How does the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulants affect the success of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke cases?

Background and purpose: In this study, we wanted to investigate the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulant use on the success of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke cases. Methods: 174 patients who were brought to the Stroke Center of Gaziantep University Sahinbey Research and Practice Hospital between January 2018 and February 2019 due to acute ischemic stroke and who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic characteristics, antiplatelet/anticoagulant use before the stroke and mTICI (modified-Throm-bolysis-In-Cerebral-Infarction) scores used for reperfusion in mechanical thrombectomy were evaluated. The findings were analyzed statistically (p<0.05). Results: The mean age was 63.3 ± 13.5 in 174 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. 23/174 (13.2%) patients were using anticoagulant therapy (warfarin-OAC or new generation oral anticoagulant-NOAC) and 28/174 (16.1%) were using antiplatelet therapy. A history of atrial fibrillation (AF) was significantly higher in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy before acute ischemic stroke (p=0.001). Patients with a history of hyper tension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) before acute ischemic stroke were receiving antiplatelet therapy in higher rates (respectively; p=0.003, p=0.037, p=0.005). Successful recanalization (mTICI ≥ 2b) was higher in patients with a history of anticoagulant use and who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (p=0.025). Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of anti-platelet or anticoagulants before mechanical thrombec-tomy may have an indirect positive effect on the success of the procedure.

The relationship between first pass recanalization of stent-retriever-based thrombectomy and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in middle cerebral artery occlusions.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory response plays an important role in the process of ischemic stroke. Rapid, sustained and complete reperfusion is the most important modifiable prognostic factor for a favorable clinical outcome in patients receiving endovascular treatment (EVT). The studies related to the clot contents regarding the high level of leukocyte clots that are difficult to recanalize are quite remarkable. We aimed to investigate the relationship between Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and recanalization at the first pass thrombectomy. METHODS: Study was conducted from February 2015 to December 2018. Patients with stroke were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The normality of distribution of continuous variables was tested by Shapiro-Wilk test. The Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test was used to assess relations between variables. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-off value for NLR. RESULTS: There were 84 patients included the study, the mean age 62.8 ± 12.9; 61.9% (52/84) that were female; median (IQR 25-75) NIHSS 16 (14-19) treated with stent-retriever-based thrombectomy. The distribution of NLR was skewed (p value for 1-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test: <0.001). In terms of recanalization outcomes, the patients with NLR < 3.51 showed a significantly higher rates of successful recanalization (AUC = 0.671 ± 0.06; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that higher admission NLR values are independent predictors of unsuccessful recanalization first pass in MCA M1 occlusion of stroke patients treated with mechanical stent-retriever-based thrombectomy. Future large cohort and structural analysis of thrombi studies are needed to further explore the role of NLR as a prognostic neuroinflammatory biomarker for successful recanalization in EVT of stroke.

Mean Platelet Volume, C-Reactive Protein, and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Following Intravenous Thrombolytic Treatment.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the association between mean platelet volume (MPV), C-reactive protein (CRP), and prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following intravenous (IV) thrombolytic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 129 patients within 4.5 hours from the onset of AIS, who received IV thrombolytic treatment. Clinical data were retrieved from electronic medical records. MPV, CRP, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale and the modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores for physical disability were recorded. RESULTS Of the 129 patients, 65.9% were men, and more than half received IV thrombolytic treatment within between 3-4.5 hours. The NIH Stroke Scale scores at 24 hours and at three months after hospital admission were compared with the NIH Stroke Scale scores on hospital admission. A significant correlation was found between the MPV values at 24 hours (r=0.221; p=0.012) and at three months after hospital admission (r=196; p=0.026). There was a significant correlation between CRP values at 24 hours (r=0.224; p=0.021), the difference in NIH Stroke Scale score between 24 hours and three months (r=0.249; p=0.005), and the MPV score at three months (r=0.186; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS MPV and CRP values were significantly associated with improvement in the NIH Stroke Scale and MRS scores in AIS when patients were treated with IV thrombolytic therapy within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Analyses of the Turkish National Intravenous Thrombolysis Registry.

