Palladium nanoclusters as a label to determine GFAP in human serum from donors with stroke by bimodal detection: inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and linear sweep voltammetry.

Water-soluble, stable, and monodisperse palladium nanoclusters (PdNCs) were synthesized using NaBH4 as a reductant and lipoic acid as a ligand. PdNCs, measured by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, showed a round shape and a diameter of 2.49 ± 0.02 nm. It was found that each PdNC contains 550 Pd atoms on average. These PdNCs offer high amplification as a label of biochemical reactions when inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used as a detector. In addition, PdNCs have catalytic activity on electrochemical reactions, allowing detection by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). As a proof of applicability, a competitive immunoassay based on PdNC labels was developed for the determination of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in human serum, comparing ICP-MS and LSV detection. GFAP is a biomarker for differentiating between patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS). The limit of detection (LoD), corresponding to IC10 (4-parameter logistic curve), was 0.03 pM of GFAP, both by ICP-MS and LSV, being lower than the 0.31 pM LoD provided by the ELISA commercial kit. Using the error profile method, 0.03 pM and 0.11 pM LoDs were obtained respectively by ICP-MS and LSV: LoD is lower by ICP-MS due to the better precision of the measurements. The analyses of human serum samples from IS, HS, and control (CT) donors using PdNC labels and detection by ICP-MS and LSV were validated with a commercial ELISA kit (for CT donors only ICP-MS provided enough sensitivity). Results point out toward the future use of PdNCs as a label in other immunoprobes for the determination of specific proteins requiring very low LoDs as well as the development of electrochemical decentralized methodologies.

Safety and Efficacy of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke of Anticoagulated Patients-A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulated patients (APs) are excluded from the acute stroke management with alteplase in Europe, not in the United States. They could benefit from mechanical thrombectomy (MT), which was not undoubtedly proven. There are scarce data about its results in such patients. The authors' aim is to analyze the efficacy and safety of MT in APs presenting with an acute stroke in our institution. METHODS: Prospective observational study comparing 30 APs and 109 non-anticoagulated patients (N-APs) underwent direct MT without alteplase. Demographic data, clinical severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), efficacy (recanalization thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [TICI] ≥ 2b and modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2 at 3 months), and security (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [SICH], mortality at 3 months) were compared between both groups. RESULTS: In both groups men were more frequent (63.3% of APs were men and 61.5% of N-APs were men). Mean age was 73 in APs and 67.2 in N-APs. Median NIHSS was similar (17 APs; 16 N-APs), also TICI greater than or equal to 2b (93.3% APs; 89.9% N-APs). The 3-month modified Rankin Scale score less than or equal to 2 was 46.7% in APs and 55.2% in N-APs (P = .40). SICH was present in 16.7% of APs and 8.3% of N-APs (P = .15). Mortality at 3 months was 6.7% in APs and 19% in N-APs (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: MT is a valid treatment option in APs. It achieves an efficacy as in N-APs with a tendency to suffer more from SICH, but lower mortality. We hypothesize that cardioembolic clots may be easier to be removed than atherotrombotics, and that embolic stroke in APs might be less severe than that in N-APs or might suffer less of other complications than atherotrombotics.

Late spontaneous recanalization of symptomatic atheromatous internal carotid artery occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: Definitive treatment of symptomatic atheromatous internal carotid artery occlusion remains controversial, as far as in rare cases, late spontaneous recanalization has been seen. METHODS: We consecutively studied 182 patients (January 2003 to August 2012) with an ischemic stroke in the internal carotid artery territory and diagnosis of atheromatous internal carotid artery occlusion during hospitalization. FINDINGS: Seven patients presented a late spontaneous recanalization (>3 months) of the internal carotid artery. We described therapeutic attitude according to usual care in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The authors attempt to highlight the unusual condition of recanalization after a symptomatic atheromatous chronic internal carotid artery occlusion. If these patients can be treated similar to patients with asymptomatic carotid pathology, then this needs to be clarified. However, due to the risk of ipsi- and contralateral ischemic strokes, revascularization techniques should be considered in certain cases. More studies are needed to establish the most appropriate therapeutical approach in order to avoid arbitrary treatment of these patients.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome of Late Onset: A Difficult Diagnosis of a Recurrent Embolic Stroke.

