Stroke associated with giant cell arteritis: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in people ≥50 years and can be associated with stroke. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and characteristics of stroke in patients with GCA. METHODS: All patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of GCA were identified among residents of the city of Dijon, France (152 000 inhabitants), between 2001 and 2012 using a prospective database. Among these, patients who suffered from stroke were retrieved by crossing data from the population-based Dijon Stroke Registry. Demographics and clinical features were recorded. We considered that the stroke was GCA-related if the stroke revealed GCA or occurred between the onset of symptoms and 4 weeks after the start of treatment. RESULTS: Among the 57 biopsy-proven patients with GCA (incidence rate 10.9/100 000/year in individuals ≥50 years), 4 (7.0%) experienced a GCA-related stroke. Three were men and all had ≥2 vascular risk factors and were ≥80 years. The stroke was vertebrobasilar for 3/4 patients and undetermined for the remaining one. The incidence rate of GCA-related stroke in patients ≥50 years was 0.76/100 000/year (95% CI 0 to 2.47), 1.36/100 000/year in men (95% CI 0 to 3.63) and 0.33/100 000/year (95% CI 0 to 1.45) in women. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study demonstrated that GCA-related stroke essentially affects the vertebrobasilar territory and mainly occurs in old men with associated vascular risk factors. Although rare, GCA symptoms must be searched for in elderly patients with stroke, and optimal vascular prevention must be conducted carefully in patients with GCA with a high vascular risk before initiating GCA treatment.

Trends in the incidence of ischaemic stroke in young adults between 1985 and 2011: the Dijon Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND: Recent data have suggested that stroke incidence in young people may be rising. In this population-based study, we aimed to determine whether the incidence of stroke in people aged <55 years old had changed over the last three decades. METHODS: All cases of first-ever stroke (ischaemic stroke, spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, and undetermined stroke) occurring in Dijon, France, from 1985 to 2011 were prospectively collected from a population-based registry. Incidence rates were calculated and temporal trends were analysed by age groups and stroke subtypes using a Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR). Risk factors and premorbid treatments were analysed. RESULTS: Over the 27-year study period, 4506 patients were recorded (53% women, mean age 74.6±14.4, 10.1% aged <55 years). An increase in overall stroke incidence was noted, as was a rise in ischaemic stroke in individuals aged <55 years (IRR 1.308; 95% CI 0.982 to 1.741, p=0.066 for period 1994-2002 vs period 1985-1993, and IRR 1.697; 95% CI 1.340 to 2.150, p<0.001 for period 2003-2011 vs period 1994-2002), which was consistent for men and women. In these young patients, smoking was the most frequent risk factor (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors may account for the increased incidence of ischaemic stroke in people aged <55 years including changes in vascular risk factors, better awareness of the disease and treatment options in the population and among practitioners leading to more frequent referrals for specialised care, and improvements in stroke diagnosis. Stroke prevention must be encouraged even in young adults.

Prevalence and prognostic value of headache on early mortality in acute stroke: the Dijon Stroke Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of headache at onset and its association with 1-month mortality in stroke patients. METHODS: All patients with stroke in Dijon, France (2006-2011), were prospectively identified using a population-based registry. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between headache and 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among 1411 stroke patients, data about headache were obtained for 1391 (98.6%) of whom 1185 had an ischemic stroke (IS), 201 had an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and five had a stroke of undetermined etiology. Headache was found in 253 (18.2%) patients and was more frequent in those with ICH than in those with IS (46.3% vs 13.5%, p < 0.001). Overall 30-day mortality was 11.7%, and was greater for patients with than those without headache (17.0% vs 10.5%, unadjusted HR 1.70; 95% CI 1.20-2.41, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, an association between headache and 30-day mortality was observed (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.02-2.25, p = 0.042). In stratified analyses, headache was associated with 30-day mortality in ICH (HR 2.09; 95% CI 1.18-3.71, p = 0.011) but not in IS (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.53-1.92, p = 0.97). CONCLUSION: Headache at stroke onset is associated with a higher risk of early mortality in patients with ICH.

