Risk factors independently associated with the maintenance of severe restriction of oral intake and alternative feeding method indication at hospital outcome in patients after acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: From a clinical point of view, post-stroke patients present difficulties in swallowing management. The purpose of this research was to identify risk factors that were independently related to the maintenance of a severe restriction of oral intake in patients affected by acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective observational cohort study of patients with dysphagia post-acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to an Emergency Room (ER). Demographic and clinical data were collected at ER admission. Swallowing data was based on The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and was collected at two distinct moments: initial swallowing assessment and at the patient outcome. Patients were divided into two groups according to their FOIS level assigned on the last swallowing assessment (at hospital outcome): G1 with severe restriction of oral intake and indication of feeding tube - patients with FOIS levels 1 to 4; G2 without restriction of food consistencies in oral intake - patients with FOIS levels 5 to 7. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients were included in our study. Results of the multivariate logistic regression model for the prediction of maintenance of a severe restriction of oral intake at hospital outcome in patients post-acute ischemic stroke indicated that increasing age (p = 0.006), and dysarthria (p = 0.003) were associated with higher chances of presenting severe restriction of oral intake at hospital outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke in an Emergency Room may experience non-resolved severe dysphagia, indicating the need to prepare for the care/rehabilitation of these patients.

Real-world application of the 2022 diagnostic criteria for first-ever episode of optic neuritis.

Optic neuritis (ON) admits diverse differential diagnoses. Petzold proposed diagnostic criteria for ON in 2022, although real-world application of these criteria is missing. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with ON. We classified patients into definite or possible ON, and into groups A (typical neuritis), B (painless), or C (binocular) and estimated the frequency of etiologies for each group. We included 77 patients, with 62% definite and 38% possible ON. CRION and NMOSD-AQP4 negative-ON were less commonly seen in definite ON. Application of the 2022 criteria revealed a lower-than-expected frequency of definite ON, particularly for seronegative non-MS causes.

A comparative study of visual outcome in patients with optic neuritis treated with five or seven days of intravenous corticosteroid treatment.

BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis (ON), a major cause of visual impairment in young adults, is generally associated with rapid visual recovery when treated with intravenous methylprednisolone treatment (IVMPT). However, the optimal duration of such treatment is unknown, ranging from three to seven days in clinical practice. We aimed to compare the visual recovery in patients treated with 5-day or 7-day duration IVMPT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with ON in São Paulo, Brazil, from 2016 to 2021. We compared the proportion of participants with visual impairment in 5-day and 7-day treatment schedules at discharge, at 1 month and between 6 and 12 months after the diagnosis of ON. The findings were adjusted to age, severity of the visual impairment, co-intervention with plasma exchange, time from symptom onset to IVMPT and the etiology of the ON to mitigate indication bias. RESULTS: We included 73 patients with ON treated with 5 or 7-day duration of 1 g/d intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. Visual impairment at 6-12 months in the 5-day or the 7-day treatment groups was similar (57% x 59%, p > 0.9, Odds Ratio 1.03 [95% CI 0.59-1.84]). The results were similar after adjusting for prognostic variables and when observed at different time points. CONCLUSION: Visual recovery is similar in patients treated with 5-day and 7-day duration treatments of 1 g/day intravenous methylprednisolone, suggesting a ceiling effect. Limiting the duration of the treatment can reduce hospital stay and costs, without interfering with clinical benefit.

Risk factors independently associated with the maintenance of severe restriction of oral intake and alternative feeding method indication at hospital outcome in patients after acute ischemic stroke

