Dolichoectasia: a brain arterial disease with an elusive treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Dolichoectasia is a form of brain large artery disease associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. Progressive enlargement of arterial size is a predictor of mortality, but there are no specific treatments for arresting or slowing down dilatation. Additionally, dilated brain arteries can cause flow stagnation, which can trigger thrombosis and cause stroke. Pathology and genetic studies indicate a possible role for increased matrix metalloproteinase activation in arterial dilatation and thus in the pathophysiology of dolichoectasia. Therefore, therapeutic interventions aimed at slowing down arterial dilatation and preventing thrombosis could hypothetically play a role in treating patients with dolichoectasia. METHODS: We present four patients with dolichoectasia that exemplify therapeutic challenges worth discussing in the context of the current literature. Two patients were treated off-label with doxycycline (based on its antiMMP properties) and with apixaban, one patient was put on warfarin and later switched to aspirin, and the fourth patient underwent endovascular treatment. RESULTS: We report four cases, all men 50 years or older. Of the two patients treated with doxycycline, we noted a slowdown of the basilar artery (BA) growth, but the BA continued to grow in the other patient. Of the two patients who received apixaban, none had a subsequent stroke in 5 and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. One patient was admitted with a fatal BA thrombosis and rupture, and pathological examination of the brain arteries demonstrated advanced arterial wall degeneration but no atherosclerosis. DISCUSSION: These cases exemplify the challenges of treating people with dolichoectasia and highlight the need for better evidence regarding the best possible treatment for this population.

Different Predictive Factors for Early Neurological Deterioration Based on the Location of Single Subcortical Infarction: Early Prognosis in Single Subcortical Infarction.

Background and Purpose: Patients with single subcortical infarctions (SSIs) have relatively a favorable prognosis, but they often experience early neurological deterioration (END). In this study, we compared the predictors for END in patients with SSI according to the location of the lesion. Methods: We included consecutive patients with SSIs within 72 hours of symptom onset presenting between 2010 and 2016. END was defined as an increase of ≥2 in the total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or ≥1 in the motor NIHSS score within the first 72 hours of admission. Along with the analysis of all patients with SSI, we also analyzed the predictors for END in proximal/distal SSI patients and anterior/posterior circulation SSI patients. Results: A total of 438 patients with SSI were evaluated. In multivariable analysis, initial NIHSS score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.15­1.60]), pulsatility index (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.03­1.52]), parent artery disease (adjusted odds ratio, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.06­4.33]), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.04­1.49]) were positively associated with END. In patients with proximal SSI, initial NIHSS score, pulsatility index, parent artery disease, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio showed positive associations with END. Meanwhile, no variable related to END was found in the distal SSI group. When we compared the predictors for END based on the involved vascular territory, higher initial NIHSS score and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly associated with END in patients with anterior circulation SSIs. On the contrary, higher pulsatility index values and the presence of parent artery disease were independent predictors for END in patients with SSIs in the posterior circulation. Conclusions: Initial NIHSS score, pulsatility index, parent artery disease, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with END in patients with SSIs. The frequency and predictors for END differ depending on the location of the SSI.

Effect of Long-term Continuous Cardiac Monitoring vs Usual Care on Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Stroke Attributed to Large- or Small-Vessel Disease: The STROKE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with ischemic stroke attributed to large- or small-vessel disease are not considered at high risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), and the AF incidence rate in this population is unknown. Objectives: To determine whether long-term cardiac monitoring is more effective than usual care for AF detection in patients with stroke attributed to large- or small-vessel disease through 12 months of follow-up. Design, Setting, and Participants: The STROKE-AF trial was a randomized (1:1), multicenter (33 sites in the US) clinical trial that enrolled 496 patients between April 2016 and July 2019, with primary end point follow-up through August 2020. Eligible patients were aged 60 years or older or aged 50 to 59 years with at least 1 additional stroke risk factor and had an index stroke attributed to large- or small-vessel disease within 10 days prior to insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) insertion. Interventions: Patients randomized to the intervention group (n = 242) received ICM insertion within 10 days of the index stroke; patients in the control group (n = 250) received site-specific usual care consisting of external cardiac monitoring, such as 12-lead electrocardiograms, Holter monitoring, telemetry, or event recorders. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident AF lasting more than 30 seconds through 12 months. Results: Among 492 patients who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 67.1 [9.4] years; 185 [37.6%] women), 417 (84.8%) completed 12 months of follow-up. The median (interquartile range) CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, sex category) score was 5 (4-6). AF detection at 12 months was significantly higher in the ICM group vs the control group (27 patients [12.1%] vs 4 patients [1.8%]; hazard ratio, 7.4 [95% CI, 2.6-21.3]; P < .001). Among the 221 patients in the ICM group who received an ICM, 4 (1.8%) had ICM procedure-related adverse events (1 site infection, 2 incision site hemorrhages, and 1 implant site pain). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with stroke attributed to large- or small-vessel disease, monitoring with an ICM compared with usual care detected significantly more AF over 12 months. However, further research is needed to understand whether identifying AF in these patients is of clinical importance. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02700945.