Association between serum concentration of vitamin D and 1-year mortality in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is high in patients presenting with an acute stroke, and it may be associated with greater clinical severity and a poor early functional prognosis. However, no data about its impact on long-term prognosis is available. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between 25(OH)D levels and 1-year mortality in stroke patients. METHODS: From February to December 2010, 382 Caucasian stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital of Dijon, France, were enrolled prospectively. Demographics and clinical information including stroke severity assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were collected. The serum concentration of 25(OH)D was measured at baseline. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between 1-year all-cause mortality and serum 25(OH)D levels treated as either a log-transformed continuous variable or dichotomized (<25.7 and ≥25.7 nmol/l) at the first tertile of their distribution. RESULTS: Of the 382 stroke patients included, 63 (16.5%) had died at 1 year. The mean 25(OH)D level was lower in these patients (32.3 ± 22.0 vs. 44.6 ± 28.7 nmol/l, p < 0.001), and survival at 1 year was worse in patients in the lowest tertile of 25(OH)D levels (defined as <25.7 nmol/l); log-transformed 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, HR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.44-0.87; p = 0.007), and patients with 25(OH)D levels <25.7 nmol/l were at a higher risk of death at 1 year (HR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.14-3.32; p = 0.014). In multivariable analyses, the association was no longer significant but a significant interaction was found for age, and stratified analyses by age groups showed an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and 1-year mortality in patients aged <75 years [HR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17-0.83; p = 0.015 for log-transformed 25(OH)D levels, and HR = 3.12; 95% CI: 0.98-9.93; p = 0.054 for 25(OH)D levels <25.7 vs. >25.7 nmol/l]. CONCLUSION: A low serum 25(OH)D level at stroke onset may be associated with higher mortality at 1 year in patients <75 years old. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could improve survival in stroke patients.

Smoking status and severity of ischemic stroke. A population-based study.

We aimed to investigate the impact of smoking status on clinical severity in patients with ischemic stroke event (IS). Patients were prospectively identified among residents of the city of Dijon, France (ca. 151,000 inhabitants), using a population-based registry, between 2006 and 2011. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. The initial clinical severity was quantified by the means of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the effect of smoking status on severity. Among the 1,056 recorded patients with IS, data about smoking status were available for 973 (92.1%), of whom 658 (67.3%) were non-smokers, 187 (19.2%) were current smokers, and 128 (13.2%) were former smokers. Compared with non-smoking, former smoking was associated with less severe IS (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.82, p = 0.003), whereas this association was not found for current smokers (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.69-1.36, p = 0.856). Further work is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of this finding.

Silent atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: interest of continuous ECG monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Since atrial fibrillation (AF) may be undiagnosed when asymptomatic and paroxysmal, we aimed to investigate the incidence and determinants of silent AF in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to the Stroke Unit of the University Hospital of Dijon, France, for acute ischemic stroke or TIA were prospectively enrolled from March to December 2012. Silent AF was assessed by continuous electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring for 24 h after admission. An echocardiography was performed at day 2 ± 1 to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left auricular (LA) dimensions. RESULTS: Among the 187 patients included, 19 (10%) developed silent AF. Patients with silent AF were markedly older (76 vs. 66 years, p < 0.002), with lower creatinine levels (90 vs. 80 µmol/l, p = 0.030) and were less often smokers (5 vs. 24%, p = 0.058) than patients without silent AF. They also showed a trend towards more frequent hypertension and a recent history of infection. Patients with silent AF had a larger indexed LA volume (37.4 vs. 30.8 ml/m(3), p = 0.057) and LA diameter (23.2 vs. 20.8 mm/m(2), p = 0.059). LVEF in the two groups was similar. In multivariate analysis, only age remained an independent estimate of silent AF. CONCLUSION: Silent AF detected by continuous ECG monitoring is common and closely associated with older age. Further studies are needed to investigate the interest of systematically screening for silent AF for secondary prevention after ischemic stroke/TIA.

