Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Thrombolysis in the 3- to 4.5-hour Window in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Who Have Both Diabetes Mellitus and History of Prior Stroke

Background@#For acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with history of prior stroke (PS) and diabetes mellitus (DM), intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) therapy in the 3- to 4.5-hour window is off-label in Korea. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of IV-tPA in these patients. @*Methods@#Using data from a prospective multicenter stroke registry between January 2009 and March 2021, we identified AIS patients who received IV-tPA in the 3- to 4.5-hour window, and compared the outcomes of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), 3-month mortality, 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-1 and 3-month mRS distribution between patients with both PS and DM (PS/DM, n=56) versus those with neither PS nor DM, or with only one (non-PS/DM, n=927). @*Results@#The PS/DM group versus the non-PS/DM group was more likely to have a prior disability, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease and less likely to have atrial fibrillation. The PS/DM and the non-PS/DM groups had comparable rates of SICH (0% vs. 1.7%; p>0.999) and 3-month mortality (10.7% vs. 10.2%; p=0.9112). The rate of 3-month mRS 0-1 was non-significantly lower in the PS/DM group than in the non-PS/DM group (30.4% vs. 40.7%; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.81 [0.41-1.59]). @*Conclusions@#In the 3- to 4.5-hour window, AIS patients with PS/DM, as compared to those with non-PS/DM, might benefit less from IV-tPA. However, given the similar risks of SICH and mortality, IV-tPA in the late time window could be considered in patients with both PS and DM.

Emergency Cervical Carotid Artery Stenting After Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients With Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke

Background@#Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA) is the mainstay of treatment for acute ischemic stroke to recanalize thrombosed intracranial vessels within 4.5 hours. Emergency carotid artery stenting for the treatment of acute stroke due to stenoocclusion of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) can improve symptoms, prevent neurological deterioration, and reduce recurrent stroke risk. The feasibility and safety of the combination therapy of IV rtPA and urgent carotid artery stenting have not been established. @*Methods@#From November 2005 to October 2020, we retrospectively assessed patients who had undergone emergent carotid artery stenting after IV rtPA for hyperacute ischemic stroke due to steno-occlusive proximal ICA lesion. Hemorrhagic transformation, successful recanalization, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, and stent patency at 3 and 12 months or longer were evaluated. Favorable outcome was defined as a 90-days mRS score of ≤ 2. @*Results@#Nineteen patients with hyperacute stroke had undergone emergent carotid artery stenting after IV rtPA therapy. Their median age was 70 (67.5–73.5) years (94.7% men).Among 15 patients with an additional intracranial occlusion after flow restoration in the proximal ICA, a modified TICI grade ≥ 2b was achieved in 11 patients (73.3%). Hemorrhagic transformation occurred in five patients (26.3%); mortality rate was 5.7%. Eleven patients (57.9%) had favorable outcomes at 90 days. Stent patients (94.1%) maintained stent patency for ≥ 12 months. @*Conclusion@#We showed that emergent carotid artery stenting after IV rtPA therapy for hyperacute stroke caused by atherosclerotic proximal ICA steno-occlusion was feasible and safe.

Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy in a Patient with Monocular Blindness Due to Thrombus of the Ophthalmic Artery Orifice

BACKGROUND: Retinal artery occlusion can lead to sudden visual loss without pain. The acute management of retinal artery occlusion remains unresolved. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old male was hospitalized to an emergency room for visual loss on the left side within 6 hours of onset. Combined occlusion at retinal artery and ciliary artery was confirmed by an ophthalmologist and we assessed ophthalmic artery occlusion. However, MRA revealed no significant steno-occlusion of internal carotid artery. Transfemoral cerebral angiography was carried out immediately and showed a movable thrombus at the orifice of the ophthalmic artery. We decided on endovascular thrombectomy to prevent permanent visual loss. Finally, his visual acuity was improved after successful thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although MRA is intact, small thrombus right at the orifice of the ophthalmic artery can cause a sudden monocular visual loss due to occlusion of the retinal artery. In this setting, urgent endovascular thrombectomy can offer visual improvement.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Presenting with Pseudoathetosis

No abstract available.

Steroid Non-responsive Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Improved by Rituximab

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune disease, with symptoms of encephalopathy and high titers of serum anti-thyroid antibodies. Current diagnostic criteria include corticosteroid responsiveness, but in some cases, they are refractory to corticosteroids. In steroid non-responders, other immunomodulatory therapies could be applied. Recently, Rituximab is reported as a safe and effective treatment for Hashimoto's encephalopathy. We report a 50-year-old woman with Hashimoto's encephalopathy presented with confusion and catatonia who was refractory to corticosteroid and immunoglobulin but effectively treated with rituximab.