Intracranial arterial stenosis associated with Hashimoto's disease: angiographic features and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's disease has reportedly been associated with stroke; however, cerebrovascular morphology and clinical course remain poorly documented. The present study aimed to determine the angiographic features and clinical outcomes of intracranial arterial stenosis (IAS) associated with Hashimoto's disease in a retrospective cohort. METHODS: Overall, 107 adult patients with IAS were screened for anti-thyroid antibodies; of these, 26 patients tested positive. The 42 affected hemispheres were classified into subgroups according to the steno-occlusion site and the development of abnormal collateral (moyamoya) vessels. These subgroups were dichotomized into moyamoya vessels positive (MM type) and negative (non-MM type). The initial presentation, IAS progression, and vascular events during the follow-up period were compared. RESULTS: The following sites of stenosis were identified: the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery in 11 (26.2%), M1 or A1 in 29 (69.0%), and more distal (M2-M4/A2-A4) in 2 (4.8%) hemispheres. Further, 17 hemispheres were categorized into the MM type and 25 were classified into the non-MM type. During the follow-up period (mean 2.5 years), IAS progression was identified in 8 (32%) hemispheres of the non-MM type and 0 (0%) hemispheres of the MM type (p = 0.041). Ischemic attacks occurred in 5 (20.0%) hemispheres of the non-MM type (4.6%/year) and 0 hemispheres of the MM type (p = 0.08). Further, 4 (23.5%) hemispheres of the MM type experienced intracerebral hemorrhage, whereas none of the non-MM type hemorrhaged (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Hashimoto's disease-associated IAS exhibits various angiographic morphologies, resulting in different clinical presentations. Screening for anti-thyroid antibodies and careful management based on vascular morphology appears important in adults with IAS.

[Endovascular recanalization of symptomatic non-acute intracranial arterial occlusion: a single center case series].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute intracranial arterial occlusion (NAICO). Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent endovascular recanalization for NAICO between January 2017 and October 2019 at Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.There were 20 males and 5 females, aged (60.5±11.0) years (range: 41 to 73 years).The preoperative modified Rankin score(M(Q(R))) was 2 (2.5)(range: 1 to 5).The occlusion time was 40 (54)days (range: 17 to 570 days).The demographic data were collected. The initial procedural results, including the rate of successful recanalization, periprocedural complications and data pertaining to angiographic and clinical follow-up were recorded. Results: Recanalization was successful in 20 of 27 occlusive lesions of 25 patients. Intraoperative complications occurred in 3 cases, including vascular perforation in 1 case, arterial dissection in 1 case, and perforator occlusion occurred in 1 case. The incidence of permanent complications was 3.7% (1/27). All 25 patients underwent clinical follow-up, with a median period of 8 months (range: 1 to 33 months), and 23 patients with improved or stable modified Rankin scale. One patient developed new ischemic symptoms 2 months after discharge, and 1 patient died of complications of bed rest.The results of the angiography follow-up (median 4 months, range: 2 days to 9 months) showed that reocclusion occurred in 5 of all 20 successfully recanalized patients. Conclusions: Endovascular recanalization for symptomatic NAICO is feasible, relatively safe, and efficacious in highly selected cases. However, further larger scale pilot studies are needed to determine the efficacy and long-term outcome associated with this treatment.

