A novel nomogram to predict futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Background and objective: Futile recanalization (FR) is defined as patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion who still exhibits functional dependence although undergoing successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to develop and validate a simple nomogram for predicting the probability of FR after MT treatment in AIS patients. Methods: Clinical data of AIS patients in the Jrecan clinical trial in China from March 2018 to June 2019 were collected as the derivation set (n = 162). Meanwhile, clinical data of AIS patients who underwent MT in Baotou Central Hospital and Ningbo No.2 Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were collected as the validation set (n = 170). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for all variables that had p < 0.2 in the univariate analysis in the derivation set. The independent risk factors of FR were further screened out and a nomogram was constructed. The performance of the nomogram was analyzed in the derivation and validation set using C-index, calibration plots, and decision curves. Results: No significant difference in FR rate was detected between the derivation set and the validation set [88/162 (54.32%) and 82/170 (48.23%), p = 0.267]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years old (OR = 2.096, 95%CI 1.024-4.289, p = 0.043), systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg (OR = 5.624, 95%CI 1.141-27.717, p = 0.034), onset to recanalization time (OTR) ≥ 453 min (OR = 2.759, 95%CI 1.323-5.754, p = 0.007), 24 h intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH; OR = 4.029, 95%CI 1.844 ~ 8.803, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for FR. The C-index of the nomogram of the derivation set and the verification set were 0.739 (95%CI 0.662~0.816) and 0.703 (95%CI 0.621~0.785), respectively. Conclusion: The nomogram composed of age, SBP, OTR, and 24 h ICH can effectively predict the probability of FR after MT in AIS patients.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Ischemic Stroke, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive update of the descriptive epidemiology and trends of ischemic stroke has been released since Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017. Thus, our objective was to examine ischemic stroke burden at the global, regional, and national levels in terms of sex, age, and social development index (SDI). METHODS: Data were extracted from the GBD 2019 datasets. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess the incidence rate, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) trends of ischemic stroke. Measures were stratified by sex, region, country, age, and SDI. RESULTS: The global age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of ischemic stroke decreased from 1990 to 2019, with an EAPC of -0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.54 to -0.32). High-middle and middle SDI regions had much higher ASIR, age-standardized death rate (ASDR), and age-standardized DALY rates due to ischemic stroke than other SDI regions. Regionally, East Asia had the highest ASIR of ischemic stroke in 2019 and the largest increase in the ASIR from 1990 to 2019. Nationally, Egypt (EAPC 1.40, 95% CI 1.27-1.52) and China (EAPC 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.20) had the most pronounced increases in the ASIR of ischemic stroke. Globally, there was an increase in ischemic stroke incidence with increasing age, especially in women 50 to 69 years of age or older. The global ASDR decreased from 1990 to 2019, with an EAPC of -1.63 (95% CI -1.72 to -1.53). The ASDR and age-standardized DALY rates increased most in southern sub-Saharan Africa, eastern sub-Saharan Africa, and southeast Asia. DISCUSSION: The ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardized DALY rates remained high in high-middle and middle SDI regions. East Asia, southern sub-Saharan Africa, eastern sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia had the greatest burden of ischemic stroke.

Recanalization Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Caused by Large-Artery Occlusion in the Elderly: A Comparative Analysis of "the Elderly" and "the Very Elderly".

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the effectiveness and safety of recanalization therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large-artery occlusion (LAO) differ between patients aged 60-79 years and patients aged ≥80 years. METHODS: We analyzed prospective data of patients with LAO (≥60 years) who underwent recanalization therapy at the Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, New Era Stroke Care and Research Institute, PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, from November 2013 to July 2017. The data were compared between elderly patients (60-79 years) and very elderly patients (≥80 years). The effectiveness of recanalization therapy was evaluated using the 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, while safety was assessed by the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and mortality within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients with AIS induced by LAO were included in this study. Seventy-three patients (48.3% [73/151]) had an overall favorable outcome (mRS score 0-2) after treatment. A higher proportion of patients in the elderly group showed a favorable outcome compared with the very elderly group (58.6% [34/58] vs. 41.6% [39/93], respectively; P = 0.046). The incidence of SICH (12.7% vs. 16.13%, respectively; P = 0.561) and mortality (10.3% vs. 7.5%, respectively; P = 0.548) within 30 days was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Recanalization treatment of LAO is more effective in elderly patients compared with very elderly patients, while the safety of recanalization treatment is comparable between these two groups.

Outcomes of late endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute atherosclerotic intracranial large artery occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal treatment of symptomatic non-acute atherosclerotic intracranial large artery occlusion (ILAO) beyond 24 h from onset remains uncertain. We investigate the outcomes of late endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute atherosclerotic ILAO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2013 to July 2018, with safety as the first principle, late endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute atherosclerotic ILAO beyond 24 h from onset was attempted in 32 consecutive patients. Primary safety outcome was any stroke or death within 30 days. Primary efficacy outcome were functional independence at 90 days. RESULTS: The median time from imaging-documented occlusion to treatment was 25.5 days (interquartile range: 10.5-36.5) for all patients. Technical success in recanalization was achieved in 17 patients (53.1%, 17/32). The 30-day rate of any stroke or death was 5.9% (1/17) in the recanalized group versus 6.7% (1/15) in the failure group (P = 0.927). The rate of functional independence at 90 days (70.5%, 12/17) was increased significantly as compared with that before operation (23.5%, 4/17) in the recanalized group (P = 0.015). The rate of functional independence at 90 days (66.7%, 10/15) was not different from that before operation (66.7%,10/15) in the failure group (P = 1.00). The median score reduction in mRS from baseline at 90 days was 1.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-2.0) in the recanalized group versus 0 (interquartile range: 0.0-0.0) in the failure group (P＜0.001). CONCLUSION: For carefully selected patients with symptomatic non-acute atherosclerotic ILAO beyond 24 h from onset, late endovascular recanalization is technically feasible. The periprocedural safety of late endovascular recanalization is acceptable. Successful recanalization may effectively improve the degree of disability in such patients. However, it should be emphasized that revascularization of non-acute ILAO is a high risk procedure, which should only be performed by experienced operators with safety as the first principle.

Chorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia: A case report with atypical imaging changes.

INTRODUCTION: This is a unique case of nonketotic hyperglycemic (NKH) chorea in 84-year-old Asian woman. The patient had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus more than 30 years, but had a poor control of blood sugar. She complained of acute onset of bilateral limb involuntary activities, and being easy to fall within a week. Laboratory testing disclosed hyperglycemia (669 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin (14%), and normal ketones. The brain computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging did not disclose any abnormality in the basal ganglion unlike most cases. The patient was then diagnosed with NKH chorea. Her symptoms improved quickly. CONCLUSIONS: NKH chorea with normal imaging may represent a new subtype.

Isolated Medial Rectus Palsy: Rare Presentation of Mesencephalon Infarction.

Isolated medial rectus palsy due to mesencephalon lesion is extremely rare. We here describe a patient of midbrain infarction involving the medial rectus subnuclei presenting as isolated medial rectus palsy. Axial diffusion-weighted and coronal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed acute ischemic lesion in mesencephalon.

Cervical spinal epidural abscess following acupuncture and wet-cupping therapy: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Report of an uncommon complication of acupuncture and wet cupping. METHODS: A 54-year-old man presented with neck pain and fever. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed an epidural abscess at C4 to T2. RESULTS: The symptoms related to epidural abscess resolved partially after treatment with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and wet-cupping therapy should be taken into consideration as a cause of spinal epidural abscesses in patients who present with neck pain and fever. Furthermore, acupuncture and wet-cupping practitioners should pay attention to hygienic measures.