BACKGROUND: The relatively late approval of use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke in Turkey has resulted in obvious underuse of this treatment. Here we present the analyses of the nationwide registry, which was created to prompt wider use of intravenous thrombolysis, as well as to monitor safe implementation of the treatment in our country. METHODS: Patients were registered prospectively in our database between 2006 and 2013. Admission and 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores were recorded. A "high-volume center" was defined as a center treating 10 or more patients with rt-PA per year. RESULTS: A total of 1133 patients were enrolled into the registry by 38 centers in 18 cities. A nearly 4-fold increase in the study population and in the number of participating centers was observed over the 6 years of the study. The mean baseline NIHSS score was 14.5 ± 5.7, and the prevalence of symptomatic hemorrhage was 4.9%. Mortality at 3 months decreased from 22% to 11% in the 6 years of enrollment, and 65% of cases were functionally independent. Age older than 70 years, an NIHSS score higher than 14 upon hospital admission, and intracranial hemorrhage were independently associated with mortality, and being treated in a high-volume center was related to good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a decreasing trend in mortality and an acceptable prevalence of symptomatic hemorrhage over 6 years with continuous addition of new centers to the registry. The first results of this prospective study are encouraging and will stimulate our efforts at increasing the use of intravenous thrombolysis in Turkey.

Hypertension alters phosphorylation of VASP in brain endothelial cells.

Hypertension impairs cerebral vascular function. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) mediates active reorganization of the cytoskeleton via membrane ruffling, aggregation and tethering of actin filaments. VASP regulation of endothelial barrier function has been demonstrated by studies using VASP(-/-) animals under conditions associated with tissue hypoxia. We hypothesize that hypertension regulates VASP expression and/or phosphorylation in endothelial cells, thereby contributing to dysfunction in the cerebral vasculature. Because exercise has direct and indirect salutary effects on vascular systems that have been damaged by hypertension, we also investigated the effect of exercise on maintenance of VASP expression and/or phosphorylation. We used immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry to examine the effect of hypertension on VASP expression and phosphorylation in brain endothelial cells in normotensive [Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)] and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats under normal and exercise conditions. In addition, we analyzed VASP regulation in normoxia- and hypoxia-induced endothelial cells. Brain endothelial cells exhibited significantly lower VASP immunoreactivity and phosphorylation at the Ser157 residue in SHR versus WKY rats. Exercise reversed hypertension-induced alterations in VASP phosphorylation. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry indicated reduction in VASP phosphorylation in hypoxic versus normoxic endothelial cells. These results suggest that diminished VASP expression and/or Ser157 phosphorylation mediates endothelial changes associated with hypertension and exercise may normalize these changes, at least in part, by restoring VASP phosphorylation.

Predictors of a Good Outcome after Endovascular Stroke Treatment with Stent Retrievers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Successful recanalization after endovascular stroke therapy (EVT) did not translate into a good clinical outcome in randomized trials. The goal of the study was to identify the predictors of a good outcome after mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database included consecutive patients treated with stent retrievers. We evaluated the influence of risk factors for stroke, baseline NIHSS score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT (ASPECT) score, recanalization rate, onset-to-recanalization and onset-to-groin puncture time, and glucose levels at admission on good outcomes. The number of stent passes during procedure and symptomatic hemorrhage rate were also recorded. A modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2 at 90 days was considered as a good outcome. RESULTS: From January 2011 to 2014, 70 consecutive patients with an acute ischemic stroke underwent EVT with stent retrievers. The absence of a medical history of diabetes was associated with good outcomes. Apart from diabetes, the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were similar between subjects with poor outcome versus those with good outcomes. Median time from onset to recanalization was significantly shorter in patients with good outcomes 245 (IQR: 216-313 min) compared with poor outcome patients (315 (IQR: 240-360 min); P = 0.023). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was observed in eight (21.6%) of 37 patients with poor outcomes and no symptomatic hemorrhage was seen in patients with good outcomes (P = 0.006). In multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, a favorable ASPECT score (ASPECT > 7) and successful recanalization after EVT were predictors of good outcomes. Every 10-year increase was associated with a 3.60-fold decrease in the probability of a good outcome at 3 months. The probability of a good outcome decreases by 1.43-fold for each 20 mg/dL increase in the blood glucose at admission. CONCLUSION: To achieve a good outcome after EVT with stent retrievers, quick and complete recanalization and better strategies for patient selection are warranted. We need randomized trials to identify the significance of tight blood glucose control in clinical outcome during or after EVT.