Vascular Cognitive Disorder.

The term vascular cognitive disorder (VCD) refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders in which the primary feature is cognitive impairment attributable to cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This includes not only vascular dementia (VaD) but also cognitive impairment of insufficient severity to meet diagnostic criteria for dementia. VCD is recognized as the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD), but prevalence rates vary widely according to the diagnostic criteria employed. There have been recent attempts to standardize diagnostic criteria. VCD incorporates a range of neuropathological mechanisms including poststroke impairment, small and large vessel disease, and cases of mixed-pathology, with CVD interacting with AD and other neuropathologies. Recent neuroimaging data have improved our understanding of the etiology of VCD. Symptomatic treatments for VaD have modest benefit and there is increased focus on the primary and secondary preventative benefits of vascular risk factor control.

Risk factors outperform intracranial large artery stenosis predicting unfavorable outcomes in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND: This study examined how intracranial large artery stenosis (ILAS), symptomatic and asymptomatic ILAS, and risk factors affect unfavorable outcome events after medical treatment in routine clinical practice. METHODS: This was a 24-month prospective observational study of consecutively recruited stroke patients. All participants underwent magnetic resonance angiography, and their clinical characteristics were assessed. Outcome events were vascular outcome, recurrent stroke, and death. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify potential factors associated with an unfavorable outcome, which included demographic and clinical characteristics, the risk factors, and stenosis status. RESULTS: The analysis included 686 patients; among them, 371 were assessed as ILAS negative, 231 as symptomatic ILAS, and 84 as asymptomatic ILAS. Body mass index (p < .05), hypertension (p = .01), and old infarction (p = .047) were factors relating to vascular outcomes. Hypertension was the only factor for recurrent stroke (p = .035). Poor glomerular filtration rate (< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) (p = .011) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (p < .001) were significant predictors of death. CONCLUSIONS: This study extended previous results from clinical trials to a community-based cohort study by concurrently looking at the presence/absence of stenosis and a symptomatic/asymptomatic stenotic artery. Substantiated risk factors rather than the stenosis status were predominant determinants of adverse outcome. Although the degree of stenosis is often an indicator for treatment, we suggest risk factors, such as hypertension and renal dysfunction, should be monitored and intensively treated.

Specific Factors to Predict Large-Vessel Occlusion in Acute Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke has been established, and earlier treatment produces better outcomes. If possible to identify large-vessel occlusion (LVO) at the prehospital phase, eligible patients can be shipped directly to a hospital that can perform thrombectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that are specific to LVO and can be known before hospital arrival. METHODS: The subjects were stroke patients during the period between July 2014 and June 2016, who had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 8 or higher and came to our hospital within 6 hours of onset. These patients were divided into an LVO group and a non-LVO group, and background factors, mode of onset, individual NIHSS item scores, and blood pressure at the time of the visit were retrospectively investigated. The selected factors were compared with LVO prediction scales reported in the past. RESULTS: There were 196 stroke patients who had NIHSS scores of 8 or higher and arrived at the hospital within 6 hours. Of these 196 patients, 56 had LVO. This LVO group included a significantly higher number of patients with the 2 items of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR], 11.5: 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.04-32.9; P < .0001) and systolic blood pressure of 170 mm Hg or lower (OR, 2.99: 95% CI, 1.33-6.71, P = .008). These 2 items predicted LVO equally to existing LVO prediction scales. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 items of atrial fibrillation and systolic blood pressure of 170 mm Hg or lower were significantly correlated with LVO.

Predicting Progression of Intracranial Arteriopathies in Childhood Stroke With Vessel Wall Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Childhood arterial ischemic stroke is frequently associated with an intracranial arteriopathy that often progresses in the first 3 to 6 months post stroke. We hypothesized that children with enhancing arteriopathies on vessel wall imaging (VWI) would have a higher risk of arteriopathy progression than those without enhancement. METHODS: Our institutional radiographic database was searched for cases of childhood stroke with VWI. Inclusion criteria consisted of age ranging from 1 month through 20 years, diagnosis of arterial ischemic stroke, available VWI, and follow-up magnetic resonance angiogram. Imaging was reviewed to systematically describe VWI findings, categorize arteriopathies, steroid therapy, and identify progressive arteriopathies using CACADE definitions. RESULTS: Sixteen cases of childhood stroke at Children's Hospital Colorado between January 1, 2010 and July 1, 2016 were reviewed. Strong vessel wall enhancement at presentation was associated with progressive arteriopathy in 83% of cases (10/12), when compared with 0% (0/4) without strong enhancement (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Our case series demonstrates the potential benefit of VWI in children with stroke because it may identify patients who will have progressive arterial disease.