A 77-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with warfarin had a cortical left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke (October 2009, international normalized ratio [INR], 1.6) and a cortical left frontal stroke (October 2011, INR, 1.9). Anticoagulation was adjusted. In October 2011, she had a right frontal stroke (INR, 2.3). Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was temporally added to the treatment. In June 2013, she had a left occipital stroke (INR, 2.3). Warfarin was changed to rivaroxaban. In August 2013, she had a right occipital stroke. ASA 100 was added to the treatment. On all occasions, repeated neurovascular studies and echocardiography were normal. Diagnoses were cardioembolic stroke. In November 2013, she was admitted because of a left MCA stroke. A complete blood analysis showed the presence of anticardiolipin, anti-b2-glycoprotein antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was later confirmed. APS should be considered in young stroke patients, however is not frequent in stroke patients older than 70 years with several cerebrovascular risk factors. The existence of AF in our patient with several embolic strokes made the cardiembolic etiology likely. Uncommon causes of stroke were not considered despite the repetition of the ischemic events. Thus, a wider etiological study should be made in all patients with a recurrent stroke regardless of age, such as a complete blood analysis including immunology study in order to exclude an APS of late onset.

Headache as a crucial symptom in the etiology of convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage has been associated with different diseases, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and cerebral amyloid angiopathy being the 2 main causes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether headache at onset is determinant in identifying the underlying etiology for convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: After searching in the database of our hospital, 24 patients were found with convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the last 10 years. The mean age of the sample was 69.5 years. We recorded data referring to demographics, symptoms and neuroimaging. RESULTS: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy patients accounted for 46% of the sample, 13% were diagnosed with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, 16% with several other etiologies, and in 25%, the cause remained unknown. Mild headache was present only in 1 (9%) of the 11 cerebral amyloid angiopathy patients, while severe headache was the dominant feature in 86% of cases of the remaining etiologies. CONCLUSION: Headache is a key symptom allowing a presumptive etiological diagnosis of convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage. While the absence of headache suggests cerebral amyloid angiopathy as the more probable cause, severe headache obliges us to rule out other etiologies, such as reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Mediterranean Diet Prior to Ischemic Stroke and Potential Circulating Mediators of Favorable Outcomes.

Background/Objectives. A Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with neuroprotective effects. We aimed to assess the MD's association with stroke prognosis and the potential mediators involved. Methods. Seventy patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were included. Dietary patterns were evaluated using the MEDAS scale, a food-frequency questionnaire, and a 24 h recall. Circulating biomarkers including insulin resistance (HOMA index), adipokines (resistin, adiponectin, leptin), choline pathway metabolites (TMAO, betaine, choline), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were measured. Early neurological improvement (ENI) at 24 h, final infarct volume, and functional outcome at 3 months were assessed. Results. Adherence to MD and olive oil consumption were associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes and atherothrombotic stroke, and with lower levels of fasting glycemia, hemoglobinA1C, insulin resistance, and TMAO levels. Monounsaturated fatty acids and oleic acid consumption correlated with lower resistin levels, while olive oil consumption was significantly associated with EPC mobilization. Multivariate analysis showed that higher MD adherence was independently associated with ENI and good functional prognosis at 3 months. EPC mobilization, lower HOMA levels, and lower resistin levels were associated with ENI, a smaller infarct volume, and good functional outcome. Conclusions. MD was associated with better prognosis after ischemic stroke, potentially mediated by lower insulin resistance, increased EPC mobilization, and lower resistin levels, among other factors.

First-line Double Stentriever Thrombectomy for M1/TICA Occlusions : Initial Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion; however, mechanical thrombectomy fails to achieve adequate recanalization in nearly one third of these cases. Rescue therapy using two stentrievers simultaneously yields good results in clots refractory to single stentriever treatment. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of first-line double stentriever thrombectomy for acute occlusion of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and/or terminal internal carotid artery (TICA). METHODS: This single-center study prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with a single M1/TICA occlusion to undergo double stentriever thrombectomy between May and October 2020. Outcomes included successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction, TICI 2b/3), first-pass effect, procedure times, number of device passes, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS) at discharge, 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin scale 0-2), and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: We analyzed 39 patients median age 79 years (range 42-96 years); 23 (58.9%) female; 19 (48.7%) with TICA occlusions; 5 (12.8%) with mRS 3-5 at admission; mean NIHSS at admission, 17 ± 4.39). Mean time from symptom onset to final angiogram was 238.0 ± 94.6 min; mean intervention duration was 36.0 ± 24.2 min. The mean number of device passes was 1.5 ± 1.07. All patients had final TICI 2b/3, and 27 (69%) had TICI 2c/3 after the first pass. We observed 3 (7.9%) cases of intracerebral symptomatic hemorrhages. At 90 days, 16 (41%) patients were functionally independent and 9 (23%) had died. The percentage of patients with good clinical outcome at 90 days was 55.5% in the first-pass subgroup. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that first-line double stentriever thrombectomy is safe and effective for M1/TICA occlusions.