Abstract Background and aims From a clinical point of view, post-stroke patients present difficulties in swallowing management. The purpose of this research was to identify risk factors that were independently related to the maintenance of a severe restriction of oral intake in patients affected by acute ischemic stroke. Methods The authors conducted a prospective observational cohort study of patients with dysphagia post-acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to an Emergency Room (ER). Demographic and clinical data were collected at ER admission. Swallowing data was based on The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and was collected at two distinct moments: initial swallowing assessment and at the patient outcome. Patients were divided into two groups according to their FOIS level assigned on the last swallowing assessment (at hospital outcome): G1 with severe restriction of oral intake and indication of feeding tube - patients with FOIS levels 1 to 4; G2 without restriction of food consistencies in oral intake - patients with FOIS levels 5 to 7. Results One hundred and six patients were included in our study. Results of the multivariate logistic regression model for the prediction of maintenance of a severe restriction of oral intake at hospital outcome in patients post-acute ischemic stroke indicated that increasing age (p = 0.006), and dysarthria (p = 0.003) were associated with higher chances of presenting severe restriction of oral intake at hospital outcome. Conclusions Patients with acute ischemic stroke in an Emergency Room may experience non-resolved severe dysphagia, indicating the need to prepare for the care/rehabilitation of these patients.

Anticoagulation and Stroke.

In 2019, the American Heart Association did not recommend the emergent use of anticoagulation to prevent recurrence or progression of acute ischemic stroke. However, its indication in patients with extracranial artery intraluminal thrombus with artery-to-artery cerebral embolization must be analyzed. In this article, we will also discuss other indications of anticoagulation. This treatment could be indicated in patients with ischemic stroke caused by embolization from cervical artery dissection, catastrophic antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome (APS) and some cases of Covid 19. For secondary prevention, anticoagulation is recommended for Cardioembolic stroke such as nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and other cardiopathies, some patients with cervical artery dissection, stroke associated with cancer, and thrombophilia such as APS. The timing to restart anticoagulation after a large ischemic stroke or after a cerebral hemorrhagic transformation always represent a challenge. Even in patients with high risk of thromboembolism it should be delayed at least two weeks, ideal after four weeks.

Anticoagulation and Stroke / Anticoagulação e AVC

Abstract In 2019, the American Heart Association did not recommend the emergent use of anticoagulation to prevent recurrence or progression of acute ischemic stroke. However, its indication in patients with extracranial artery intraluminal thrombus with artery-to-artery cerebral embolization must be analyzed. In this article, we will also discuss other indications of anticoagulation. This treatment could be indicated in patients with ischemic stroke caused by embolization from cervical artery dissection, catastrophic antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome (APS) and some cases of Covid 19. For secondary prevention, anticoagulation is recommended for Cardioembolic stroke such as nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and other cardiopathies, some patients with cervical artery dissection, stroke associated with cancer, and thrombophilia such as APS. The timing to restart anticoagulation after a large ischemic stroke or after a cerebral hemorrhagic transformation always represent a challenge. Even in patients with high risk of thromboembolism it should be delayed at least two weeks, ideal after four weeks.

Resumo Anticoagulação na fase aguda do acidente vascular isquêmico (AVCI) ainda é um tema bastante controverso. Em 2019, a American Heart Association (AHA) não recomendou o uso precoce da anticoagulação para evitar a progressão ou recorrência de AVCIs de grandes artérias. Mas sugere que a anticoagulação em pacientes com AVCI por embolização a partir de trombos intraluminais aderidos a parede de vasos extracranianos fosse analisada. Tanto a antiagregação como anticoagulação são opções terapêuticas nos casos de AVCI por dissecção arterial cervical. Mas em pacientes com AVCI por mecanismo de embolização, a anticoagulação poderia ser indicada. Pacientes com AVCI e sindrome catastrófica por anticorpos antifosfolípides devem ser anticoagulados além de receber tratamento específico. Outra indicação seriam casos de trombofilia como Covid 19. Nesse artigo de revisão será discutida a prevenção secundária de AVCI em situações específicas (AVCI cardioembólico em pacientes com fibrilação atrial não valvular ou outras cardiopatias, AVCI em casos oncológicos, além de outras trombofilias), além do período ideal para se introduzir ou reiniciar a anticoagulação após transformação hemorrágica.

