A Case of Intrathoracic Carotid Bifurcation Without Klippel-Feil Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Intrathoracic carotid bifurcation is a rare vascular anomaly, with only 8 cases reported. This vascular anomaly was recently correlated with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a rare congenital disorder involving fusion of the cervical vertebrae. METHODS: A 70-year-old deaf mute man was admitted to our department because of right hemiparesis and right sensory disturbance. He displayed no abnormalities associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Diffusion-weighted imaging revealed acute multiple infarcts in bilateral hemispheres. Computed tomography angiography showed that the left common carotid artery bifurcated at the T2 vertebral level. No significant stenosis was seen in the carotid arteries. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed a complicated atheromatous lesion at the aortic arch. RESULTS: This case was diagnosed with aortogenic brain embolism, incidentally accompanied by left intrathoracic carotid bifurcation without Klippel-Feil syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathoracic carotid bifurcation can occur in cases without Klippel-Feil syndrome. The knowledge of this anatomic variation is important in evaluating vascular lesions of the carotid arteries in patients with stroke.

Effective Education Materials to Advance Stroke Awareness Without Teacher Participation in Junior High School Students.

BACKGROUND: Youth stroke education is promising for the spread of stroke awareness. The aim of this study was to examine whether our stroke awareness teaching materials without teacher's participation can increase student awareness to act fast on suspected stroke signs. METHODS: We used the face, arm, speech, and time (FAST) mnemonic derived from the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. Seventy-three students of the second grade and 72 students of the third grade (age range, 13-15 years) in a junior high school were enrolled in the study. The students were divided into 2 groups: students who received a teacher's lesson (group I) and those who did not receive a teacher's lesson (group II). Students in group II watched an animated cartoon and read a Manga comic in class. All students took the educational aids home, including the Manga comic and magnetic posters printed with the FAST message. Questionnaires on stroke knowledge were examined at baseline and immediately and 3 months after receiving the intervention. RESULTS: At 3 months after the intervention, a significant improvement in understanding the FAST message was confirmed in both the groups (group I, 85%; group II, 94%). Significant increases in the knowledge of risk factors were not observed in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Our education materials include a Manga comic, an animated cartoon, and a magnetic poster, without an accompanying teacher's lesson can increase stroke awareness, including the FAST message, in junior high school students.

Paradoxical Brain Emboli Related to Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia after Catheter Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolism associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has been considered to be derived from catheters, ablation sites, or a left atrial appendage. Paradoxical brain embolism due to iatrogenic shunt after catheter ablation has yet to be described. METHODS: We described a patient with atrial fibrillation who developed acute ischemic stroke while coughing 36 hours after successful catheter ablation. He had venous thrombosis due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and a right-to-left shunt, likely due to a trans-septal puncture during catheter ablation. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was paradoxical brain embolism associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to anticoagulation, we should pay attention to deep venous thrombosis including preventive intermittent compression for high-risk patients to reduce the risk of stroke after catheter ablation.

Stroke education using an animated cartoon and a manga for junior high school students.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether junior high school students could be educated regarding stroke with an animated cartoon and a Manga that we produced for the purpose of dissemination of this knowledge. METHODS: We produced a 10-minute animated cartoon and a Manga that provided information regarding stroke risk factors, stroke signs and symptoms, and awareness to immediately contact emergent medical service (EMS) on identification of stroke signs and symptoms. From December 2011 to March 2012, 493 students in 15 classes of the first grade (age 12-13 years) of 3 junior high schools were enrolled in the study. Each subject watched the animated cartoon and read the Manga; this was referred to as "training." Lessons about stroke were not given. Questionnaires on stroke knowledge were evaluated at baseline, immediately after the training, and 3 months after the training. RESULTS: The proportion of correct answers given immediately after the training was higher for all questions, except those related to arrhythmia, compared with baseline. Percentage of correct answers given at 3 months was higher than that at baseline in questions related to facial palsy (75% versus 33%), speech disturbance (91% versus 60%), hemiplegia (79% versus 52%), numbness of 1 side (58% versus 51%), calling for EMS (90% versus 85%), alcohol intake (96% versus 72%), and smoking (69% versus 54%). At 3 months after the training, 56% of students answered the FAST (facial droop, arm weakness, speech disturbance, time to call for EMS) mnemonic correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke education using these teaching aids of the animated cartoon and the Manga improved stroke knowledge in junior high school students.

