Early and delayed blood-brain barrier permeability predicts delayed cerebral ischemia and outcomes following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to monitor blood-brain barrier permeability within 24 h and during the delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) time window (DCITW) spanning 4-14 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and to investigate its correlation with both DCI occurrence and outcomes at three months. METHODS: A total of 128 patients were stratified based on the DCI occurrence and three-month modified Rankin scale scores. Comparison of Ktrans at admission (admission Ktrans) and during DCITW (DCITW Ktrans) was conducted between DCI and non-DCI groups, as well as between groups with good and poor outcomes. Changes in Ktrans were also analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of DCI and poor outcomes. RESULTS: Admission Ktrans (0.58 ± 0.18 vs 0.47 ± 0.12, p = 0.002) and DCITW Ktrans (0.54 ± 0.19 vs 0.41 ± 0.14, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the DCI group compared with the non-DCI group. Although both were higher in the poor outcome group than the good outcome group, the difference was not statistically significant at admission (0.53 ± 0.18 vs 0.49 ± 0.14, p = 0.198). Ktrans in the non-DCI group (0.47 ± 0.12 vs 0.41 ± 0.14, p = 0.004) and good outcome group (0.49 ± 0.14 vs 0.41 ± 0.14, p < 0.001) decreased significantly from the admission to DCITW. Multivariate analysis identified DCITW Ktrans and admission Ktrans as independent predictors of poor outcomes (OR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.24-2.43, p = 0.001) and DCI (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.25-2.44, p = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Elevated Ktrans at admission is associated with the occurrence of DCI. Continuous monitoring of Ktrans from admission to DCITW can accurately identify reversible and irreversible changes and can predict outcomes at 3 months. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Ktrans measured with CT perfusion is a valuable tool for predicting both delayed cerebral ischemia and three-month outcomes following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Monitoring changes in Ktrans from admission to time window of delayed cerebral ischemia can guide treatment and management decisions for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. KEY POINTS: • Ktrans measured at admission and during the delayed cerebral ischemia time window (4-14 days) holds distinct clinical significance following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. • Admission Ktrans serves as a predictor for delayed cerebral ischemia, while continuous assessment of Ktrans from admission to the delayed cerebral ischemia time window can predict three-month outcomes. • Monitoring Ktrans at different stages improves instrumental in enhancing decision-making and treatment planning for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Spontaneous bilateral epidural hematomas caused by chronic sinusitis: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bilateral epidural hematomas (EDHs) are rare. The aim of this study was to report a 21-year-old male with spontaneous bilateral EDHs to discuss the pathogenesis of spontaneous bilateral EDHs caused by chronic sinusitis. OBSERVATIONS: A 21-year-old male with no history of head trauma was admitted to the hospital for headache and unconsciousness. The patient had bilateral nasal bleeding on the day before admission and had chronic sinusitis since childhood. The head computed tomography examination after admission showed bilateral EDHs and bilateral sinusitis, the head magnetic resonance imaging showed chronic sinusitis, and the endoscopic examination during surgery further confirmed that the patient had severe sinusitis with erosion of the bilateral nasal mucosae. The patient underwent emergent surgical treatment. The cerebral vascular malformation, autoimmune diseases, low intracranial pressure, blood system diseases (such as sickle cell disease), abnormal blood coagulation, and skull or meningeal lesions were all excluded after operation. LESSONS: Chronic sinusitis may lead to EDHs through causing vascular degeneration, and abruption of the dura mater and skull. For young patients with spontaneous EDHs, neurosurgeons should carefully ask patients whether they have a history of chronic sinusitis to exclude the possibility of bleeding caused by chronic sinusitis.

Whole-brain CT Perfusion at Admission and During Delayed Time-window Detects the Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) both at admission and during delayed cerebral ischemia time-window (DCITW) in the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and the change in CTP parameters from admission to DCITW following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: Eighty patients underwent CTP at admission and during DCITW. The mean and extreme values of all CTP parameters at admission and during DCITW were compared between the DCI group and non-DCI group, and comparisons were also made between admission and DCITW within each group. The qualitative color-coded perfusion maps were recorded. Finally, the relationship between CTP parameters and DCI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. RESULTS: With the exception of cerebral blood volume (P=0.295, admission; P=0.682, DCITW), there were significant differences in the mean quantitative CTP parameters between DCI and non-DCI patients both at admission and during DCITW. In the DCI group, the extreme parameters were significantly different between admission and DCITW. The DCI group also showed a deteriorative trend in the qualitative color-coded perfusion maps. For the detection of DCI, mean transit time to the center of the impulse response function (Tmax) at admission and mean time to start (TTS) during DCITW had the largest area under curve (AUC), 0.698 and 0.789, respectively. CONCLUSION: Whole-brain CTP can predict the occurrence of DCI at admission and diagnose DCI during DCITW. The extreme quantitative parameters and qualitative color-coded perfusion maps can better reflect the perfusion changes of patients with DCI from admission to DCITW.