CKD is associated with recurrent ischemia but not with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the associations of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke (RIS) and Hemorrhagic Transformation (HT) with CKD in acute ischemic stroke patients. METHOD: The subjects were 160 patients, divided into two groups: with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD), with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (without CKD). RESULTS: Subjects having DM (p = 0.018), CKD (p = 0.025) and treated with ACEI/ARB (p = 0.039) revealed association with RIS. Regression analysis disclosed only CKD (p = 0.04). Carotid artery stenosis (p = 0.030) and serum calcium levels (p = 0.013) showed significant association with HT. CONCLUSION: Our results disclosed that CKD could be a risk factor for RIS. There is no relation between CKD and HT.

Impact of early versus late enteral nutrition on cell mediated immunity and its relationship with glucagon like peptide-1 in intensive care unit patients: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) originates from the gastrointestinal system in response to the presence of nutrition in the intestinal lumen and potentiates postprandial insulin secretion. Also, it acts as an immune-modulator which has influences on cell-mediated immunity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, single-blinded study and carried out in the neurology intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Twenty-four naive patients with acute thromboembolic cerebrovascular events, with National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scores between 12 and 16, were included. Any condition interfering with GLP-1 and immunity was regarded as exclusion criterion. Two patients died, and two dropped out of the study due to complicating conditions. RESULTS: Group 1 and Group 2 exhibited similar GLP-1 levels in the pre-feeding and post-feeding periods for both the first time and the third day of enteral feeding. Also, no significant change in pre-/post-feeding GLP-1 levels was observed within groups. T-helper and T-regulatory cells increased, T-cytotoxic cells decreased significantly in Group 1 (P=0.02; P=0.036; P=0.0019), but remained the same in Group 2 after enteral feeding. Positive but statistically insignificant clinical effects in terms of predisposition to infections (10% vs 40%) and median time of ICU stay (10 vs 15 days) were observed in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on our findings, we propose that early enteral feeding may cause amelioration in cell-mediated immunity via factors other than GLP-1 in ICU patients with acute thromboembolic stroke. However, the possible deleterious effects of parenteral nutrition cannot be ruled out.

Relation of serum cortisol to delirium occurring after acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Delirium can be associated with cardiac system disorders. Stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postoperative delirium. Cortisol is one of the most important stress hormones in humans. We aimed to investigate whether a relation exists between serum cortisol and the degree of delirium after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: We enrolled 52 consecutive patients who presented with ACS and were hospitalized in the coronary care unit. Patients were examined daily by a single psychiatrist, and delirium was diagnosed by using the Delirium Rating Scale (DSR). Blood samples were obtained at 6:00 am of the next morning after admission. RESULTS: The mean age was 66 years (SD, ±6 years), and 52% were men. Delirium occurred in 25 patients (48%). The median score on the DRS was 17 for the delirious patients and 5 for the nondelirious. Median cortisol levels were significantly different between the delirium and nondelirium groups (13.9 vs 6.2 µg/dL; P < .01). There were significant correlations between the cortisol levels and the severity of the delirium based on DRS scores as well as between the cortisol levels and the presence of delirium (r = 0.65 and 0.74, respectively; P = .01). In a linear logistic regression model, cortisol predicted the occurrence of delirium (ß = .81; P < .01). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, the optimal cutoff value of cortisol to predict delirium was 10.8 µg/dL, with 96% sensitivity and 89% specificity. CONCLUSION: Delirium was common after ACS, and serum cortisol levels correlated with the degree of delirium and the risk of delirium.

Pre- and perioperative risk factors predicting neurologic outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with pre-existing neurologic events.

