Clinical Risk Score for Predicting Vascular Dementia after Ischemic Stroke in Thailand.

Background: Poststroke dementia is an important consequence of stroke and warrants early prevention, detection, and management. The objective of the study was to develop a simple clinical risk score for predicting risk of vascular dementia in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: The design was a prospective cohort study with 177 ischemic stroke survivors. A standard stroke evaluation was performed at admission, and dementia evaluation was conducted at six months after stroke. The significant predictors were used to develop a risk score using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Six months after stroke, 27.1% of the patients were diagnosed with vascular dementia. Five predictors were used in the risk score: age, education, history of stroke, white matter hyperintensities, and stroke subtype. The risk score had an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC) of 0.76, 72.9% sensitivity, and 79.1% specificity in predicting risk of vascular dementia. The predicted probability of vascular dementia for each risk score point was also reported. Conclusion: The clinical risk score had an acceptable accuracy in predicting vascular dementia in ischemic stroke survivors. It can be used for identifying those who are at a high risk of developing vascular dementia.

Outcomes of Mild Stroke and High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack in Current Clinical Practice.

INTRODUCTION: Early assessment and management of patients with mild stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) by specialists were recommended. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of these patients and identify the predictive factors of clinical progression, unfavorable outcomes, and recurrent stroke. METHODS: Patients with mild ischemic stroke (NIHSS ≤5) and high-risk TIA were studied. All patients were managed by stroke specialists within 24 h of stroke onset. The outcomes of the patients at 3 months and final follow-up were studied. Predictive factors of clinical progression, unfavorable outcomes, and recurrent stroke were analyzed. RESULTS: 254 patients were studied. Thirty-eight patients (15%) had clinical progression during admission. Large artery atherosclerosis (OR 2.49, 95% CI: 1.06-5.81), cardioembolism (OR 3.34, 95% CI: 1.26-8.87), and brainstem stroke (OR 2.78, 95% CI: 1.28-6.01) were associated with clinical progression. At the final follow-up, median 22 months, 81 patients (32%) had unfavorable outcomes. Previous disability (OR 1.81, 95% CI: 3.31-100), moderate to severe white matter lesions (OR 2.90, 95% CI: 1.44-5.84), clinical progression (OR 12.5, 95% CI: 5.08-31.25), and recurrent stroke (OR 8.47, 95% CI: 3.21-22.72) were related to unfavorable outcomes. Eleven patients (4%) had recurrent stroke within 3 months and 31 patients (12%) at the final follow-up. Older age (OR 6.68, 95% CI: 2.35-19.02), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.07-6.27), and smoking (OR 4.26, 95% CI: 1.52-11.95) were related to recurrent stroke. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the up-to-date standard care in clinical practice would bring good clinical outcomes to the patients with mild stroke and high-risk TIA.

Temporal Changes in Cognitive Function in Early Recovery Phase of the Stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Only a few studies longitudinally evaluated all cognitive domains after acute stroke. The purpose was to study the changes in cognitive function after acute stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cognitive assessment, using Thai mental state examination (TMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), was performed at the acute stroke, and at 3 and 6 months after stroke. Cognitive domains were evaluated by MOCA subcategory score. TMSE and MOCA were compared at different stages of stroke and in among those with normal cognition (NC), vascular mild cognitive impairment (VMCI) and vascular dementia (VAD). RESULTS: 138 patients were included. At 6 months, 32 patients (23%) had NC. VMCI and VAD were diagnosed in 76 patients (55%), and 30 patients (22%), respectively. Total scores of TMSE and MOCA were higher at 3 months as compared to at the acute stroke (TMSE; 24.85 vs 23.01, p-value <0.001, MOCA; 19.30 vs 16.49, p-value <0.001), and higher TMSE, but not MOCA, at 6 months as compared to at 3 months (TMSE; 25.35 vs 24.85, p-value= 0.021, MOCA; 19.04 vs 19.30, p-value= 0.058). Changes in total scores at early stroke were highest in NC. VMCI and VAD patients had cognitive impairment in all cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment was highest at the acute stroke and improved during early recovery. The greatest rate of improvement occurred within 3 months. Improvement was found in all cognitive domains.