Dual energy CT in the management of antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke for carotid obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute tandem occlusions often require carotid stenting. Combination of mechanical and pharmacologic therapies in addition to antiplatelet drugs administered to prevent acute stent thrombosis might increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. We present a protocol of antiplatelet regimen based on early post-procedural dual-energy CT (DE-CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive stroke patients with tandem occlusions treated with acute carotid stenting after intracranial thrombectomy and TICI 2b/3 were reviewed. All patients received intravenous lysine acetylsalicylate during the procedure. Dual (aspirin+clopidogrel with or without clopidogrel load, groups A and B, respectively) or mono (aspirin) antiplatelet regimen (group C) was administered 12-24 h later according to brain DE-CT findings. Carotid ultrasonography was performed at 24 h and before discharge. We evaluated the rate of subsequent symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and acute stent thrombosis in each group. RESULTS: Between June 2014 and December 2016, 50 patients were included (mean age 66 years, 76% men, baseline NIHSS 16, median time from symptom onset to recanalization 266 min). According to DE-CT, 24 patients were assigned to group A, 19 to group B and 7 to group C (4 of them had SICH at that time). One patient suffered a subsequent SICH (belonging to group B). There was only one stent thrombosis without clinical repercussions in group B. CONCLUSIONS: DE-CT may contribute to select antiplatelet regimen after acute carotid stenting in tandem occlusions.

Recommendations for the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to determine the existence of cerebral circulatory arrest as diagnostic support for brain death.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical criteria for brain death consist of the demonstration of the absence of any clinical sign of encephalic activity. Confirmatory testing is usually not required for the diagnosis of brain death, except in some special situations that Spanish law details. In these situations demonstrating cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA) by cerebral flow studies is necessary to support the diagnosis of brain death. AIM: To review the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) for confirming brain death and to establish uniform criteria for the routine use of TCD as a confirmatory test. METHODS: Based on literature analysis, the authors developed guidelines for performance and interpretation of TCD in clinically brain-dead patients, in order to confirm the diagnosis. The active members of the Spanish Neurosonology Society (SONES) reviewed an initial draft, until a consensus was reached. RESULTS: In a clinically brain-dead patient, specific intracranial flow patterns indicating CCA can be visualized by TCD. The specific flow patterns are the presence of reverberating flow and/or systolic spikes, and should be detected in both middle cerebral arteries and also in the basilar artery. We recommend repeating the examination within 30 minutes to confirm the findings. CONCLUSIONS: TCD is a useful method for detecting CCA and therefore can be used to confirm brain death in a clinically brain-dead patient. The presence of reverberating flow, systolic spikes or absence of flow in the basilar and both middle cerebral arteries observed in two examinations is highly specific for the prediction of CCA and brain death in all patients.