Outcomes of acute basilar artery occlusion-real-world experience in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to describe outcomes in a single-center, real-world series of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion in a middle-income country. In addition, we assessed potential outcome predictors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 28 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was death until last follow-up. Other outcomes were rates of favorable outcome until last follow-up and rates of intracranial hemorrhage. Outcomes were compared in subgroups according to several variables, including reperfusion (REP group) or no reperfusion (NOREP group) interventions, with chi-squared, Fisher's exact test, or Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The rate of overall intrahospital death was 46%. Death until last follow-up occurred in 8/17 (47%) in the REP and in 7/11 (63%) of the NOREP group. Favorable outcomes were observed in 35.7% of the patients: 8/17 (47%) in REP and in 2/11 (18.1%) in NOREP. NIH stroke scale scores were significantly lower in patients with favorable outcomes. Intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 6/28 (21.4%) of the patients (all in REP group). Twenty patients were treated with anticoagulants within the first 24 h. No hemorrhage was observed in those treated with enoxaparin, while three occurred in subjects treated with unfractionated heparin. CONCLUSION: Together with other series, our results underscore the relevance of NIH stroke scale at admission as a prognostic marker, the importance of reperfusion to improve outcomes, and the need of clinical trials to compare the impact of treatment with anticoagulants within first 24 h in basilar artery occlusion.

Clinical swallowing prognostic indicators in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: A swallowing disorder is present in more than 50% of patients with acute stroke. To identify clinical prognostic indicators of the swallowing function in a population with acute ischemic stroke and to determine prioritization indicators for swallowing rehabilitation. METHODS: Participants were adults admitted to the emergency room who were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Data gathering involved a swallowing assessment to determine the functional level of swallowing (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System - ASHA NOMS) and the verification of demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The study sample included 295 patients. For analysis purposes, patients were grouped as follows: ASHA NOMS levels 1 and 2 - ASHA1 (n = 51); levels 3, 4 and 5 - ASHA2 (n = 96); levels 6 and 7 - ASHA3 (n = 148). Statistical analyses indicated that patients who presented a poorer swallowing function (ASHA1) were older (age ≥ 70 years); had anterior circulation infarct; had lower scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS ≤ 14 points); took longer to initiate swallowing rehabilitation; had longer hospital stays; made more use of alternative feeding methods; needed more sessions of swallowing rehabilitation to remove alternate feeding methods; took longer to return to oral feeding and had poorer outcomes (fewer individuals discharged from swallowing rehabilitation sessions and increased mortality). CONCLUSION: Patients with acute ischemic stroke, admitted to the emergency room, aged ≥ 70 years, score on the GCS ≤ 14, anterior circulation infarct and dementia should be prioritized for swallowing assessment and rehabilitation.

Clinical swallowing prognostic indicators in patients with acute ischemic stroke / Indicadores de prognóstico clínico da deglutição em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico

ABSTRACT A swallowing disorder is present in more than 50% of patients with acute stroke. Objective To identify clinical prognostic indicators of the swallowing function in a population with acute ischemic stroke and to determine prioritization indicators for swallowing rehabilitation. Methods Participants were adults admitted to the emergency room who were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Data gathering involved a swallowing assessment to determine the functional level of swallowing (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System - ASHA NOMS) and the verification of demographic and clinical variables. Results The study sample included 295 patients. For analysis purposes, patients were grouped as follows: ASHA NOMS levels 1 and 2 - ASHA1 (n = 51); levels 3, 4 and 5 - ASHA2 (n = 96); levels 6 and 7 - ASHA3 (n = 148). Statistical analyses indicated that patients who presented a poorer swallowing function (ASHA1) were older (age ≥ 70 years); had anterior circulation infarct; had lower scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS ≤ 14 points); took longer to initiate swallowing rehabilitation; had longer hospital stays; made more use of alternative feeding methods; needed more sessions of swallowing rehabilitation to remove alternate feeding methods; took longer to return to oral feeding and had poorer outcomes (fewer individuals discharged from swallowing rehabilitation sessions and increased mortality). Conclusion Patients with acute ischemic stroke, admitted to the emergency room, aged ≥ 70 years, score on the GCS ≤ 14, anterior circulation infarct and dementia should be prioritized for swallowing assessment and rehabilitation.