BACKGROUND: A neurologic event (NE) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a principal complication affecting morbidity and mortality. We investigated the risk factors predicting postoperative NEs and survival in patients with pre-existing NE undergoing CABG. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2012, 3137 patients underwent isolated primary CABG. The data were stored in a computerized database and retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the existence of preoperative NE (study group; n=126) and without NE (n=3011). Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the possible predictors of postoperative NEs. Survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses of the study group and propensity score-matched control group. RESULTS: The mean age of the 3137 patients was 60±9 years, and 28% (n=885) were female. Postoperative NE was seen in 4 (3.2%) patients with pre-existing NE and in 16 (0.5%) without pre-existing NE. Preoperative NE (odds ratio 4.47; 95% confidence interval 1.32-15.18; P=.01) and age (≥70 years; odds ratio 2.98; 95% confidence interval 1.21-7.33; P=.01) showed strong multivariate associations with postoperative NE. Median CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 4.5 (interquartile range 3-5) and 3 (range 0-4) in patients in the pre-existing and without NE groups, respectively (P=.01). The overall mean follow-up was 4.6±3 years. Overall survival rates (88.1% and 94%, respectively) were different between the 2 groups (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative neurologic events and advanced age are significant risk factors predicting postoperative neurologic events. Meticulous management of the ascending aorta and carotid artery are important in diminishing postoperative neurologic events. A pre-existing neurologic event is also predictive for decreased overall survival.

Does the Stent Retriever Placement in the Division of Middle Cerebral Artery Affect the Recanalization Success in M1 Occlusions?

OBJECTIVE: The location of arterial occlusions can be predictive in the prognosis and endovascular treatment of acute stroke patients. We aimed to determine if the location of the stent retriever being on the superior or inferior division of the middle cerebral artery has an effect on the success and clinical outcomes of recanalization in middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were generated for the period from May 2015 to January 2019. Divisions of middle cerebral artery were assigned to the 2 groups as superior and inferior divisions according to the anatomical classification. The dominant trunk of the artery was assessed on the last angiogram image. RESULTS: We eventually included 81/90 patients (mean age: 62 ± 13.5; 63% [51/81] female; mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale rating: 16.3 ± 3.6) treated with thrombectomy. The branches of the middle cerebral artery were as follows: 40 (49.4%) co-dominant, 22 (27.2%) inferior, and 19 (23.5%) superior division dominant. The stent retriever was placed in the dominant trunk in 22/41(53.7%) cases at first pass. When stent retriever was placed in the dominant middle cerebral artery trunk, the rate of successful recanalization was very high with the first pass of thrombectomy (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Stent retriever placement within the superior or inferior middle cerebral artery trunk does not have an effect on the success rate of recanalization; however, its placement in the dominant trunk can increase the chance of complete recanalization to be early.

Predictors of Symptomatic Hemorrhage After Endovascular Treatment for Anterior Circulation Occlusions: Turkish Endovascular Stroke Registry.

We evaluated the predictive factors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) in endovascular treatment of stroke. We included 975 ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation occlusion. Patients that had hemorrhage and an increase of ≥4 points in their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after the treatment were considered as SICH. The mean age of patients was 65.2±13.1 years and 469 (48.1%) were women. The median NIHSS was 16 (13-18) and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT 9 (8-10). In 420 patients (43.1%), modified Rankin Scale was favorable (0-2) and mortality was observed in 234 (24%) patients at the end of the third month. Patients with high diastolic blood pressure (P<.05) had significantly higher SICH. SICH was significantly higher in those with high NIHSS scores (P<.001), high blood glucose (P<.001), and leukocyte count at admission (P<.05). Diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR 1.90; P<.001), NIHSS (OR 1.07; P<.05), adjuvant intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy (IA-rtPA) (OR, 1.60; P<.05), and puncture-recanalization time (OR 1.01; P<.05) were independent factors of SICH. Higher baseline NIHSS score, longer procedure time, multiple thrombectomy maneuvers, administration of IA-rtPA, and the history of DM are independent predictors of SICH in anterior circulation occlusion.

Stroke services in the Middle East and adjacent region: A survey of 34 hospital-based stroke services.