Enterprise 2 Stent-Assisted Embolization of Paraclinoid Aneurysms: A Single Center Preliminary Study.

Objective: Enterprise stent has been widely used for assisted embolization in wide-necked aneurysms while delayed ischemia or thromboembolic complications for its incomplete stent apposition. The purpose of this study was to summarize and analyze the clinical experience of using Enterprise 2 (EP2) stent-assisted embolization in the treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods: From January 2019 to December 2020, the clinical and imaging data of 98 patients with paraclinoid aneurysms treated with EP2 stent-assisted embolization were enrolled retrospectively. Preliminary experience and follow-up outcomes of EP2 stent-assisted embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms were assessed by using the Raymond grade and modified Rankin Scale. Results: Of the 98 aneurysms, all stents were released satisfactorily. The immediate postprocedural angiography revealed a complete occlusion of the aneurysms with 77.55% of the (76/98) patients, and the last follow-up angiograms showed complete occlusion with 83.67% of the (82/98) patients. The average aneurysm size was (4.11 ± 1.25) mm, the aneurysm diameter was (4.41 ± 1.37) mm, the vessel radius was (3.87 ± 0.32) mm, the diameter at the distal of stent was (3.23 ± 0.21) mm, and the proximal was (4.18 ± 0.23) mm. Among the 98 aneurysms, 13 cases had incomplete stent apposition, 3 cases had intraoperative knotting, and the stents were improved post adjusted; 2 cases had vasospasm and 1 case had stenosis during operation, the symptoms were improved after symptomatic treatment. The result demonstrated that stent length and inner bending radius of parent artery were the pivotal factors affecting incomplete stent apposition (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The EP2 stent for the treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms is safe and effective, however, the length of the stent and the inner bending radius of parent artery are important factors affecting incomplete stent apposition.

Comparison of Enterprise stent 2 with 1 in assisting coiling of ruptured aneurysms: a real-world study.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of the Enterprise 2 (E2) stent versus the Enterprise 1 (E1) stent in treating ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) in China. Materials & methods: The authors conducted an electronic medical record analysis for patients with RIAs who underwent E1/E2 deployment. The main outcomes were immediate complete occlusion (ICO), patient functional outcomes, complications and aneurysm recurrence. Results: Stent deployment was successful in all patients (E2: 90; E1: 270). ICO and patients with good functional outcomes at discharge were similar between E2 and E1 (80.0% vs 75.1% and 78.7% vs 81.1%, respectively). The E2 group had a significantly lower complication rate compared with the E1 group (7.8% vs 16.4%; odds ratio: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15-0.91; p = 0.031). By 6 months post-discharge, the two groups had comparable patient functional outcomes and aneurysm recurrence (E2 vs E1: 80.2% vs 81.9% and 13.3% vs 14.9%). Conclusion: Compared with the E1 stent, the E2 stent had similar effectiveness but a lower complication risk in treating RIAs.

Whole-Brain Permeability Analysis on Admission Improves Prediction of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and find out whether BBBP within 24 h after onset can further improve prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). METHODS: CT perfusion (CTP) was performed within 24 h after onset and in the DCI time window (DCITW). Whole brain average values of flow extraction product (mKtrans), qualitative and quantitative CTP parameters, and clinical data were compared between DCI and non-DCI groups. The changes of mKtrans were analysed using a Paired t test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC analyses were performed to identify predictors of DCI and evaluate the predictive performance. RESULTS: One hundred and forty of 179 consecutive patients were included, 45 of whom (32%) developed DCI. mKtrans was higher in the DCI group both on admission and in the DCITW (P<0.001). mKtrans decreased significantly in the non-DCI group (P=0.003), but not in DCI group (P=0.285). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mKtrans (OR=1.07, 95%CI: 1.03-1.11, P<0.001), World Federation of Neurosurgery Scale (OR=6.73, 95%CI: 1.09-41.41, P=0.040), Hunt-Hess grade (OR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.02-1.19, P=0.073), modified Fisher Score (OR=3.74, 95%CI: 1.30-10.75, P=0.014), and qualitative CTP (OR=4.31, 95%CI: 1.49-12.47, P=0.007) were independent predictors of DCI. The model with Ktrans produced a larger AUC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.81-0.95), with corresponding sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSION: BBBP measurement within 24 h after onset can improve the prediction of DCI. Early moderate BBB disruption may be reversible, whereas severe BBBP disruption indicates the risk of DCI.

