Angioedema associated with thrombolysis for ischemic stroke: analysis of a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Bradykinin-mediated angioedema (AE) is a complication associated with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Risk factors are unknown and management is discussed. OBJECTIVES: To clarify risk factors associated with bradykinin-mediated AE after thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In a case-control study conducted at a French reference centre for bradykinin angiœdema, patients with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke and a diagnosis of bradykinin-mediated angiœdema, were compared to controls treated with thrombolysis treatment without angiœdema. RESULTS: Fifty-three thrombolysis-related AE were matched to 106 control subjects. The sites of attacks following thrombolysis for ischemic stroke mainly included tongue (34/53, 64%) and lips (26/53, 49%). The upper airways were involved in 37 (70%) cases. Three patients required mechanical ventilation. Patients with bradykinin-mediated angiœdema were more frequently women [33 (62%) vs. 44 (42%); P = 0.01], had higher frequency of prior ischemic stroke [12 (23%) vs. 9 (8%); P = 0.01], hypertension [46 (87%) vs. 70 (66%); P = 0.005], were more frequently treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [37 (70%) vs. 28 (26%); P < 0.001] and were more frequently hospitalized in intensive care medicine [ICU; 11 (21%) vs. 5 (5%); P = 0.004]. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with thrombolysis-related AE were female sex [odds ratio (OR), 3.04; 95% confident interval (CI), 1.32-7.01; P = 0.009] and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [(OR), 6.08; 95% (CI), 2.17-17.07; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: This case-control study points out angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and female sex as risk factors of bradykinin AE associated with thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.

[Ischemic stroke related to pauci-symptomatic acute aortic dissection. Risks of intravenous thrombolysis]. / Infarctus cérébral par dissection aortique pauci-symptomatique. Les risques de la thrombolyse, à propos de deux observations.

INTRODUCTION: Acute aortic dissection involving the cervical arteries often induces cerebral infarction. In this context, there is a high risk of hemorrhage and thrombolytics are contra-indicated. OBSERVATION: We report two patients with a cerebral infarction which occurred after a pauci-symptomatic and undiagnosed aortic dissection treated with thrombolysis. The outcome was poor for both patients. DISCUSSION: Ischemic strokes related to acute aortic dissection often involve the right carotid artery territory and may manifest without pain. A systematic assessment of supra-aortic arteries might help to identify the underlying diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Acute aortic dissection should be systematically mentioned in the management of the acute ischemic stroke.

Penetrance of marked cognitive impairment in older male carriers of the FMR1 gene premutation.

BACKGROUND: Male carriers of the FMR1 premutation are at risk of developing the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a newly recognised and largely under-diagnosed late onset neurodegenerative disorder. Patients affected with FXTAS primarily present with cerebellar ataxia and intention tremor. Cognitive decline has also been associated with the premutation, but the lack of data on its penetrance is a growing concern for clinicians who provide genetic counselling. METHODS: The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) was administered in a double blind fashion to 74 men aged 50 years or more recruited from fragile X families (35 premutation carriers and 39 intrafamilial controls) regardless of their clinical manifestation. Based on previous publications, marked cognitive impairment was defined by a score

Comparisons of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels in off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

INTRODUCTION: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel indicator of myocardial damage. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of H-FABP in off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty non-randomised 30 patients who underwent CABG between January 2009 and January 2010 were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two equal size (n = 15) groups as group A (off-pump CABG group) and group B (on-pump CABG group). Three arterial blood samples were obtained for H-FABP after sternotomy (H-FABP 1), after the last distal anastomosis in group A and immediately after the cross clamp was removed from the aorta in group B (H-FABP 2) and 24 h after the operation (H-FABP 3). Renal and liver functions and circulating fatty acid binding protein (FABP) levels were also assessed in blood samples obtained 24 h before and 1 h after the operation. RESULTS: At all three assessment points patients in group B had significantly higher H-FABP values when compared with group A. Preoperative renal and liver functions were similar in both groups and they did not differ significantly in group A and group B when preoperative and postoperative values were compared. In both groups circulating FABP levels increased in the postoperative period, and the increase was more pronounced in the on-pump CABG group. CONCLUSIONS: On-pump surgery resulted in higher levels of H-FABP as an ischaemic marker in patients receiving coronary artery bypass surgery.