Epidemiology of Intracranial and Extracranial Large Artery Stenosis in a Population-Based Study of Stroke in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial large-artery disease (LAD) is a predominant vascular lesion found in patients with stroke of Asian, African, and Hispanic origin, whereas extracranial LAD is more prevalent among Caucasians. These patterns are not well-established in the Middle East. We aimed to characterize the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcome of LAD strokes in a Middle-Eastern population. METHODS: The Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study is a community-based study that prospectively ascertained all cases of stroke among the 450,229 inhabitants of Mashhad, Iran between 2006 and 2007. Ischemic strokes were classified according to the TOAST criteria. Duplex-ultrasonography (98.6%), MR-angiography (8.3%), CT-angiography (11%), and digital-subtraction angiography (9.7%) were performed to identify involvements. Vessels were considered stenotic when the lumen was occluded by >50%. RESULTS: We identified 72 cases (15.99 per 100,000) of incident LAD strokes (mean age 67.6 ± 11.7). Overall, 77% had extracranial LAD (58% male, mean age 69.8 ± 10.3; 50 [89%] carotid vs. 6 [11%] vertebral artery), and the remaining 23% (56% male, mean age 60.2 ± 13.4; 69% anterior-circulation stenosis) had intracranial LAD strokes. We were unable to detect differences in case-fatality between extracranial (1-year: 28.6%; 5-year: 59.8%) and intracranial diseases (1-year: 18.8%; 5-year: 36.8%; log-rank; p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: Extracranial carotid stenosis represents the majority of LAD strokes in this population. Thus, public health strategies may best be developed in such a way that they are targeted toward the risk factors that contribute to extracranial stenosis.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness associated with prognosis of intracranial branch atheromatous disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Small deep brain infarcts are often caused by two different vascular pathologies: branch atheromatous disease (BAD) and lipohyalinotic degeneration (LD). In this study, we compare the clinical characteristics of BAD and LD and investigate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in the prognosis of patients with BAD and LD. METHODS: Of 262 adult patients with small deep infarcts, 104 were considered BAD and 158 were considered LD. Data compared included clinical information, prevalence of lacune and leukoaraiosis, Hcy, CRP, carotid artery IMT, deterioration during admission, and recurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) within 1 year. RESULTS: Patients with LD have severe leukoaraiosis and higher prevalence of lacune and intracerebral hemorrhage compared with those with BAD. Patients with BAD have higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores and incidence of progressive motor deficits compared with those with LD; CRP is associated with the progression in both groups. There is no statistical difference of recurring risk of IS within 1 year between the two groups; by multivariable logistic regression analysis, carotid artery IMT was an independent risk factor for recurrence of IS in 1 year in patients with BAD. CONCLUSION: BAD as an independent clinical entity has different clinical and radiological characteristics compared with LD. Carotid artery IMT is an independent risk factor for recurrence of IS in patients with BAD.

Local blood pressure associates with the degree of luminal stenosis in patients with atherosclerotic disease in the middle cerebral artery.