The impact of World and European Football Cups on stroke in the population of Dijon, France: a longitudinal study from 1986 to 2006.

BACKGROUND: Acute stress may trigger vascular events. We aimed to investigate whether important football competitions involving the French football team increased the occurrence of stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved data of fatal and nonfatal stroke during 4 World Football Cups (1986, 1998, 2002, and 2006) and 4 European Championships (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004), based on data from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. One period of exposure was analyzed: the period of competition extended to 15 days before and after the competitions. The number of strokes was compared between exposed and unexposed corresponding periods of preceding and following years using Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 175 strokes were observed during the exposed periods compared with 192 and 217 strokes in the unexposed preceding and following periods. Multivariate regression analyses showed an overall 30% significant decrease in stroke numbers between periods of competition and unexposed periods of following year (risk ratio (RR) = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.6; P = .029) but not with that of preceding year (RR = 1.1; 95% CI = .9-1.3; P = .367). This was mostly explained by a 40% decrease in stroke numbers during European Championships, compared with the unexposed following periods (RR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.0-1.9; P = .044) in stratified analyses by football competitions. CONCLUSIONS: Watching European football competitions had a positive impact in the city of Dijon with a decrease of stroke numbers. European championship is possibly associated with higher television audience and long-lasting euphoria although other factors may be involved. Further studies using nationwide data are recommended to validate these findings.

Population-based validation of the iScore for predicting mortality and early functional outcome in ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the accuracy of the iScore for predicting mortality and early disability following ischemic stroke in a French population-based study. METHODS: All patients with acute ischemic stroke were identified among residents of the city of Dijon, France, between 2006 and 2011, using a population-based stroke registry. The 30-day iScore and 1-year iScore were calculated. A logistic regression model was used to assess the performance of the iScore for predicting both 30-day and 1-year mortality, and poor functional outcome at discharge (modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6). The discrimination and calibration of the model were assessed using the c-statistic and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 1,199 ischemic stroke patients recorded, 107 (8.9%) were excluded because at least one item of data was missing. For the remaining 1,092 patients, the c-statistic was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.82-0.89) for 30-day and 0.84 (0.81-0.87) for 1-year mortality, and calibration was good (p = 0.82 and p = 0.96, respectively, for the Hosmer-Lemeshow test). Similar results were found for disability (c-statistic 0.81, 95% CI: 0.79-0.84, and p = 0.45 for the Hosmer-Lemeshow test). CONCLUSION: This is the first population-based study to demonstrate the accuracy of the iScore for predicting mortality and early disability in ischemic stroke patients.

The deleterious effect of admission hyperglycemia on survival and functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the association between blood glucose (BG) levels at admission and both functional outcome at discharge and 1-month mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: All cases of first-ever ICH were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France from 1985 to 2009. Clinical and radiological information was recorded. BG was measured at admission. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic and Cox regression models. Multiple imputation was used as a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: We recorded 465 first-ever ICH. BG at admission was obtained in 416 patients (89.5%) with a median value of 6.92 mmol/L. In multivariate analyses, BG in the highest tertile (≥8.6 mmol/L) was an independent predictor of functional handicap (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.43-4.40; P=0.01) and 1-month mortality (hazard ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.23-2.43; P=0.002). The results were consistent with those obtained from multiple imputation analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor functional recovery at discharge and 1-month mortality after ICH. These results suggest a need for trials that evaluate strategies to lower BG in acute ICH.