Stroke education program of act FAST for junior high school students and their parents.

BACKGROUND: We produced a stroke education program using the FAST (facial droop, arm weakness, speech disturbance, time to call an ambulance) mnemonic. AIMS: The aim of this study is to examine efficacy of our education program for junior high school students and their parents. METHODS: One hundred ninety students of 3 junior high schools (aged 12-13 years) and their parents were enrolled. Students received a 45-minute lesson of stroke enlightenment using the FAST mnemonic. Enlightenment items, such as a magnet poster, were distributed. Parents were educated indirectly from their child. Surveys of stroke knowledge were examined at baseline, immediately after the lesson, and at 3 months after the lesson. RESULTS: For the students, correct answers at 3 months were significantly higher than those at baseline in questions of facial palsy (98% versus 33%), speech disturbance (98% versus 54%), numbness on one side (64% versus 42%), weakness on one side (80% versus 51%), calling an ambulance (88% versus 60%), alcohol drinking (85% versus 65%), smoking (70% versus 43%), dyslipidemia (58% versus 46%), hyperglycemia (59% versus 48%), and obesity (47% versus 23%). At 3 months, the parents answered more correctly questions of facial palsy (93% versus 66%), calling an ambulance (95% versus 88%), and alcohol drinking (65% versus 51%) than at baseline. At 3 months, 96% of students and 78% of parents answered the FAST mnemonic correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Our stroke education program improved stroke knowledge, especially the FAST message, for junior high school students and their parents.

The effectiveness of a stroke educational activity performed by a schoolteacher for junior high school students.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether our stroke education system can help junior high school students acquire stroke knowledge when performed by a schoolteacher. METHODS: A stroke neurologist gave a stroke lesson to 25 students (S group) and a schoolteacher through our stroke education system. After instruction, the schoolteacher performed the same lesson using the same education system to another 75 students (T group). Questionnaires on stroke knowledge were examined at baseline, immediately after the lesson (IL), and at 3 months after the lesson (3M). We analyzed the results of stroke knowledge assessment by linear mixed effects models adjusted for gender and class difference using the student number. RESULTS: We assessed 24 students in the S group and 72 students in the T group. There were no significant differences in the changes of predicted scores of symptoms and risk factors adjusted for gender, class difference, and each student knowledge level until 3M between the 2 groups. Correct answer rates for the meaning of the FAST (facial droop, arm weakness, speech disturbance, time to call 119) at IL were 92% in the S group and 72% in the T group, respectively. At 3M, they were 83% in the S group and 84% in the T group. The correct answer rates of FAST at 3M were not significantly different adjusted for group, gender, class difference, and correct answer rate at IL. CONCLUSIONS: A schoolteacher can conduct the FAST message lesson to junior high school students with a similar outcome as a stroke neurologist using our stroke education system.

Effects of stroke education using an animated cartoon and a manga on elementary school children.

BACKGROUND: Stroke education for the youth is expected to reduce prehospital delay by informing the bystander of appropriate action to take and providing knowledge to prevent onset of stroke in future. Previously, we developed effective teaching materials consisting of an animated cartoon and a Manga for junior high school students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of our educational materials for stroke education taught by schoolteachers to elementary school children. METHODS: Using our teaching materials, a 30-minute lesson was given by trained general schoolteachers. Questionnaires on stroke knowledge (symptoms and risk factors) and action to take on identification of suspected stroke symptoms were filled out by school children before, immediately after, and at 3 months after completion of the lesson. RESULTS: A total of 219 children (aged 10 or 11 years) received the stroke lesson. Stroke knowledge significantly increased immediately after the lesson compared with before (symptoms, P < .001; risk factors, P < .001); however, correct answer rates decreased at 3 months immediately after completion of the lesson (symptoms, P = .002; risk factors, P = .045). The proportion of the number of children calling emergency medical service on identifying stroke symptoms was higher immediately after the lesson than baseline (P = .007) but returned to the baseline at 3 months after the lesson. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke lesson by schoolteachers using our teaching materials consisting of an animated cartoon and a Manga that was previously used for junior high school students was feasible for elementary school children. However, revision of the materials is required for better retention of stroke knowledge for children.