Etiology of Dementia in Thai Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular imaging has been developed and validated in Thai patients, comprising a portion of patients in the dementia registry. This should provide a more accurate diagnosis of the etiology of dementia, which was the focus of this study. METHODS: This was a multicenter dementia study. The baseline characteristics, main presenting symptoms, and results of investigations and cognitive tests of the patients were electronically collected in the registry. Functional imaging and/or molecular imaging were performed in patients with an equivocal diagnosis of the causes of dementia, especially in atypical dementia or young onset dementia (YOD). RESULTS: There were 454 patients in the study. The mean age of the patients was 78 years, with 60% female. Functional imaging and/or molecular imaging were performed in 57 patients (57/454 patients, 13%). The most common cause of dementia was Alzheimer's disease (AD; 50%), followed by vascular dementia (VAD; 24%), dementia with Lewy bodies (6%), Parkinson's disease dementia (6%), frontotemporal dementia (FTD; 2.6%), progressive supranuclear palsy (2%), multiple system atrophy (0.8%), and corticobasal syndrome (0.4%). YOD accounted for 17% (77/454 patients), with a mean age of 58 years. The causes of YOD were early onset amnestic AD (44%), VAD (16%), behavioral variant FTD (8%), posterior cortical atrophy (6.5%), and logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (5.2%). CONCLUSION: AD was the most common cause of dementia in Thai patients and the distribution of other types of dementia and main presenting symptoms were similar to previous reports in Western patients; however, the proportion of YOD was higher.

Incidence and risk factors of vascular dementia in Thai stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Besides disability in stroke survivors, vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) can prevent these patients from living independently. The purpose of this study is to look for the incidence and risk factors of vascular dementia in Thai patients with stroke. METHODS: Adults patients with ischemic stroke were prospectively included. Cognitive assessment was performed at 3-6 months after stroke onset. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)- Thai version was used to evaluate cognitive function, with the cutoff point of 24/25 of MOCA to define cognitive impairment/normal cognition. Vascular mild cognitive impairment (VMCI) and vascular dementia (VAD) were diagnosed in those with cognitive impairment. Epidemiologic data, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) status, and stroke characteristics were compared between patients with and without VAD. RESULTS: There were 180 patients with the mean age of 65 years. Median time after stroke onset to have cognitive assessment was 6 months. Ninety patients (50%) had VMCI. VAD was diagnosed in 49 patients (27%). Mean Thai version of mental state examination (TMSE) and MOCA scores in patients with VAD were 20 and 12, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (OR 4.994, 95%CI 1.602-15.565, p-value = 0.006), lower education (OR 10.306, 95%CI 3.162-33.586, p-value < 0.001), history of stroke (OR 4.959, 95%CI 1.036-23.741, p-value = 0.045) and moderate to severe cerebral white matter lesions (OR 5.555, 95%CI 1.710-18.041, p-value = 0.004) were associated with VAD. ApoE 4 allele was found in 25% of the patients, but the presence did not show any association with the increased risk of VAD. CONCLUSIONS: VAD occurred in 27% of the stroke patients. Older age, low education level, history of stroke, and the presence of moderate to severe white matter lesions were associated with the increased risk of VAD.

Fetal origin of posterior cerebral artery related to poor collaterals in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

The anatomic variation of Circle of Willis (CW) has been shown to have a great impact on its compensatory capacity during acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of variations in CW on collateral circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke who had major artery occlusion. Patients with acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 h of stroke onset who had at least moderate severity of stroke (NIHSS ≥ 6), caused by major artery occlusion were included. Multiphase computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed. Variations in CW on each patient were recorded and compared between those with poor collateral and intermediate-good collateral circulation. There were 66 patients. Mean NIHSS was 15. Forty patients had poor collateral circulation and 26 patients had intermediate-good collateral circulation. There were variations in CW: no visualized posterior communicating artery (PCOM) (31/66, 47%), fetal origin of posterior cerebral artery (25/66, 38%), one anterior cerebral artery, segment A1 (A1) hypoplasia or atresia (16/66, 24%), one PCOM (8/66, 12%), and complete CW (3/66, 5%). Fetal origin of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was associated with poor collateral circulation (48% vs 23%, p-value = 0.046). This pilot study showed that the presence of fetal origin of PCA was associated with poor collateral circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by major artery occlusion.