Risk factors of recurrence after endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors for recurrence after endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PcomA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 163 patients harboring 172 PocmAs who were treated with endovascular embolization from January 2019 to December 2020. The patients were divided into recurrence and stable groups depending on outcome. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the potential risk factors of recurrence during follow-up. RESULTS: Of the total 163 patients harboring 172 aneurysms, 107 were treated with simple coil occlusion and 65 were treated with stent-assisted coil embolization. There were significant differences in aneurysm sizes and use of non-stent-assisted coil embolizations between the groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of saccular aneurysm and Raymond grade were significantly higher in the recurrent group than in the stable group (P < 0.01). After variable selection, Raymond grade, aneurysm size, saccular aneurysm and non-stent-assisted coil embolization were included in further analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations with non-stent-assisted coil embolization (P = 0.007), packing density (P < 0.001) and Raymond grades II (P < 0.001) and III (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Non-stent-assisted coil embolization, as well as packing density and Raymond grades II grade III are associated with recurrence after endovascular treatment of PcomA.

Hemodynamic Characteristics Associated with Recurrence of Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms After Total Embolization.

OBJECTIVE: Hemodynamic parameters are associated with the recurrence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Studies showed that high velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) were associated with IAs recurrence after endovascular treatment; nevertheless, factors such as small sample size, locations of IAs, and types of IAs (ie, sidewall or bifurcation) were neglected. The purpose of this study was to identify the hemodynamic characteristics associated with recurrence of middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms (MCABAs) after total embolization by the method of computer fluid dynamics (CFD). METHODS: Following inclusion criteria, we included 92 MCABAs treated with coils only after total embolization from January 2014 to January 2019. We segmented into recurrent and non-recurrent groups according to follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The MCABA models, including pre-operatively and immediate post-operatively, were reconstructed using 3D-DSAs. The hemodynamic parameters pre-operatively and immediately post-operatively between the groups were calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups for spatially averaged wall shear stress (SAWSS), maximum wall shear stress (MWSS), velocity, or oscillatory shear index (OSI) at the neck pre-operatively. In the recurrent group, the WSS (22.02±5.11 vs 37.43±8.27 pa, p < 0.001), MWSS (42.59±17.02 vs 66.98±18.61 pa, p=0.014), velocity (0.86±0.19 vs 1.44±0.61 m/s, p=0.01) preoperatively were significantly higher than postoperative values. By contrast, in the non-recurrent group, the WSS (26.53±8.18 vs 22.29±8.64pa, p=0.002), MWSS (42.71±14.01 vs 37.15±15.56 pa, p=0.013), velocity (1.08±0.43 vs 0.23 (0.52, 0.57) m/s, p < 0.001) postoperatively were significantly lower than preoperative values. The OSI, whether in the recurrent group or the non-recurrent group, did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.79 and p=0.19). CONCLUSION: Higher WSS (SAWSS, MWSS) and flow velocity at the aneurysm neck after embolization might be related to recurrence of bifurcation IAs. These might be applied to clinical post-embolization management for the evaluation of bifurcation IAs recanalization.

