8% in men, age-adjustedOR = 2.20, p = 0.035). Men vs. women showed more in-hospital symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage among patients with one or multiple vs. no previous vascular events (23.7% vs. 6.6% in men and 15.4% vs. 5.5% in women, OR = 2.32, p = 0.035/age - adjustedOR = 2.36, p = 0.035). Conclusions: Previous vascular events increased the risk of in-hospital complications and poorer outcome in the analyzed patients with EVT-eligible LVO-AIS. Our findings may support risk assessment in these stroke patients and could contribute to the design of future studies.

[Atherosclerosis of the intracranial arteries and of the extracranial carotid artery.] / Atherosklerose der intrakraniellen Arterien und der extrakraniellen Karotis.

Atherosclerosis of the intracranial arteries and of the extracranial carotid artery. Abstract. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses are the most common cause of ischemic stroke worldwide. Nowadays, three therapeutic approaches are available for consideration for patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses: A conservative therapy (best medical treatment, management of vascular risk factors and healthy lifestyle), endovascular and surgical therapy. Conservative approach has been recommended for patients with asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses, as well as for those with symptomatic stenoses. Endovascular therapy should be considered as a treatment option for carefully selected patients with recurrent ischemic strokes attributed to the stenotic artery while receiving best medical therapy. Surgical revascularisation is rarely favored in patients with intracranial stenoses. In patients with extracranial atherosclerotic stenoses, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been associated with a lower risk of death and recurrent stroke when compared to carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Especially in elderly patients over 70 years of age CEA is preferred over CAS due to the twofold increased 30-day risk of recurrent stroke or death in patients treated with CAS. Results from contemporary studies using modern techniques and devices are expected. It remains unclear whether patients with asymptomatic extracranial atherosclerotic stenoses receiving best medical treatment would benefit of invasive procedures such as CEA or CAS.

Acute ischemic stroke after enjoying Top of Europe.

Sudden onset of disturbed consciousness, neurocognitive deficits, and weakness of the proximal limbs are typical findings of a watershed stroke. Occurrence after an intense emotional experience and electrocardiogram changes are hints toward the rare cause of stroke of a takotsubo cardiomyopathy, even more if the stroke pattern is embolic.

Symptomatic carotid web in a female patient.

We describe a 47-year-old female patient with a carotid web and ischemic stroke. A carotid web is a membrane-like shelf of tissue, predominantly affecting the intimal layer of the arterial wall, usually extending from the posterolateral wall of the carotid artery into the lumen, typically at the origin of the internal carotid artery just beyond the bifurcation. It is considered to be an under-recognized etiology of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged patients. Typically, these patients do not show any coexistent or only few vascular risk factors. Digital subtraction angiography, computer tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and color-coded duplex sonography are able to identify carotid webs. Therapy strategies include conservative therapy with intake of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, or carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Optimal therapy strategy remains open. A considerable rate of recurrent cerebrovascular ischemic events has been reported in patients with a symptomatic carotid web and conservative therapy. More data are needed on prevalence, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of patients with an asymptomatic or a symptomatic carotid web. Subject Codes: [13] Cerebrovascular Disease/Stroke, [44] Acute Cerebral Infarction, [193] Clinical Studies.