The mechanism underlying atherosclerotic ischemic events within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is unclear. High structural stress induced by blood pressure might be a potential aetiology as plaque rupture occurs when such mechanical loading exceeds its material strength. To perform reliable analyses quantifying the mechanical loading within a plaque, the local blood pressure is needed. However, data on MCA blood pressure is currently lacking. In this study, the arterial pressure proximal to the stenotic site in the MCA was measured in 15 patients scheduled for intervention. The relationships between these local measurements and pre-intervention and intra-intervention non-invasive arm measurements were assessed. The impact of luminal stenosis on the local blood pressure was quantified. Compared with the pre-intervention arm measurement, the intra-intervention arm pressure decreased significantly by 23.9 ± 11.8 and 9.3 ± 14.7 % at diastole and systole, respectively. The pressure proximal to the stenosis was much lower than the pre-intervention arm measurement (diastole: 65.3 ± 15.7 vs 82.0 ± 9.7, p < 0.01; systole: 81.1 ± 15.9 vs 133.9 ± 18.7, p < 0.01; unit: mmHg). The systolic pressure in the MCA in patients with stenosis <70 % (n = 6) was significantly higher than the value in patients with stenosis ≥70 % (n = 9) (92.0 ± 7.3 vs 73.9 ± 16.1, p = 0.02; unit: mmHg), as was pulse pressure (22.8 ± 6.4 vs 11.1 ± 8.3, p = 0.01; unit: mmHg). However, diastolic pressure remained unaffected (69.2 ± 9.3 vs 62.8 ± 19.0, p = 0.58; unit: mmHg). In conclusion, the obtained results are helpful in understanding the local hemodynamic environment modulated by the presence of atherosclerosis. The local pressure measurements can be used for computational analysis to quantify the critical mechanical condition within an MCA lesion.

Unilateral symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis and myopathy in an adolescent with Graves disease: a case report of an high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study.

Vascular and muscular involvements in Graves disease (GD) are rare. Here, we report a case of a 17-year-old patient with unilateral symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis concurrent with GD and myopathy. He presented with a 1-day history of acute severe right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia and a 3-week history of high metabolic syndrome. The pathogenesis of the stenosis is most likely vasculitis rather than atherosclerosis, based on contrast-enhanced high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging showing concentric wall enhancement. We suggest that lipid storage myopathy is secondary to GD, and it is likely mitochondrial dysfunction or immune dysfunction induced by GD responsible for the myopathy and that magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is capable of establishing the diagnosis of myopathy. Thus, MRS can be used for follow-up evaluations of the myopathy along with the pathology biopsy.

Spontaneous isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection: rare but underdiagnosed cause of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection (PICAD) is a very rare cause of ischemic stroke. Clinical and radiologic features of ischemic type of isolated spontaneous PICAD are not well established. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled patients who had spontaneous isolated PICAD confirmed by digital subtraction cerebral angiography. Clinical manifestation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiography were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven patients were diagnosed as ischemic type of spontaneous isolated PICAD. Patients experienced an occipital headache, followed by vertigo, postural imbalance, or Wallenberg syndrome. Six showed medullar, unilateral, or bilateral cerebellar infarctions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). One presented with transient cerebellar ischemia and negative on DWI. T1-weighted imaging showed high signal intensity in posterior inferior cerebellar artery in only 1 patient. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) revealed hypointense signal with blooming effect in posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 5 patients. The modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months was 0 or 1 in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations in ischemic type of spontaneous isolated PICAD were similar to those of intracranial vertebral artery dissection. Clinical course was relatively stable and benign. SWI was more helpful to suspect abnormality of posterior inferior cerebellar artery than conventional MRI or magnetic resonance angiography in our small series. Cerebral angiography is recommended in patients with clinically suspected spontaneous isolated PICAD for definite diagnosis.

The Spectrum of Intracranial Arteriopathies and Ischemic Strokes in Pediatric Tubercular Meningitis: A Tricentric Study From Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Addressing the need to uniformly classify arteriopathies among patients with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tubercular meningitis (TBM), we used the Childhood AIS Standardised Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation (CASCADE) criteria. METHODS: This tri-centric prospective study included children aged 0.5-12 years with TBM and AIS. Magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs) were done during admission and repeated 3 and 12 months after discharge. Arteriopathies were classified according to the primary CASCADE criteria. We used the modified Pediatric Alberta Stroke Programme Early Computed Tomography Score as an ordinal measure of infarct volume. The severity of arteriopathies was graded using the focal cerebral arteriopathy severity score (FCASS). The final outcomes were measured at the 12-month follow-up visit using the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM). RESULTS: Out of 55 patients, 64% had MRA-evidenced arteriopathies and 84% had multiple infarcts. The middle cerebral (46%) and internal carotid arteries (22%) were most commonly affected. The basal ganglia (70%) and the cerebral cortex (61%) were most commonly infarcted. CASCADE categories included 3b (40%), 1d (38%), 2b (16%), 2c (5%), progressive (32%), and stable (44%) arteriopathies. Younger age, hypertrophic pachymeningitis, cortical infarcts, recurrent strokes, progressive arteriopathies, EEG abnormalities, and mortality were significantly higher among patients with MRA-proven arteriopathies. Patients with progressive arteriopathies had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertrophic pachymeningitis, cortical infarcts, and recurrent strokes. FCASS correlated positively with outcomes measured by the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure and modified Pediatric Alberta Stroke Programme Early Computed Tomography Score. CONCLUSION: The CASCADE classification clarified the arteriopathy patterns, enabling us to correlate them with the characteristics of the infarcts. FCASS is useful to grade the arteriopathy severity and progression in TBM.