Hemodynamic and Morphological Parameters of Ruptured Mirror Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

Objective: Morphological and hemodynamic parameters might predict rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). A practical model for the study is patients with ruptured mirror IAs in which one is ruptured and the other is unruptured. Although there have been analyses of the morphology and hemodynamics of ruptured mirror posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PComAAs), the sample sizes in these studies were small and only considered hemodynamics or morphological characters. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the morphological and hemodynamic parameters associated with ruptured mirror PComAAs. Methods: We considered 72 patients with ruptured mirror PComAAs using computational fluid dynamics (CFDs). Ruptured mirror PComAAs were divided into ruptured and unruptured groups. Fourteen morphological and eight hemodynamic parameters were calculated and compared. Significant parameters were analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated for all independent risk factors to determine the predictability and identify the optimal threshold. Results: Four hemodynamic and three morphological parameters were significantly different between ruptured and unruptured groups: normalized wall shear stress (NWSS), mean WSS, low wall shear WSS area (LSA%), size, aspect ratio (AR), size ratio (SR), and inflow angle (IA). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AR, SR, NWSS, mean WSS, and LSA% were all independent factors significantly associated with PComAAs rupture. The ROC analysis for independent risk factors indicated that AR (0.751), NWSS (0.755), mean WSS (0.69), and LSA (0.778) had merely acceptable AUC values. Only SR (0.803) had a high acceptable AUC value. The threshold value of SR was 1.96. Conclusions: SR (>1.96) was the most significant parameter associated with IA rupture, whereas AR, NWSS, mean WSS, and LSA independently characterized the status of IA rupture.

Interleukin-6 in Cerebrospinal Fluid Small Extracellular Vesicles as a Potential Biomarker for Prognosis of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a severe form of stroke characterized by high rates of mortality and disability. Identifying circulating biomarkers is helpful to improve outcomes. In this study, for the first time, we identify interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as potential biomarkers for prognosis of aSAH. METHODS: We extracted small extracellular vesicles from the CSF of 103 aSAH patients and 40 healthy controls in a prospective observational study. Subsequently, we measured IL-6sEVs levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were statistically analyzed to determine the function of IL-6sEVs for disease monitoring of aSAH. RESULTS: CSF IL-6 sEVs showed distinct pattern differences between healthy controls and aSAH patients. The concentration of IL-6sEVs in CSF is significantly correlated with the severity of aSAH patients. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of IL-6sEVs for identifying severe aSAH patient from aSAH patients were 0.900. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, IL-6sEVs were associated with neurological outcome at 1 year. IL-6sEVs levels were greater and positively associated with disease processes and outcome. CONCLUSION: There is a neuroinflammatory cascade in aSAH patients. IL-6sEVs in CSF may be a biomarker for the progression of aSAH.

Cerebral Revascularization for the Management of Symptomatic Pure Arterial Malformations.

Background: Pure arterial malformations (PAMs) are extremely rare abnormalities defined as dilated, overlapping, and tortuous arteries with a coil-like appearance in the absence of venous components. Over the last half century, only seven published reports have described cases of patients with PAMs who received treatment. Methods: Here, we report two cases of women with PAMs who received surgical treatment, and we present a systematic review of the literature. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline databases (up until October 1, 2021) for relevant publications. We performed independent-sample t-tests and Fisher's exact tests to compare continuous and categorical characteristics among the available cases. Results: Our first patient was a 43-year-old woman with PAM of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), who received an ICA-radial artery (RA)-M2 bypass. Post-operative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed the disappearance of the left ICA PAM without ischemic events during follow-up. The second patient was a 53-year-old woman with PAMs of the right ICA and posterior cerebral artery. The P1 lesion was treated by proximal occlusion combined with a superficial temporal artery-P2 bypass. During the 12-month follow-up period, the size of the PAMs decreased significantly as indicated by the post-operative DSA showing the absence of hemorrhages. Our systematic review, which includes 56 PAMs, shows that the reported PAMs were more common in the anterior circulation (33/56, 58.9%) than in the posterior circulation (11/56, 19.7%). Bilateral PAMs were more likely to affect bilateral anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) (ACAbilateral vs. ACAunilateral: 63.6 vs. 26.2%, p = 0.02). In addition, PAMs involving the anterior circulation were likely to affect multiple arteries (anteriormulti vs. posteriormulti: 30.3 vs. 0%, p = 0.038). Conclusion: We found very few reports on treated PAMs; further studies with large sample sizes and long follow-up periods are required to explore the appropriate treatment strategy for PAMs.