RESUMO Alterações da deglutição são observadas em mais de 50% dos pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) agudo. Objetivo Identificar os indicadores de prognóstico clínico da funcionalidade da deglutição na população com AVCI em fase aguda, visando o estabelecimento de indicadores de priorização de atendimento fonoaudiológico. Métodos Participaram do estudo adultos admitidos em Pronto Socorro (PS) com AVCI. As etapas de coleta de dados envolveram avaliação fonoaudiológica para determinação do nível funcional da deglutição (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System - ASHA NOMS) e a coleta de variáveis demográficas e clínicas. Resultados A amostra do estudo incluiu 295 pacientes agrupados de acordo com os níveis ASHA NOMS: níveis 1 e 2 - ASHA1 (n = 51); níveis 3, 4 e 5 - ASHA2 (n = 96); níveis 6 e 7 - ASHA3 (n = 148). As análises indicaram os seguintes resultados significantes: pacientes com pior funcionalidade da deglutição (ASHA1) apresentaram média de idade superior a 70 anos, maior comprometimento da circulação cerebral anterior pós-AVCI, pior pontuação na Escala de Coma de Glasgow (ECG ≤ 14 pontos), demoraram mais tempo para iniciar o atendimento fonoaudiológico, permaneceram mais tempo internados no hospital, fizeram mais uso de via alternativa de alimentação, necessitaram de mais sessões fonoaudiológicas para retirada da via alternativa de alimentação, demoraram mais tempo para retornar para alimentação por via oral e apresentaram pior desfecho (um número menor de indivíduos recebeu alta fonoaudiológica e apresentaram mortalidade aumentada). Conclusão Pacientes com AVCI agudo, admitidos em PS, que apresentem idade ≥ 70 anos, pontuação na ECG ≤ 14, com comprometimento do sistema circulatório cerebral anterior e demência, devem ser priorizados no atendimento fonoaudiológico.

Avaliação funcional da mímica na paralisia facial central por acidente cerebrovascular / Mime functional evaluation in facial paralysis following a stroke

TEMA: avaliação funcional da mímica facial de pacientes com paralisia facial central por acidente cerebrovascular. OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos funcionais da musculatura facial em pacientes com paralisia facial central após acidente cerebrovascular. MÉTODO: foram avaliados nove pacientes do Serviço de Neurologia. A avaliação enfocou movimentos espontâneos, reflexos e voluntários. RESULTADOS: todos os pacientes apresentaram movimentação voluntária e involuntária das pálpebras e testa, mas a movimentação dos lábios e de nariz estava prejudicada em ambos os movimentos, dependendo da localização e extensão da lesão. CONCLUSÃO: a sintomatologia da paralisia facial central, na qual se espera a paralisia da movimentação da parte inferior somente para os movimentos voluntários, ocorre na minoria dos pacientes.

[Mime functional evaluation in facial paralysis following a stroke]. / Avaliação funcional da mímica na paralisia facial central por acidente cerebrovascular.

BACKGROUND: Functional evaluation of the facial movements in patients with facial paralysis following a stroke. AIM: To evaluate the function of the facial muscles of patients after central facial paralysis following a stroke. METHOD: Nine patients referred by the Neurology Service were evaluated. The evaluation focused on spontaneous, voluntary and reflex movements. RESULTS: Reflex and voluntary movement of the eyelid and forehead were preserved in all patients. However, spontaneous and voluntary movements of the lips and nose were limited according to the location and extension of lesion. CONCLUSION: The symptoms of central facial paralysis, in which paralysis only of voluntary movements of the lower two-thirds of the face is expected, occurred in the minority of the patients.