Site of arterial occlusion identified by transcranial Doppler predicts the response to intravenous thrombolysis for stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine clinical outcomes and recanalization rates in a multicenter cohort of stroke patients receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator by site of occlusion localized with bedside transcranial Doppler. Angiographic studies with intraarterial thrombolysis suggest more proximal occlusions carry greater thrombus burden and benefit less from local therapy. METHODS: Using validated transcranial Doppler criteria for specific arterial occlusion (Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia flow grades), we compared the rate of dramatic recovery (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score < or =2 at 24 hours) and favorable outcomes at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale < or =1) for each occlusion site. We determined the likelihood of recanalization at various occlusion sites and its predictors. Then, stepwise logistic regression was used to determine predictors of complete recanalization. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-five patients had a mean age 69+/-13 years and 48.5% were women (median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 16 [range, 3 to 32], mean time to transcranial Doppler 140+/-84 minutes, and mean time to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator 145+/-68 minutes). Distal middle cerebral artery occlusion had an OR of 2 for complete recanalization (50 of 113 [44.2%], 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.1, P=0.005), proximal middle cerebral artery 0.7 (49 of 163 [30%], 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.1, P=0.13), terminal internal carotid artery 0.1 (one of 17 [5.9%], 95% CI: 0.015 to 0.8, P=0.015), tandem cervical internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery 0.7 (6 of 22 [27%], 95% CI: 0.3 to 1.9, P=0.5), and basilar artery 0.96 (3 of 10 [30%], 95% CI: 0.2 to 4, P=0.9). Prerecombinant tissue plasminogen activator National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, systolic blood pressure, glucose, and Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia flow grade at the occlusion site were the negative independent predictors for complete recanalization in the final model. There were no associations among time to treatment, stroke mechanisms, or recanalization rate. Patients with no flow (Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia 0) at the occlusion site had less probability of complete recanalization than patients with dampened flow (Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia 3) (OR(adj): 0.256, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.595, P=0.002). Continuous transcranial Doppler monitoring (exposure to ultrasound) was a positive predictor for complete recanalization (OR(adj): 3.02, 95% CI: 1.396 to 6.514, P=0.005). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score < or =2 at 24 hours was achieved in 66 of 305 patients (22%): distal middle cerebral artery 33% (35 of 107), tandem cervical internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery 24% (5 of 21), proximal middle cerebral artery 16% (24 of 155), basilar artery 25% (2 of 8), and none of the patients with terminal internal carotid artery had dramatic recovery (0%, n=14; P=0.003). Modified Rankin Scale score < or =1 was achieved in 90 of 260 patients (35%): distal middle cerebral artery 52% (50 of 96), proximal middle cerebral artery 25% (33 of 131), tandem cervical internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery 21% (3 of 14), terminal internal carotid artery 18% (2 of 11), and basilar artery 25% (2 of 8) (P<0.001). Patients with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion were twice as likely to have a good long-term outcome as patients with proximal middle cerebral artery (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 4, P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical response to thrombolysis is influenced by the site of occlusion. Patients with no detectable residual flow signals as well as those with terminal internal carotid artery occlusions are least likely to respond early or long term.

Clinical deterioration after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment: a multicenter transcranial Doppler study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients may experience clinical deterioration (CD) after treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). We evaluated the ability of flow findings on transcranial Doppler to predict CD and outcomes on modified Rankin Scale. METHODS: Patients with acute stroke received intravenous rt-PA within 3 hours of symptom onset at four academic centers. CD was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score by 4 points or more within 24 hours. Poor long-term outcome was defined by modified Rankin Scale > or =2 at 3 months. Transcranial Doppler findings were interpreted using the Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia flow grading system as persistent arterial occlusion, reocclusion, or complete recanalization. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify transcranial Doppler flow as a predictor for CD after controlling for age, sex, baseline NIHSS, hypertension, and glucose. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients received intravenous rt-PA at 142+/-60 minutes (median pretreatment NIHSS score 16 points). At the end of intravenous rt-PA infusion, transcranial Doppler showed persistent arterial occlusion in 219 patients (59%), arterial reocclusion in 54 patients (14%), and complete recanalization in 101 patients (27%). CD occurred in 44 patients: 36 had persistent arterial occlusion or reocclusion (82%), 13 symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (29%), and both persistent occlusion/reocclusion and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in 10 patients (23%). After adjustment, patient risk for CD with persistent occlusion was OR 1.7 (95% CI: 0.7 to 4) and with arterial reocclusion 4.9 (95% CI: 1.7 to 13) (P=0.002). Patient risk for poor long-term outcomes with persistent occlusion, partial recanalization, or reocclusion was OR 5.2 (95% CI: 2.7 to 9, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inability to achieve or sustain vessel patency at the end of rt-PA infusion correlates with the likelihood of clinical deterioration and poor long-term outcome. Early arterial reocclusion on transcranial Doppler is highly predictive of CD and poor outcome.

Convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to internal carotid stenosis: an indication for revascularisation.