Poststroke disposition and associated factors in a population-based study: the Dijon Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The organization of poststroke care will be a major challenge in coming years. We aimed to assess hospital disposition after stroke and its associated factors in clinical practice. METHODS: All cases of stroke from 2006 to 2010 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Demographic features, risk factors, and prestroke treatments were recorded. Admission stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. At discharge, we collected dementia, disability using the modified Rankin Scale, length of stay, and hospital disposition (home, rehabilitation, convalescent home, and nursing home). Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models to identify associated factors of postdischarge disposition. RESULTS: Of the patients with 1069 stroke included, 913 survived acute care. Among them, 433 (47.4%) returned home, whereas 206 (22.6%) were discharged to rehabilitation, 134 (14.7%) were admitted to a convalescent home, and 140 (15.3%) to a nursing home. Old patients, those under anticoagulants before stroke, those with severe stroke on admission, severe disability at discharge, dementia, or prolonged length of stay were less likely to return home. Moreover, advanced age, severe initial stroke, severe disability at discharge, and dementia were associated with admission to convalescent and nursing homes rather than rehabilitation centers. CONCLUSION: This population-based study demonstrated that postdischarge destinations are associated with several factors. Our findings may be useful to establish health policy concerning the organization of poststroke care.

Prior transient ischemic attack and dementia after subsequent ischemic stroke.

Although functional recovery and survival after ischemic stroke seem to improve in patients with prior transient ischemic attack (TIA), little is known about the effect of prior TIA on poststroke cognition. To evaluate the impact of prior TIA on dementia, 1697 nonaphasic patients who survived the first month after their first-ever ischemic stroke were identified from the population-based registry of Dijon, France, from 1985 to 2007 and divided into 3 groups according to the time interval between prior TIA and stroke (<4 wk, ≥4 wk, no TIA). Outcome was dementia diagnosed by neurologists using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders-III or IV criteria over the first month after stroke. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. The prevalence of dementia after stroke was 20.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 18.5-22.7], 26.8% (95% CI, 13.3-40.4), and 33.1% (95% CI, 27.3-38.9) among patients without TIA, with a prestroke TIA≥4 weeks, and with a prestroke TIA<4 weeks, respectively. Patients with prestroke TIA<4 weeks (adjusted odds ratio: 1.83; 95% CI, 1.32-2.52; P=0.0003) had a higher risk of dementia than those without TIA.

[Epidemiology of stroke in the elderly : "the silver tsunami"]. / Epidémiologie des accidents vasculaires cérébraux du sujet âgé : "The silver tsunami".

Stroke in the elderly has more major differences compared to young people. The first cause remains the atherothrombosis disease associated to the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco consumption. Lipohyalinosis of perforating arteries linked to blood hypertension inducing lacunar infarcts and atrial fibrillation are the 2nd and 3rd causes linked to age. The increase of the ageing population explains the rise of the number of stroke over 80 years. On a clinical point of view, the pseudo-bulbar syndrome is very frequent and explains the swallowing troubles and incontinence. Prognosis is characterized by a high risk of dementia (20 %). Primary and secondary prevention is very effective even in very old patients, on the risk of stroke. Fibrinolysis and stroke units have demonstrated their efficacy in stroke treatments over 80 years. We observed a decrease of case-fatality rates at any day with a delay in age of onset of stroke of 5 years in men and 8 years in women, suggesting an increase of life expectancy without stroke, reflecting a certain efficacy of prevention. The elderly may be more often included in therapeutic trials.