Alterations in the Expression of Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzymes mRNA in Alzheimer Peripheral Blood.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in elderly populations. Changes in the expression of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)-cleaving enzymes directly affect the formation of Amyloid Beta (Aß) plaques, a neuropathological hallmark of AD. OBJECTIVE: We used peripheral blood from AD patients to investigate the expression of genes related to APP-processing [(ß-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), presenilin1 (PSEN1), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase family 10 (ADAM10) and 17 (ADAM17)] and the epigenetic genes sirtuin (SIRT)1-3, which regulate Aß production. METHOD: Real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed to determine the specific mRNA levels in plasma. The mRNA levels in AD patients were compared to those in healthy persons and assessed in relation to the subjects' cognitive performance. RESULTS: BACE1 mRNA level in AD subjects was significantly higher than those of healthy controls, whereas ADAM10 level was significantly lower in the AD subjects. The SIRT1 level was significantly decreased, while that of SIRT2 was increased in AD subjects and elderly controls compared to levels in healthy young control. In addition, correlations were found between the expression levels of BACE1, ADAM10 and SIRT1 and cognitive performance scores. Total Aß (Aß40+Aß42) levels and the Aß40/Aß42 ratio were significantly increased in the AD subjects, whereas decrease in plasma Aß42 was found in AD subjects. There was a negative correlation between Aß40 or total Aß and Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE) while there was no correlation between Aß40/Aß42 ratio or Aß42 and TMSE. CONCLUSION: The present findings provide evidence and support for the potential roles of these enzymes that drive Aß synthesis and for epigenetic regulation in AD progression and development, which can possibly be considered peripheral markers of AD.

Implementation of multiphase computed tomography angiography in management of patients with acute ischemic stroke in clinical practice.

Multiphase computed tomography angiography (CTA) provides information on the status of major cranial arteries and extent of brain collateralization. The purpose of the study was to determine whether implementation of multiphase CTA in routine clinical practice was feasible, safe and useful. Patients with acute ischemic stroke (NIHSS ≥ 6) were included. Multiphase CTA was performed. Duration of performing multiphase CTA, inter-rater correlation and incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) were studied. Infarct volume, incidence of hemorrhagic transformation, the rates of favorable outcome and death were compared between those with poor and intermediate-good collateralization. Multiphase CTA was performed in 108 patients. Mean duration on each multiphase CTA study was 4.8 min. Inter-rater reliability was intermediate-good (weighted kappa 0.7569, p < 0.001). CIN occurred in 3 patients (2.8%). There were no major intracranial/extracranial artery occlusion in 31 patients (29%) and there were severe stenosis or occlusions in 77 patients (71%). In the subgroup of patients with major artery severe stenosis or occlusion, 36 patients (36/77, 47%) had poor collateralization. Despite non-significant difference in acute treatment, the patients with poor collateralization had larger infarct (123 vs 35 cc, p < 0.001) and poorer outcomes (mean modified Rankin scale 3.86 vs 2.73, p = 0.011), while the differences in symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (2.6 vs 7%, p = 0.385) and death rate (14 vs 12%, p = 0.825) were non-significant, as compared to those with intermediate-good collateralization. Multiphase CTA was feasible and safe. Besides the status of major arteries, multiphase CTA provided information on collateralization, which was associated with the size of infarct and clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Computerized and Standard Cognitive Test in Thai Memory Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based Thai Cognitive Test or Computer-based Thai Mental State Examination (cTMSE) was developed aiming to help doctors to easily get the accurate results of TMSE in a routine, busy outpatient clinics. The purpose of this study was to compare the evaluation process in terms of feasibility, duration of the test, participants/administrator preference, and the results of cognitive test between cTMSE and the standard Thai Mental State Examination (sTMSE). METHODS: Twenty-two elderly participants (>60 years old) who were not demented and 22 patients with mild-to-moderate dementia were included in the study. All participants would be asked to have TMSE by standard method (sTMSE) and computer-based method (cTMSE), at least 2 weeks and up to 2 months apart. Scores and duration of the test were compared using dependent paired t-test. Agreement of the tests between two methods and Kappa statistics were analyzed. RESULTS: Paired t-test showed no significant difference in scores between the two methods (mean sTMSE vs. cTMSE: 22.84 vs. 22.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-0.465] to 0.987, P = 0.524). Percent of agreement between the two methods was 92.5%, with the Kappa of 0.85 (P < 0.001). Duration of the test by sTMSE was slightly shorter than the cTMSE (7.31 min vs. 7.97 min, 95% CI: [-1.159] to [-0.175], P = 0.09). Overall, participants liked being tested by cTMSE more than sTMSE. CONCLUSION: Computer-based TMSE was feasible to use and accurate for screening in aging adults and for cognitive evaluation in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia.