Predicting the Poor Recovery Risk of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Clinical Evaluation and Management Based on a New Predictive Nomogram.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a model for identifying the risk factors of poor recovery in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: A prediction model was developed using training data obtained from 1577 aSAH patients from multiple centers. The patients were followed for 6 months on average and assessed using the modified Rankin Scale; patient information was collected with a prospective case report form. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were applied to optimize factor selection for the poor recovery risk model. Multivariable logistic regression, incorporating the factors selected in the previous step, was used for model predictions. Predictive ability and clinical effectiveness of the model were evaluated using C-index, receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis. Internal validation was performed using the C-index, taking advantage of bootstrapping validation. RESULTS: The predictors included household income per capita, hypertension, smoking, migraine within a week before onset, Glasgow Coma Scale at admission, average blood pressure at admission, modified Fisher score at admission, treatment method, and complications. Our newly developed model made satisfactory predictions; it had a C-index of 0.796 and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.784. The decision curve analysis showed that the poor recovery nomogram was of clinical benefit when an intervention was decided at a poor recovery threshold between 2% and 50%. Internal validation revealed a C-index of 0.760. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the novel poor recovery nomogram may be conveniently used for risk prediction in aSAH patients. For patients with intracranial aneurysms, migraine needs to be vigilant. Quitting smoking and blood pressure management are also beneficial.

Risk Factors and Prognostic Value of Swirl Sign in Traumatic Acute Epidural Hematoma.

Objective: Acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) is one of the deadliest lesions in patients after traumatic brain injury. AEDH with swirl sign progresses rapidly and requires timely surgical treatment. This study aims to investigate the risk factors for the occurrence of AEDH with swirl sign and its prognostic value. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 131 AEDH patients, who were divided into swirl sign group and non-swirl sign group based on the brain computed tomographic (CT) scan. Patient information, including gender, age, hypertension, mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, time from injury to CT scan, pupillary light reactivity on admission, midline shift, location of hematoma, hematoma volume on admission, oral anticoagulation, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 3 months were collected. Univariate analysis was used to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of swirl sign. The factors with P < 0.05 were recruited into the multivariate logistic regression analysis and predictive receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve model. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that the GCS score on admission (P = 0.007), pupillary light reactivity (P = 0.003), location of hematoma (P < 0.0001), and GOS score at 3 months (P = 0.007) were risk factors for the occurrence of swirl sign. Multivariate logistic regression model revealed that the location of hematoma (OR = 0.121; 95% CI: 0.019-0.786; P = 0.027) was an independent risk factor for swirl sign, and the occurrence of swirl sign was a significant predictor of unfavorable neurological outcomes (OR = 0.100; 95% CI: 0.016-0.630; P = 0.014). ROC curves demonstrated that the GCS score on admission (AUC = 0.655; 95% CI: 0.506-0.804), pupillary light reactivity (AUC = 0.625; 95% CI: 0.474-0.777) and location of hematoma (AUC = 0.788; 95% CI: 0.682-0.893) can predict the occurrence of swirl sign, respectively. Remarkably, the combination of these three factors (AUC = 0.829; 95% CI: 0.753-0.906) provided a greater power to predict the swirl sign. Conclusion: GCS score on admission, pupillary light reactivity, and location of hematoma are risk factors for the occurrence of swirl sign, respectively. The combination of these three factors might be used to predict whether there is swirl sign in AEDH after traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, swirl sign can be used as an effective predictor of poor prognosis in patients.

Hemodynamic and Morphological Differences Between Unruptured Carotid-Posterior Communicating Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms and Infundibular Dilations of the Posterior Communicating Artery.