Background: Acute stroke care is complex and requires multidisciplinary networking. There are insufficient data on stroke care in the Middle East and adjacent regions in Asia and Africa. Objective: Evaluate the state of readiness of stroke programs in the Middle East North Africa and surrounding regions (MENA+) to treat acute stroke. Method: Online questionnaire survey on the evaluation of stroke care across hospitals of MENA+ region between April 2021 and January 2022. Results: The survey was completed by 34/50 (68%) hospitals. The median population serviced by participating hospitals was 2 million. The median admission of patients with stroke/year was 600 (250-1,100). The median length of stay at the stroke units was 5 days. 34/34 (100%) of these hospitals have 24/7 CT head available. 17/34 (50%) have emergency guidelines for prehospital acute stroke care. Mechanical thrombectomy with/without IVT was available in 24/34 (70.6%). 51% was the median (IQR; 15-75%) of patients treated with IVT within 60 min from arrival. Thirty-five minutes were the median time to reverse warfarin-associated ICH. Conclusion: This is the first large study on the availability of resources for the management of acute stroke in the MENA+ region. We noted the disparity in stroke care between high-income and low-income countries. Concerted efforts are required to improve stroke care in low-income countries. Accreditation of stroke programs in the region will be helpful.

Distance to Thrombus in Endovascular Treatment of Middle Cerebral Artery M1 Occlusion Predicts Recanalization Success and Clinical Outcome.

BACKGROUND: The occlusion site of the cerebral artery can help to determine recanalization success, treatment and prognosis in acute stroke patients. In current studies, different measurement techniques and different length values have been considered. We aimed to determine the relationship between the location of occlusion and recanalization success following endovascular therapy of acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 occlusion. METHODS: This study was conducted from January 2015 to March 2019. The "M1 distance-to-thrombus length" was determined on curve-linear reformat reconstruction of the MCA, and measured from the center of internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation to the beginning of the thrombus on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). A successful recanalization was defined as ≥ modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 2b and full recanalization as mTICI 3. Evaluation of patients at the end of the third month was carried out with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and mortality. RESULTS: We eventually included 95 patients treated with endovascular therapy. The patients with distance to thrombus (DT) ≤13.2 mm showed significantly higher rates of full recanalization (AUC = 0.639 ± 0.06; P=0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]). Additionally, DT could predict successful recanalization with an AUC of 0.639. The possibility to distinguish unsuccessful recanalization cases after the endovascular treatment by considering DT had 85.7% sensitivity (95% CI). Of the 82 (86.3%) patients who were treated with successful recanalization (≥mTICI 2b), 46 (48.4%) achieved mRS (0-3) and 38 (40%) expired at the end of the 3 months. CONCLUSION: Shorter DT was associated with higher rate of full recanalization (mTICI 3) after endovascular therapy. Having a longer DT reduces the chance of successful recanalization without distal embolism. However, there was no statistically significant effect for DT on a favorable outcome at third months or mortality with endovascular treatment of MCA M1 occlusions.

Favorable first-pass recanalization rates with NeVa™ thrombectomy device in acute stroke patients: Initial clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: The NeVa™ thrombectomy device (Vesalio LLC, Nashville, USA) has been reported to succeed in large vessel occlusion thrombectomy in animal, in-vitro, and clinical studies. Designed with Drop Zone technology, a closed distal tip, and strong expansive radial force, the device demonstrated particular efficiency in resistant "white" thrombi in preclinical research. Our goal is to determine the safety and performance of this novel stent retriever on first-pass rates and overall recanalization. METHODS: The Interventional Neurology Database is a prospectively maintained database of anterior and posterior circulation stroke thrombectomy cases. We retrospectively analyzed cases where the NeVa™ thrombectomy device was used as the first-line treatment strategy. Data collection occurred between January 2019 and January 2020. First-pass recanalization, final recanalization, 90-day functional outcome, complication, and bleeding rates are reported. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen patients were treated with the NeVa™ thrombectomy device. The mean patient age was 69 ± 14 years, the median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 14, and the median initial Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography score was 8. The median time from groin puncture to successful recanalization was 29 min (interquartile range (IQR): 20-40). First-pass recanalization rates were 56.8% (modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 2b/3) and 44.9% (mTICI 2c/3). Final successful recanalization rate was 95.8% (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b/3). Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was 53% in the "first-pass" subgroup and 42.4% in the total patient population. The median number of passes to achieve the final recanalization score was 1 (IQR 1-2). The rate of embolization into new territory was 1.7%. Four patients (3.3%) had symptomatic hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the NeVa™ device demonstrated high first-pass and overall recanalization rates along with a good safety profile.