Management of ischemic stroke in the hyperacute phase.

Over the last 15 years, advances in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management have led to a significant reduction in the morbidity and mortality related to this serious disease. This has resulted from progress in imaging technology, increased access to imaging procedures, enhanced coordination in stroke care from emergency departments to rehabilitation centers, development of organized inpatient stroke units, and to the widespread use of acute thrombolysis. Once the diagnosis of AIS is confirmed by neuroimaging, the etiological work up is conducted in parallel with therapeutic measures by stroke units. The intravenous administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) remains the most beneficial intervention in emergency stroke management, but it must be administered within 4.5 hours following the onset of symptoms and only in eligible patients. Recently, several procedures for increasing the efficacy of arterial recanalization have emerged, including intra-arterial administration of thrombolytic agents, mechanical reopening techniques, development of new thrombolytic agents, protocol modifications that allow treatment beyond 4.5 hours or in individuals >80 years old, and remote patient evaluation via telemedicine. So far, no potentially neuroprotective drug has shown to improve outcome following stroke. In addition, pulmonary status, blood pressure, glucose, temperature, and cardiac function must be closely monitored in patients undergoing treatment for AIS. Complications such as cerebral edema, hemorrhagic transformation, seizure, infection, and venous thromboembolic disease worsen the prognosis, and must be prevented or treated. Like myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke should be considered as a treatable emergency. Widespread public education regarding stroke symptoms, novel treatments, and time constraints for effective therapy should increase the number of patients that present within the first hours after stroke. Since "time is brain," early presentation is key to transforming trial results into effective stroke therapies.

Cerebral ischemia complicating intracranial aneurysm: a warning sign of imminent rupture?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients harboring nongiant cerebral aneurysms may rarely present with an ischemic infarct distal to the aneurysm. The aim of this case series was to report clinical and radiologic characteristics of these patients, their management, and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted during an 8-year period with an acute ischemic stroke revealing an unruptured nongiant (<25 mm) sacciform intracranial aneurysm. Clinical, radiologic, therapeutic, and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients were included. The mean size of aneurysms was 9.6 ± 6 mm, and 5 were partially or totally thrombosed. Two patients had a fatal SAH within 3 days after stroke-symptom onset, whereas asymptomatic meningeal bleeding was diagnosed or suspected in 2 others. Most of the patients with unthrombosed aneurysms were successfully treated by endovascular coiling in the acute phase. Thrombosed aneurysms were usually treated with antithrombotics, and most recanalized secondarily, requiring endovascular treatment or surgical obliteration. No recurrence of an ischemic event or SAH was observed during the 31 ± 12 months of follow-up (from 4 to 53 months). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center series, the frequency of early SAH in patients with ischemic stroke distal to an unruptured intracranial aneurysm was high. Acute management should be undertaken with care regarding antithrombotic use, and early endovascular coiling should be considered.

Tamoxifen plus bromocriptine versus tamoxifen plus placebo in advanced breast cancer: results of a double blind multicentre clinical trial.

We carried out a double blind multicentre clinical trial in which 171 patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive tamoxifen (30 mg/day) + bromocriptine (5 mg/day) or tamoxifen + placebo. No difference was found in the overall response rates in the two groups (37.5% for placebo; 38% for bromocriptine) or in subgroups (breast tumours, lymph nodes, lung, bone, skin metastases). Tolerability was good in both groups. Within the limits of the statistical power of the test (80%), our results do not show any benefit when bromocriptine was added to tamoxifen.