Objective: Posterior communicating artery bifurcation aneurysms (PcomA-BAs) and infundibular dilations (PcomA-IDs) are found at the junction between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the posterior communicating artery (PcomA). Several studies found that PcomA-IDs potentially progress to aneurysms and can even rupture. In our clinical practice, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) helps differentiate PcomA-IDs from unruptured PcomA-BAs. However, when PcomA-IDs are >3 mm in diameter or PcomA are absent on DSA, it is challenging to use DSA to differentiate PcomA-IDs from unruptured PcomA-BAs. Hemodynamic and morphological factors are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis, progression, and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. We compared hemodynamic and morphological differences in unruptured PcomA-BAs and PcomA-IDs to better manage PcomA-IDs. Methods: We included 83 PcomA-IDs and 115 unruptured PcomA-BAs dignosed and measured using DSA from January 2015 to January 2019. Computational fluid dynamics was performed on these patient-specific models reconstructed using axial slices in DICOM format. Clinical, hemodynamic, and morphological factors were compared between the PcomA-IDs and PcomA-BAs. Significant parameters were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed on the independent risk factors to acquire cutoff values. Results: One hemodynamic and four morphyological parameters were significantly different between PcomA-IDs and PcomA-BAs: normalized wall shear stress (NWSS), size, the angle between the ophthalmic segment of the ICA and the PcomA (APcomA), the angle between the ophthalmic and the communicating segment of the ICA (AICA) and the diameter of the PcomA (DPcomA). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that small size and DPcomA as well as APcomA were all independent significant factors characterizing the status of PcomA-IDs and the ROC analysis for independent risk factors indicated the cutoff values of size, APcomA, and DPcomA were 3.45 mm, 66.27°, and 1.24 mm, respectively. Conclusions: Size, DpcomA, and ApcomA could independently characterize the status of PcomA-IDs. These might help us better differentiate them from real aneurysms and guide its management.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist after surgical treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage: a randomized crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the neuromechanical efficiency (NME), neuroventilatory efficiency (NVE), and diaphragmatic function effects between pressure support ventilation (PSV) and neutrally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA). METHODS: Fifteen patients who had undergone surgical treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage were enrolled in this randomized crossover study. The patients were assigned to PSV for the first 24 hours and then to NAVA for the following 24 hours or vice versa. The monitored ventilatory parameters under the two ventilation models were compared. NME, NVE, and diaphragmatic function were compared between the two ventilation models. RESULTS: One patient's illness worsened during the study. The study was stopped for this patient, and intact data were obtained from the other 14 patients and analyzed. The monitored tidal volume was significantly higher with PSV than NAVA (487 [443-615] vs. 440 [400-480] mL, respectively). NME, NVE, diaphragmatic function, and the partial pressures of arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen were not significantly different between the two ventilation models. CONCLUSION: The tidal volume was lower with NAVA than PSV; however, the patients' selected respiratory pattern during NAVA did not change the NME, NVE, or diaphragmatic function.Clinical trial registration no. ChiCTR1900022861.

Hemodynamic and Morphological Analysis of Mirror Aneurysms Prior to Rupture.

OBJECTIVE: Hemodynamic factors are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis, progression, and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. Previous hemodynamic studies have been based on comparisons between post-ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Nevertheless, changes of aneurysm morphology after rupture render these results unreliable. Moreover, pressure, age, gender, and the morphology of the parent artery also influence these results. Therefore, in the present study, we identified hemodynamic and morphological characteristics of aneurysms prior to rupture using twelve mirror aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From our database, we retrospectively analyzed twelve mirror aneurysms (MANs) prior to rupture. Each mirror aneurysm was divided into the prior to rupture or the unruptured group. Patient-specific models were reconstructed from three-dimensional (3D) images of all patients. Hemodynamic and morphological factors were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Compared with the unruptured side of MANs, aneurysms prior to rupture were significantly larger and significantly more irregular in shape; they also had significantly higher aspect ratio (AR), size ratio (SR), undulation index (UI), ellipticity index (EI), percentage of low wall shear stress area (LSA) and significantly lower normal wall shear stress (NWSS). The oscillatory shear index (OSI) and nonsphericity index (NSI) in the aneurysms prior to rupture were non-significantly higher than those of the unruptured group. CONCLUSION: MANs prior to rupture may be extremely useful models to assess the risk of aneurysm rupture. Larger size, irregular shape, higher AR, SR, UI, NI, and lower WSS may be associated with aneurysms at risk for rupture.

Whole-brain CT perfusion on admission predicts delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) on admission to predict delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: All 252 consecutive patients with aSAH enrolled in this study underwent one-stop whole-brain CTP scan within 24 h after aneurysm rupture. The qualitative and quantitative CTP parameters and clinical data were compared between patients with and without DCI. Diagnostic performance of clinical data and mean and lowest CTP parameters were evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine predictors of DCI. RESULTS: The study evaluated 191 of 252 consecutive patients, 57 of whom (29.8%) developed DCI during hospitalization. Patients with diffused hypoperfusion had the highest incidence rate of DCI (43%, 46/107). Mean TMax produced the largest area under the curve of 0.726 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.638-0.814), and a cutoff value of 2.240 s provided sensitivity of 73.7% and specificity of 71.6% for early prediction of developing DCI. Glasgow Coma Scale score (odds ratio [OR] = 0.716, 95% CI 0.565-0.908, P = 0.006), cerebral vasospasm (OR = 6.117, 95% CI 1.427-26.223, P = 0.015), hydrocephalus (OR = 3.795, 95% CI 1.327-10.858, P = 0.013), and qualitative CTP analysis (OR = 3.383, 95% CI 1.686-6.789, P = 0.001) were all significant independent predictors of DCI. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-brain CTP within 24 h of admission can qualitatively and quantitatively detect abnormal cerebral perfusion. It is possible to predict the risk of developing DCI after aSAH when the TMax value is larger than 2.240 s.