A controlled study of psychiatric manifestations and electroencephalography findings in chronic kidney disease patients with Sagliker syndrome.

Sagliker syndrome (SS) is a novel syndrome that was described in 2004 in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to assess psychiatric evaluations and electroencephalography (EEG) findings of patients with CKD and SS to compare them with patients with CKD having characteristics similar to that of the study group, in terms of age and gender. The study group comprised 13 patients with CKD and SS. The control group included 13 patients with CKD. Psychiatric diseases were diagnosed using the Structure Clinical Interview. Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Social Comparison Scale, Hopelessness Scale, and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered to the groups. Moreover, EEG recording for all the patients was performed. According to the results obtained from the Structure Clinical Interview, 69.2% of patients with CKD and SS were diagnosed with a mental disease, as compared with only 3 (23.1%) patients with CKD. There was a significant difference between the study and the control group (P < .001). As compared with the control group, patients with CKD and SS had significantly higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Hopelessness Scale. However, patients with CKD and SS had significantly lower scores on the Social Comparison Scale. The MMSE scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups. When the 2 groups were evaluated separately, no significant differences were found between the EEG abnormalities and psychiatric diagnosis of both the groups. However, an evaluation of EEG abnormalities in all cases with CKD suggested a statistically significant difference between them. In the EEG recordings, electrical seizures activity was not enrolled in any of the cases. In the present study, psychiatric morbidity for patients with CKD and SS was worse than for patients with only CKD. These results indicate a need to develop an effective psychologic strategy for dealing with psychiatric disorders among patients with CKD and SS.

A very rare case of encephalopathy in a patient with end-stage renal disease: contrast agent, ioversol.

Contrast agents are associated with a number of adverse effects, including central nervous system effects. These agents are primarily filtered and excreted by the kidney. Contrast-associated encephalopathy is a rare complication. We report the case of a 55-year-old male on chronic hemodialysis who developed confusion and agitation after receiving ioversol during abdominal angiography. Although hemodialysis was performed his healing took 15 days. Patients with end-stage renal disease may be at an increased risk of adverse effects of contrast agents.

Direct Common Carotid Artery Puncture: Rescue Mechanical Thrombectomy Strategy in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

PURPOSE: In a minority of cases, the transfemoral approach cannot be performed due to unfavorable anatomical barriers. In such cases, direct common carotid artery puncture (DCCAP) is an important alternative for rescue mechanical thrombectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCCAP in patients with an unaccessible femoral route for mechanical thrombectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study using data in the Turkish Interventional Neurology Database recorded between January 2015 and April 2019. Twenty-five acute stroke patients treated with DCCAP were analyzed in this study. Among 25 cases with carotid puncture, 4 cases were excluded due to an aborted thrombectomy attempt resulting from unsuccessful sheath placement. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 69±12 years. The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16±4. Successful revascularization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction 2b-3) rate was 86% (18/21), and 90-day good functional outcome rate (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was 38% (8/21). CONCLUSION: DCCAP is a rescue alternative for patients with unfavorable access via the transfemoral route. Timely switching to DCCAP is crucial in these cases.

Hypertensive encephalopathy with atypical MRI leukoencephalopathy affecting brain stem and cerebellum.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated with hypertension rarely presents with predominant involvement of the brainstem and sparing of the supratentorial regions. In this study, the clinical and neuroimaging features of a 39-year-old woman with hypertensive encephalopathy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings localized to pons and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles were described. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated with hypertension rarely shows isolated brainstem and cerebellum involvement, and it is important to be familiar with the lack of correlation between the severity of the radiological abnormality and the clinical status.

Parkinsonian syndrome associated with subacute subdural haematoma and its effective surgical treatment: a case report.

There have been several reports of parkinsonian syndrome arising from a mass effect from subdural haematomas. In this study, we present a case of parkinsonian syndrome caused by a subacute subdural haematoma. Evacuation of the haematoma resulted in the disappearance of parkinsonian symptoms in this case. Parkinsonism is not common complication of subdural haematoma; surgical treatment of those cases is associated with favourable outcome, without the need for antiparkinsonian medication.