With increasing prevalence due to an ageing population, carotid artery stenosis is a significant cause of stroke morbidity and mortality. The indication for revascularisation treatment in symptomatic carotid stenosis is widely documented and accepted in the scientific community. However, treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis remains controversial. We report a case of a 78-year-old woman who was admitted with a convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) secondary to an asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis. Two months later, she suffered an atherothrombotic ischaemic stroke and was referred to surgery. Transcranial Doppler studies showed impaired cerebral vasoreactivity and, after endarterectomy, the patient developed a reperfusion syndrome; both findings consisting of exhausted collaterals as the underlying mechanism. We propose that cSAH secondary to a high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis is a high risk marker for stroke, and revascularisation therapy should be considered.

Dilemma in the emergency setting: hypomagnesemia mimicking acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke mimics may account for up to 30% of all acute stroke consultations. However, in the emergency setting, accurate diagnosis is not always possible. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A 73-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with acute aphasia and right hemiparesis. The National Institute of Health Stroke Score was 21, compatible with severe stroke, so she received thrombolysis. Laboratory testing demonstrated severe hypomagnesemia. She had been taking proton pump inhibitors for years and neuroimaging did not demonstrate signs of acute ischemic disease. After correcting the metabolic alterations with intravenous and oral supplemental magnesium, the patient was discharged asymptomatic. No further episodes have been registered to date. CONCLUSION: Hypomagnesemia might cause acute neurological symptoms that could be confused with stroke. A careful history is essential for diagnosis but suspicion of stroke mimic should not prevent tPA administration.

Derivation of transcranial Doppler criteria for rescue intra-arterial thrombolysis: multicenter experience from the Interventional Management of Stroke study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) has the potential to identify acute stroke patients with arterial occlusion when treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) may fail to open the vessel. We examined clinical utility and prognostic value of TCD flow findings in patients enrolled in an intravenous/intra-arterial rtPA pilot trial (Interventional Management of Stroke [IMS] study). METHODS: Patients enrolled in the IMS trial who underwent urgent TCD performed before intra-arterial rtPA treatment were included. TCD findings were analyzed by a mean flow velocity (MFV) ratio using reciprocal middle carotid artery (MCA) depths bilaterally (affected MCA-to-contralateral MCA MFV ratio [aMCA/cMCA MFV ratio]). The clinical utility of TCD was determined by its ability to predict outcome and identify a proximal arterial occlusion that requires intra-arterial lysis per protocol. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 80 patients enrolled in IMS trial had pre-intra-arterial lysis TCD (mean age, 61+/-11; men-to-women ratio: 17:12; median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Score, 17). No temporal window was found in 3 patients (10%). Cerebral angiography was performed at mean 174+/-36 minutes from stroke onset. TCD was performed at median 93.5 minutes from onset. The aMCA/cMCA MFV ratio <0.6 had a sensitivity of 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 63% to 99%), specificity of 100% (97.5%; lower CI of 54%), positive predictive value of 100% (lower CI, 80%); and negative predictive value of 86% (CI, 42% to 99%) for identifying proximal occlusion in the anterior circulation that require intra-arterial lysis. All patients with absent MCA flow (n=6) had poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale > or =3) (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: TCD is a useful modality for evaluating the arterial circulation in acute ischemic stroke patients; it may have significant potential as a screening tool for intravenous/intra-arterial lysis protocols.

Yield and accuracy of urgent combined carotid/transcranial ultrasound testing in acute cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We routinely perform an urgent bedside neurovascular ultrasound examination (NVUE) with carotid/vertebral duplex and transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. We aimed to determine the yield and accuracy of NVUE to identify lesions amenable for interventional treatment (LAITs). METHODS: NVUE was performed with portable carotid duplex and TCD using standardized fast-track (<15 minutes) insonation protocols. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was the gold standard for identifying LAIT. These lesions were defined as proximal intra- or extracranial occlusions, near-occlusions, > or =50% stenoses or thrombus in the symptomatic artery. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients (70 women, mean age 66+/-15 years) underwent NVUE at median 128 minutes after symptom onset. Fifty-four patients (36%) received intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 14, range 4 to 29; 81% had NIHSS > or =10 points). NVUE demonstrated LAITs in 98% of patients eligible for thrombolysis, 76% of acute stroke patients ineligible for thrombolysis (n=63), and 42% in patients with transient ischemic attack (n=33), P<0.001. Urgent DSA was performed in 30 patients on average 230 minutes after NVUE. Compared with DSA, NVUE predicted LAIT presence with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, although individual accuracy parameters for TCD and carotid duplex specific to occlusion location ranged 75% to 96% because of the presence of tandem lesions and 10% rate of no temporal windows. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside neurovascular ultrasound examination, combining carotid/vertebral duplex with TCD yields a substantial proportion of LAITs in excellent agreement with urgent DSA.

