Differences in lipid profiles in two Hispanic ischemic stroke populations.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The study aims to compare lipid profiles among ischemic stroke patients in a predominantly Caribbean-Hispanic population in Miami and a Mestizo Hispanic population in Mexico City. METHODS: We analyzed ischemic stroke Hispanic patients with complete baseline fasting lipid profile enrolled contemporaneously in the prospective registries of two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Mexico City and Miami. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, medications, ischemic stroke subtype, and first fasting lipid profile were compared. Vascular risk factor definitions were standardized. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to compare lipid fractions. RESULTS: A total of 324 patients from Mexico and 236 from Miami were analyzed. Mexicans were significantly younger (58 · 1 vs. 67 · 4 years), had a lower frequency of hypertension (53 · 4% vs. 79 · 7%), and lower body mass index (27 vs. 28 · 5). There was a trend toward greater prevalence of diabetes in Mexicans (31 · 5 vs. 24 · 6%, P = 0 · 07). Statin use at the time of ischemic stroke was more common in Miami Hispanics (18 · 6 vs. 9 · 4%). Mexicans had lower total cholesterol levels (169 · 9 ± 46 · 1 vs. 179 · 9 ± 48 · 4 mg/dl), lower low-density lipoprotein (92 · 3 ± 37 · 1 vs. 108 · 2 ± 40 · 8 mg/dl), and higher triglyceride levels (166 · 9 ± 123 · 9 vs. 149 · 2 ± 115 · 2 mg/dl). These differences remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, ischemic stroke subtype, and statin use. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences in lipid fractions in Hispanic ischemic stroke patients, with lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, and higher triglyceride levels in Mexicans. These findings highlight the heterogeneity of dyslipidemia among the Hispanic race-ethnic group and may lead to different secondary prevention strategies.

Mechanisms of ischemic stroke in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the types and mechanisms of stroke in a large population of HIV-infected patients. METHODS: We reviewed records of consecutive HIV-infected patients with acute stroke admitted to a large metropolitan hospital between 1996 and 2004. Stroke mechanism was defined by consensus between two cerebrovascular neurologists using TOAST classification. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were included, 77 with ischemic stroke and 5 with intracerebral hemorrhage. Mean age was 42 years and 89% were African American. Previous diagnosis of HIV infection was documented in 91% and AIDS diagnosis in 80%. Mean CD4 count was 113 cells/mm(3) and 85% had CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3). A total of 61% of patients had received combination antiretroviral treatment (CART). The mechanism of ischemic stroke was large artery atherosclerosis in 12%, cardiac embolism in 18%, small vessel occlusion in 18%, other determined etiology in 23%, and undetermined in 29% (including 19% with incomplete evaluation). Vasculitis was deemed responsible for the stroke in 10 patients (13%) and hypercoagulability in 7 (9%). Protein S deficiency was noted in 10/22 (45%) and anticardiolipin antibodies in 9/31 (29%) tested patients. When comparing patients with large or small vessel disease (atherothrombotic strokes) vs the rest of the population, there were no differences in exposure to CART or CD4 count, but patients with non-atherothrombotic strokes were younger (p = 0.04). Recent cocaine exposure was less common among patients with atherothrombotic strokes (p = 0.02). Strokes were fatal or severely disabling in 35% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke mechanisms are variable in HIV-infected patients, with a relatively high incidence of vasculitis and hypercoagulability. In our population of severely immunodepressed patients, exposure to combination antiretroviral treatment did not significantly influence the mechanism of stroke.

Surgical treatment of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis presenting with stroke.

BACKGROUND: Necropsy studies have shown that nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) may be associated with cerebral infarctions and antemortem diagnosis is now possible. However, the best treatment for patients with NBTE presenting with stroke is not known. We describe three patients presenting with an acute embolic stroke secondary to large,mobile vegetations detected by transthoracic (one case) or transesophageal echocardiography (two cases). All patients underwent surgery for removal of the vegetations to prevent recurrent embolic events; valve replacement was necessary in two cases. The sterile nature of the vegetations was confirmed by pathological examination and negative stains and cultures of the surgical samples. A previously unrecognized hypercoagulable condition was diagnosed in all patients (antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in two cases and disseminated adenocarcinoma in one case). CONCLUSION: NBTE should be considered among the possible causes of embolic stroke even in the absence of history of cancer, hypercoagulability, or previous embolic manifestations. If NBTE is diagnosed, the possibility of underlying thrombophilia should be thoroughly investigated. Valvular surgery represents a valuable therapeutic alternative in patients with large mobile vegetations, valvular dysfunction or recurrent embolic events despite anticoagulation.

[Detection of microembolus with transcranial doppler]. / Detección de microémbolos con Doppler transcraneal.

OBJECTIVES: To review techniques and the most important clinical applications of microembolus detection with transcranial Doppler. DEVELOPMENT: Technical aspects of microembolus detection are discussed initially; clinical circumstances in which embolus detection is currently used follow, such as carotid stenosis, cardiac pathology, monitoring during neuroangiography, coronary revascularization surgery and endarterectomy. Lastly, the potential clinical applications of this technique are reviewed: localization of an embolic source, risk of recurrent ischemia in patients with unstable atherosclerotic plaques, intraoperative monitoring and potential surgical technique modifications based on this information, contributions to the understanding of the pathophysiology of the fat embolism syndrome, and monitoring therapeutic efficacy of antithrombotics and thrombolytics. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to detect cerebral emboli with transcranial ultrasound has increased significantly our understanding about the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. Microembolus detection with transcranial Doppler is a powerful and novel diagnostic technique that allows to study the embolic process in vivo and in real time, instead of using indirect indicators of embolism (clinical and radiological features, possible embolic sources, etc.).

Skull base metastases causing acute bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy.

Acute bilateral tongue palsy is a rare clinical presentation. We report one such case caused by skull base metastases from prostate cancer. There were no other cranial nerves involved or associated neurological deficit. Mild improvement was seen following radiation therapy. We review the anatomy of the nerve and differential diagnosis of its disfunction.