Hemodynamic Characteristics Associated With Paraclinoid Aneurysm Recurrence in Patients After Embolization.

Objective: To investigate the hemodynamic features before and after embolization of paraclinoidal aneurysms using hemodynamic numerical simulation and the influence of embolization on recurrence after embolization. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, we enrolled a total of 113 paraclinoidal aneurysms treated with embolization. They were divided into recurrent group and stable group depending on follow-up results. An aneurysm model was generated based on 3D-DSA before and after embolization. The hemodynamic characteristics were analyzed between two groups using Computational fluid dynamic (CFD). Results: In the recurrent group, the peak systolic WSS, OSI and velocity around the aneurysm neck areas prior to embolization were 20.47 ± 3.04 Pa, 0.06 ± 0.02 and 0.07 ± 0.03 m/s, respectively. These values were 23.50 ± 4.11 Pa, 0.06 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.02 m/s, respectively in the stable group (P > 0.05). The WSS, OSI, velocity around the same areas in the recurrent group after embolization were 35.59 ± 8.75 Pa, 0.07 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.03 m/s, respectively (P < 0.01). In the stable group, the WSS, OSI and velocity were 13.08 ± 2.89 Pa, 0.04 ± 0.01 and 0.07 ± 0.02 m/s, respectively (P < 0.01). After embolization, the WSS, OSI and velocity around the aneurysm neck areas in the recurrent group were significantly higher than those in the stable group. Conclusions: High peak systolic WSS, OSI and velocity around aneurysm neck areas after embolization of paraclinoidal aneurysms may be important factors leading to recurrence.

Early serum miR-1297 is an indicator of poor neurological outcome in patients with aSAH.

Objective: MiRNAs are important regulators of translation and have been described as biomarkers of a number of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. The purpose of the study was to determine expression levels of serum miR-1297 in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), and to assess whether miR-1297 was the prognostic indicator of aSAH. Methods: We treated 128 aSAH patients with endovascular coiling. The World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grades, Hunt-Hess grades, and modified Fisher scores were used to assess aSAH severity. Neurologic outcome was assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 1-year post-aSAH. Serum was taken at various time points (24, 72, and 168 h, and 14 days). Serum samples from aSAH patients and healthy controls were subjected to reverse transcription (RT) quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: A poor outcome at 1 year was associated with significantly higher levels of miR-1297 value at the four time points, higher WFNS grade, higher Hunt-Hess grade, and higher Fisher score. Serum miR-1297 levels were significantly higher in patients, compared with healthy controls. There were significant correlations of miR-1297 concentrations in serum with severity in aSAH. The AUCs of miR-1297 at the four time points for distinguishing the aSAH patients from healthy controls were 0.80, 0.94, 0.77, and 0.59, respectively. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, only miR-1297 at 24 and 72 h enabled prediction of neurological outcome at 1 year. Conclusion: Serum was an independent predictive factor of poor outcome at 1 year following aSAH. This result supports the use of miR-1297 in aSAH to aid determination of prognosis.

Persistent High Levels of miR-502-5p Are Associated with Poor Neurologic Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal changes in miR-502-5p expression after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and to find the time to peak level. METHODS: We collected serum from patients with aSAH (n = 129) at various time points (1, 3, 7, and 14 days postevent) and healthy controls (n = 40) at the Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, from May 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. We measured expression levels of miR-502-5p by polymerase chain reaction. We used the 2-ΔCt method and calculated correlations among variables using Spearman rank correlation coefficient analysis. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to identify optimal levels of miR-502-5p for aSAH and multivariate logistic regression to analyze risk factors on the modified Rankin scale. We measured miR-502-5p expression at all 4 time points post-aSAH. RESULTS: Levels rose moderately from day 1 to day 7, with a substantial decrease from day 7 to day 14. The peak was at day 7. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that higher miR-502-5p levels at 7 days were associated with a significantly high risk for poor outcome post-aSAH. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that persistent elevated levels of miR-502-5p participate in the development of aSAH and may help physicians to adjust therapy for aSAH.