Aortic dissection presenting as an acute ischemic stroke for thrombolysis.

Thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke requires careful selection of patients. The authors report a case of aortic dissection presenting with acute ischemic stroke for which emergent ultrasonographic evaluation was helpful in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The patient presented with acute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke symptoms and complained of bilateral ear and chest pain. Chest x-ray, cardiac enzymes, and transthoracic echocardiogram were normal, and she was considered for thrombolytic therapy. Carotid ultrasound revealed right common carotid occlusion that led to the diagnosis of aortic dissection, confirmed by chest computed tomography. An experienced sonographer with skills to perform rapid intra- and extracranial examinations may help to change the treatment plan for acute stroke patients.

Acute cervical artery dissection after a dental procedure due to a second inferior molar infection.

Periodontal infections might represent one of the causative factors for cervical artery dissection. We present a case of a 49-year-old woman admitted due to headache. The patient had been suffering from a right second inferior molar infection with a cervical phlegmon for 1 week prior to admission. On 2 October 2014, the patient went to the dentist and a molar extraction was performed in the morning. In the afternoon, the patient began to experience right hemifacial pain that progressed towards an intense and bilateral headache. Neurological status at the time of admission revealed right miosis, ptosis and conjuntival hyperaemia. A CT angiography showed a right internal carotid artery dissection provoking a high-degree stenosis. The relationship between periodontal infection and vascular disease has been previously presented. Microbial agents may directly, and inflammatory and immunological host response indirectly, influence inflammatory changes in cervical arteries favouring dissections with minor traumas.

Chronic migraine does not increase posterior circulation territory (PCT) infarct-like lesions.

UNLABELLED: Two population-based studies have found an increased prevalence of posterior circulation territory (PCT) infarct-like lesions in migraine, which seemed to increase with attack frequency. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chronic migraine (CM) patients are at increased risk of PCT infarct-like lesions. METHODS: We prospectively obtained brain MRIs from adult women fulfilling CM criteria. To keep radiologists blinded we also obtained brain MRIs in 15 episodic migraine (EM) patients. MRIs were acquired on a 1.5 T unit. Protocol included whole brain weighted images in sagittal T1 (5 mm slices), axial FLAIR T2 (3 mm) and combined proton density and T2 fast spin echo (3 mm). Two independent neuroradiologists carefully analyzed all the images. RESULTS: One hundred women with CM participated. Their ages ranged from 18 to 68 years (mean 43.7) and the length of CM ranged from 0.5 to 38 years (mean 9.8). Sixty-three patients (63%) had at least one vascular risk factor. Thirty-three met analgesic overuse criteria. Fifty-one had a history of migraine with aura attacks, though aura frequency was below one per month in all patients except one. Eleven were not on preventatives. We found PCT infarct-like lesions in only 6 CM patients aged 42-64 years (mean age 54 years) who had at least two vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: As frequency of PCT infarct-like lesions in our CM patients was in the low range than that found for EM in general population studies, we conclude that frequency of migraine attacks itself is not a factor increasing PCT infarct-like lesion risk.

Recurrent confusional episodes associated with hypomagnesaemia due to esomeprazol.

In February 2011, the Food and Drug Administration informed that prescription of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs may cause low serum magnesium levels if taken for prolonged periods of time. We present an ex-smoker, 76-year-old man, with high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and Barrett's oesophagus (treated with esomeprazole since 2003) admitted due to fluctuating aphasia. Neurovascular and neuroimaging studies were normal. Dyslipidemia and atrial arrhythmia were discovered. The patient was discharged with the diagnosis of left middle cerebral artery transient ischaemic attack and anticoagulation treatment was recommended. The patient returned to the emergency department on further two occasions (confusional episodes) and was admitted in order to complete the neurological study that was normal. The patient was discharged with the diagnosis of probable epileptic seizures. After a week, he was admitted due to generalised temblor and unsteadiness. A complete blood test was performed and showed a severe hypomagnesaemia (not previously performed).