Parkinsonismo precoce associado a lesöes palidais de tipo eye-of-the-tiger / Precocious Parkinson's disease associated to eye-of-the-tiger type pallidal lesions

Relata-se o caso de uma paciente com quadro parkinsoniano instalado aos 26 anos de idade, 30 anos de evoluçäo, boa reposta à levodopa e desenvolvimento precose de discinesias induzidas por essa droga. Essas características associadas à ausência de outras manifestaçöes neurológicas ao longo de todo o curso da moléstia sugeriam substrato anátomo-patológico superponível ao da forma clássica da doença de Parkinson. Entretanto, as imagens de ressonância magnética mostraram lesöes palidais do tipo "eye-of-the-tiger", semelhantes às observadas na doença de Hallervorden-Spatz. O presenta caso ilustra a heterogeneidade patológica dos casos de parkinsonismo de instalaçäo precoce e a possibilidade do encontro desse padräo de lesöes palidais em outras doenças degenerativas dos gânglios da base

Disfunçöes neuropsicológicas na doença de Parkinson: estudo de 64 casos / Neuropsychologic dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease: a study of 64 cases

Foram estudados 64 casos de doença de Parkinson idiopática mediante aplicaçäo de questionário de 30 itens de avaliaçäo neuropsicológica. Os casos com desempenho abaixo do normal e que preenchiam os critérios de demência do Manual de Diagnóstico e Estatística de Distúrbios Mentais, terceira ediçäo (DSM III) foram considerados demenciados. O resultado dessa avaliaçäo mostrou que a taxa de prevalência de demência no grupo de parkinsonianos estudado foi de 18,7%. Pacientes com desempenho abaixo do normal apresentavam oligocinesia em maior grau que o grupo dos normais. Das funçöes neuropsicológicas, as mais afetadas foram: memória imediata, abstraçäo, gnosia visual, cálculo, funçäo motora dinâmica das mäos, praxia construtiva e memória recente. Discutem-se os dados encontrados e comparam-se com os da literatura

Tratamento da doença de Parkinson: complicaçöes tardias da levodopaterapia / Treatment of Parkinson's disease: long-term problems of levodopaterapia

Säo revistas as principais complicaçöes encontradas no uso prolongado da levodopa para o tratamento da doença de Parkinson. Entre estas destacam-se: a perda de eficácia, as flutuaçöes do desempenho motor e as alteraçöes psíquicas decorrentes do uso da droga. Discutem-se os fatores implicados na perda de efeito da medicaçäo. Os diversos tipos de flutuaçäo do desempenho motor säo descritos e os mecanismos fisiopatológicos determinantes, comentados. Analisam-se do ponto de vista clínico e fisiopatológico as alteraçöes psíquicas induzidas pela levodopaterapia. Säo abordados ainda os meios disponíveis para o controle dessas dificuldades

Degeneraçäo hepatolenticular: avaliaçäo crítica dos critérios diagnósticos em 95 casos / Hepatolenticular degeneration: critical evaluation of the dragnostic criteria in 95 cases

O presente estudo teve como objetivo a análise crítica dos critérios diagnósticos na degeneraçäo hepatolenticular (HDL). Foram estudados 95 casos de DHL, com estoquena caracterizaçäo clínica e laboratorial da doença. No aspecto clínico foram analisadas a variabilidade quanto ao modo de instalaçäo da molétia e a freqüencia do anel de Kayser-Fleischer (K-F). Em relaçäo aos exames complementares foram analisados os niveis de ceruloplasmina, cobre sérico, cobre urinário e aminoacidúria, o estudo radiológico e cintilográfico do esqueleto, a tomografia computadorizada de crânio e a biópsia hepática. Em 54,4% dos casos o quadro clínico inicial foi neurológico, em 31,1% hepático, em 14,4% psiquiátrico, em 7,8% osteraticular, em 2,2% oftalmológico (anel de K-F), em 1,1% hematológico (anemia Hemolitica) e em 1,1% cardíaco. O anel de K-F estava presente em 84 dos 92 casos em que foi pesquisado (91,3%). Quanto aos resultados laboratoriais, hipoceruloplasminemia foi assinalada em 98,8% dos casos avaliados, hiperaminoacidúria em 94,7%, hipocupremia em 87,0%, hipercuprúria em 78,2%, osteoporose em 79,4%, alteraçöes cintilográficas das articulaçöes em 65,2%, e a tomografia de crânio, realizada em 11 casos, mostrava, em 2, áreas hipoateuantes nos gânglios da base. Discute-se a importância dos exames complementares acima citados e do anel de K-F como elementos para a caracterizaçäo da DHL