Prevalence of early dementia after first-ever stroke: a 24-year population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: No data about temporal change in the prevalence of poststroke dementia are available. We aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of early poststroke dementia. METHODS: From 1985 to 2008, overall first-ever strokes occurring within the population of the city of Dijon, France (150 000 inhabitants) were recorded. The presence of dementia was diagnosed during the first month after stroke, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third and Fourth Editions criteria. Time trends were analyzed according to 4 periods: 1985 to 1990, 1991 to 1996, 1997 to 2002, and 2003 to 2008. Logistic regression was used for nonmultivariate analyses. RESULTS: Over the 24 years, 3948 first-ever strokes were recorded. Among patients with stroke, 3201 (81%) were testable of whom 653 (20.4%) had poststroke dementia (337 women and 316 men). The prevalence of nontestable (mostly due to death) patients declined from 28.0% to 10.2% (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed significant temporal changes in the prevalence of poststroke dementia; prevalence in the second and fourth periods was, respectively, almost half and twice that in the first period. The prevalence of poststroke dementia associated with lacunar stroke was 7 times higher than that in intracerebral hemorrhage but declined over time as did prestroke antihypertensive medication. Age, several vascular risk factors, hemiplegia, and prestroke antiplatelet agents were associated with an increased prevalence of poststroke dementia. CONCLUSIONS: This study covering a period of 24 years highlights temporal changes in the prevalence of early dementia after first-ever stroke. These changes may be explained by concomitant determinants of survival and incidence such as stroke care management or prestroke medication.

Evaluation of the possible impact of a care network for stroke and transient ischemic attack on rates of recurrence.

We aimed to demonstrate that a stroke network is able to reduce the proportion of recurrent cerebrovascular events. In 2003, we set up a care network with the aim to reduce the proportion of stroke recurrence. For the statistical analysis, recurrent cerebrovascular events observed from 1985 to 2002 within the population of Dijon made it possible to model trends using Poisson logistic regression. From 1985 to 2002, we recorded 172 recurrent cerebrovascular events which were used to model trends before the creation of the care network. Within the period 2003-2007, we observed 162 recurrent cerebrovascular events compared with 196.7 expected cerebrovascular events with a significant standardized incidence rate of 0.82 (0.70-0.96; p = 0.01). After eliminating the role of some environmental factors, the possible hypothesis for the fall in recurrent stokes is probably the positive effect of the stroke care network.

Stroke in the very old: incidence, risk factors, clinical features, outcomes and access to resources--a 22-year population-based study.

BACKGROUND: For several years, the burden of stroke in very old patients has been increasing in western countries. Nevertheless, we have little information about this new challenge in individuals >or=80. METHODS: We ascertained all first-ever strokes in the population of Dijon, France (150,000 inhabitants), from 1985 to 2006. The incidence of stroke, risk factors, clinical presentation, resource mobilization and 1-month outcome were evaluated in individuals >or=80 and compared to the data obtained in younger patients. RESULTS: We collected 1,410 first-ever strokes in people >or=80 years (39%) versus 2,130 in those <80 years. The incidence was 997/100,000, and 68/100,000, respectively. Over the 22 years, the incidence of stroke in individuals >or=80 years rose significantly. A lower prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and alcohol intake, as well as a higher prevalence of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, previous myocardial infarction and use of prestroke antiplatelet agents were noted in patients >or=80 years. The clinical presentation was severer and the 1-month outcome in terms of case fatality and handicap was worse, despite improvements observed over time. Finally, in patients >or=80 years, the use of CT scan, MRI, cervical Doppler, angiography and carotid surgery were significantly lower than for younger patients. Length of stay >30 days was more frequent, and discharge to prestroke residence was less common. However, all these improved between the first and the last study periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have important implications not only for clinical management but also for initiating preventive strategies and health policy.

[Epidemiology of stroke]. / Epidémiologie des accidents vasculaires cérébraux.

Stroke is a disabling and very heterogeneous disease that has beneficiated from major therapeutic improvements over the past 25 years both in terms of preventive strategies and acute care. The better knowledge of the epidemiology of stroke has allowed to recognize the worldwide burden of the disease, and to identify the vascular risk factors. This article reviews the main current data about the epidemiology of stroke.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Revealing Moyamoya Syndrome in a Patient With May-Hegglin Anomaly.