Burden of intracranial artery calcification in white patients with ischemic stroke.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnostic workup of stroke doesn't identify an underlying cause in two-fifths of ischemic strokes. Intracranial arteriosclerosis is acknowledged as a cause of stroke in Asian and Black populations, but is underappreciated as such in whites. We explored the burden of Intracranial Artery Calcification (IAC), a marker of intracranial arteriosclerosis, as a potential cause of stroke among white patients with recent ischemic stroke or TIA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2005 and October 2010, 943 patients (mean age 63.8 (SD ± 14.0) years, 47.9% female) were recruited, of whom 561 had ischemic stroke and 382 a TIA. CT-angiography was conducted according to stroke analysis protocols. The burden of IAC was quantified on these images, whereafter we assessed the presence of IAC per TOAST etiology underlying the stroke and assessed associations between IAC burden, symptom severity, and short-term functional outcome. RESULTS: IAC was present in 62.4% of patients. Furthermore, IAC was seen in 84.8% of atherosclerotic strokes, and also in the majority of strokes with an undetermined etiology (58.5%). Additionally, patients with larger IAC burden presented with heavier symptoms (adjusted OR 1.56 (95% CI [1.06-2.29]), but there was no difference in short-term functional outcome (1.14 [0.80-1.61]). CONCLUSION: IAC is seen in the majority of white ischemic stroke patients, aligning with findings from patient studies in other ethnicities. Furthermore, over half of patients with a stroke of undetermined etiology presented with IAC. Assessing IAC burden may help identify the cause in ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology, and could offer important prognostic information.

Clinical relevance and practical implications of trials of perfusion and angiographic imaging in patients with acute ischaemic stroke: a multicentre cohort imaging study.

BACKGROUND: In randomised trials testing treatments for acute ischaemic stroke, imaging markers of tissue reperfusion and arterial recanalisation may provide early response indicators. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of structural, perfusion and angiographic imaging for early and late clinical outcomes and assess practicalities in three comprehensive stroke centres. METHODS: We recruited patients with potentially disabling stroke in three stroke centres, performed magnetic resonance (MR) or CT, including perfusion and angiography imaging, within 6 h, at 72 h and 1 month after stroke. We assessed the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score serially and functional outcome at 3 months, tested associations between clinical variables and structural imaging, several perfusion parameters and angiography. RESULTS: Among 83 patients, median age 71 (maximum 89), median NIHSS 7 (range 1-30), 38 (46%) received alteplase, 41 (49%) had died or were dependent at 3 months. Most baseline imaging was CT (76%); follow-up was MR (79%) despite both being available acutely. At presentation, perfusion lesion size varied considerably between parameters (p<0.0001); 40 (48%) had arterial occlusion. Arterial occlusion and baseline perfusion lesion extent were both associated with baseline NIHSS (p<0.0001). Recanalisation by 72 h was associated with 1 month NIHSS (p=0.0007) and 3 month functional outcome (p=0.048), whereas tissue reperfusion, using even the best perfusion parameter, was not (p=0.11, p=0.08, respectively). CONCLUSION: Early recanalisation on angiography appeared to predict clinical outcome more directly than did tissue reperfusion. Acute assessment with CT and follow-up with MR was practical and feasible, did not preclude image analysis, and would enhance trial recruitment and generalisability of results.