Rapid Evaluation of Large Vessel Occlusion for Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Carotid Duplex Ultrasound.

Objectives This study clarified the usefulness of carotid duplex ultrasound (CDU) in evaluating large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with acute stroke planned to be treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods This study was single-center, prospective, observational trial. If the ratio of end-diastolic velocity in the common carotid arteries was ≥1.4, or diastolic flow in the affected internal carotid artery (ICA) was absent on CDU, patients were immediately transferred to the angio-suite without additional cerebrovascular imaging. Clinical parameters, including time metrics and outcomes, were evaluated in participants. Patients We enrolled stroke patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥6 and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score ≥6 in whom MT could be initiated within 6 hours of the stroke onset. Results Among 140 patients screened during the study period, 48 were ultimately enrolled. Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed with LVO by CDU alone. CDU offered 83% sensitivity and 82% specificity for identifying the occlusion of the ICA or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery. Among the 29 total patients treated with MT, 20 (67%) showed a modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 at 90 days. The door-to-puncture time was significantly shorter in patients evaluated by CDU alone (34 minutes) than in those evaluated by magnetic resonance angiography after CDU (47.5 minutes, p<0.001). Conclusion CDU might reduce the time metrics for early initiation of MT with good sensitivity and specificity in identifying LVO.

Hyperacute ischemic stroke treated with carotid-carotid artery bypass surgery "case report".

Thrombolytic therapy using heparin, urokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been the standard treatment for hyperacute ischemic stroke (HIS) with worsening carotid artery stenosis. In recent years, endovascular treatments (thrombectomy and carotid artery stenting) have attracted attention, and neurosurgeons are increasingly participating in these treatments. A 70-year-old Japanese male presented to our hospital with aphasia and right hemiparesis. Emergency computed tomography ([CT] CT angiography and perfusion CT) revealed a small infarct core and a large hemiparesis due to occlusion near the left common carotid artery orifice. Because of hemorrhagic sequelae, tPA was not administered, and emergency endovascular treatment failed. Therefore, a bilateral common carotid artery bypass surgery was performed. Revascularization was performed within 51 min of the start of the surgery, and the time from onset to revascularization was 5 h. Aphasia and right hemiparesis resolved immediately after surgery. The only sequela observed was mild dyskinesia. Our report is the first to show that bilateral common carotid artery bypass is a novel and effective treatment for HIS.

Phased changes in strategies can reduce delay of intravenous thrombolysis administration to 15 min.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine whether phased changes in strategies including the Helsinki model affect the delay of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat acute ischemic stroke. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 516 consecutive patients treated with IVT in our department between October 2005 and December 2018. We implemented a system of hospital pre-notification in 2005, when IVT was initially implemented at our center. We then improved the IVT strategy by simplifying brain imaging (July 2011), premixing tPA (April 2014), locating a blood cell counter in the emergency room (June 2015), manually administering a tPA bolus before preparing a continuous infusion (January 2016), awarding a prize to members of the acute stroke team (November 2016), and completing registration before arrival and sending patients directly to computed tomography (February 2017). We analyzed the effects of these strategic changes on annual median door-to-needle times (DTN). RESULTS: The DTN was annually reduced, from a median of 90 [interquartile range, 55-98] minutes in 2006 to 15 [12-24.25] minutes in 2017. By 2017, 94% of patients were treated within 60 min of arrival. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that initial NIHSS score ≤ 4 (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.3-5.7) and anticoagulation before onset (OR 6.00, 95% CI 2.47-14.58) were independently associated with 20 min or more of DTN in 186 patients treated from 2016 to 2018. CONCLUSIONS: Phased strategic change to reduce the delay in delivering IVT reduced median DTN to 15 min at a single Japanese stroke center.