INTRODUCTION: Moyamoya syndrome is a rare progressive cerebrovascular occlusive disease for which several associated conditions have been described. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with a history of May-Hegglin anomaly who presented with an isolated unusual diffuse headache. Initial laboratory investigations showed only thrombocytopenia (platelet count 95000/µL). Unenhanced brain computed tomography scan revealed a small subarachnoid hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe. Computed tomography angiography showed occlusion of the terminal portion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and narrowing of the terminal portion of the right ICA with abnormal collateral vessels. Conventional angiography confirmed the tight stenosis of the extremity of the right ICA, and the occlusion of the left ICA, associated with an extensive collateral network consistent with moyamoya syndrome. No aneurysm was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The rarity of these 2 diseases makes a fortuitous association very unlikely. We thus concluded that this observation could be the first reported case of May-Hegglin anomaly as a cause of moyamoya syndrome.

Diagnostic procedures in ischaemic stroke patients with dementia. a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is a frequent condition in stroke patients. AIMS: To investigate the effect of dementia on access to diagnostic procedures in ischaemic stroke patients. METHODS: All cases of ischaemic stroke from 2006 to 2010 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Patients' characteristics were recorded, as was the use of brain computed tomography scans, brain magnetic resonance imaging, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and Doppler ultrasonography of the cervical arteries. Dementia was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between dementia and the use of the diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: Of the 907 patients recorded, 104 were excluded because of death and inability to test cognition. Among the remaining 803 patients, 149 (18·5%) had dementia. Almost all of the patients underwent a brain computed tomography scan and an electrocardiogram during their stay. In contrast, the use of both Doppler ultrasonography of the cervical arteries (79·2% versus 90·2%, P < 0·001), echocardiography (32·9% versus 43·6%, P = 0·02), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (21·5% versus 34·4%, P < 0·001) were significantly lower in stroke patients with dementia than in those without. In multivariate logistic regression, dementia was associated with a lower use of both Doppler ultrasonography (odds ratio = 0·49; 95% confidence interval: 0·29-0·81, P = 0·005), echocardiography (odds ratio = 0·57; 95% confidence interval: 0·37-0·89, P = 0·012), brain magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio = 0·55; 95% confidence interval: 0·34-0·89, P = 0·015), and a comprehensive assessment (odds ratio = 0·62; 95% confidence interval: 0·40-0·96, P = 0·033). CONCLUSION: Demented patients were less likely to undergo diagnostic procedures after ischaemic stroke. Further studies are needed to determine whether this lower utilization could account for the reported excess in recurrent events in these patients.

Relevance of Post-Stroke Circulating BDNF Levels as a Prognostic Biomarker of Stroke Outcome. Impact of rt-PA Treatment.

The recombinant form of tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only curative treatment for ischemic stroke. Recently, t-PA has been linked to the metabolism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin involved in post-stroke neuroplasticity. Thus, the objective of our study was to investigate the impact of rt-PA treatment on post-stroke circulating BDNF levels in humans and in animals. Serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity were measured at hospital admission and at up to 90 days in stroke patients receiving (n = 24) or not (n = 14) rt-PA perfusion. We investigated the relationships between serum BDNF with concurrent t-PA/plasmin activity, neurological outcomes and cardiovascular scores at admission. In parallel, serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity were assessed before and after (1, 4 and 24h) the induction of ischemic stroke in rats. Our study revealed higher serum BDNF levels and better neurological outcome in rt-PA-treated than non-treated patients. However, serum BDNF levels did not predict stroke outcome when the whole cohort of stroke patients was analyzed. By contrast, serum BDNF levels when measured at admission and at day 90 correlated with cardiovascular scores, and those at day 1 correlated with serum t-PA/plasmin activity in the whole cohort of patients whereas no association could be found in the rt-PA-treated group. In rats devoid of cardiovascular risk, no difference in post-stroke serum BDNF levels was detected between rt-PA- and vehicle-treated animals and no correlation was found between serum BDNF levels and t-PA/plasmin activity. Overall, the data suggest that serum BDNF levels may not be useful as a prognostic biomarker of stroke outcome and that endothelial dysfunction could be a confounding factor when serum BDNF levels after stroke are used to reflect of brain BDNF levels.