Accuracy of Carotid Duplex Criteria in Diagnosis of Significant Carotid Stenosis in Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial carotid stenosis can be diagnosed by velocity criteria of carotid duplex. Whether they are accurately applied to define severity of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis in Asian patients needs to be proved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 2 carotid duplex velocity criteria in defining significant carotid stenosis. METHODS: Carotid duplex studies and magnetic resonance angiography were reviewed. Criteria 1 was recommended by the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound; moderate stenosis (50%-69%): peak systolic velocity (PSV) 125-230 cm/s, diastolic velocity (DV) 40-100 cm/s; severe stenosis (>70%): PSV greater than 230 cm/s, DV greater than 100 cm/s. Criteria 2 used PSV greater than 140 cm/s, DV less than 110 cm/s to define moderate stenosis (50%-75%) and PSV greater than 140 cm/s, DV greater than 110 cm/s for severe stenosis (76%-95%). RESULTS: A total of 854 ICA segments were reviewed. There was moderate stenosis in 72 ICAs, severe stenosis in 50 ICAs, and occlusion in 78 ICAs. Criteria 2 had slightly lower sensitivity, whereas higher specificity and accuracy than criteria 1 were observed in detecting moderate stenosis (criteria 1: sensitivity 95%, specificity 83%, accuracy 84%; criteria 2: sensitivity 92%, specificity 92%, and accuracy 92%). However, in detection of severe ICA stenosis, no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was found (criteria 1: sensitivity 82%, specificity 99.57%, accuracy 98%; criteria 2: sensitivity 86%, specificity 99.68%, and accuracy 99%). CONCLUSIONS: In the subgroup of moderate stenosis, the criteria using ICA PSV greater than 140 cm/s had higher specificity and accuracy than the criteria using ICA PSV 125-230 cm/s. However, there was no significant difference in detection of severe stenosis or occlusion of ICA.

Natural course and predictors of severe disability and death in Thai patients with dementia.

More than half of patients with dementia lived in countries with low and middle incomes. However, there have been few studies on the natural course of disease in these countries. The purpose of this study was to study the natural course and the predictive factors of advanced stage and death in Thai patients with dementia. Patients with dementia who were treated in neurologic and psychiatric clinic from September 2004 to February 2016, were included. Data about natural course of diseases, behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) and complications were studied. 207 patients were included. Mean age was 77years old. Mean Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE) was 17.5. Alzheimer's disease was the most common cause of dementia (55%). With the mean follow-up of 39months (range from 2 to 126months), 64% of the patients had BPSD. Sixty-two patients (30%) had complications required admission. Seven patients died. Fifty-four patients (29%) ended in the advanced stage of dementia. Mean duration from diagnosis to the advanced stage was 49months. Complications that required admission usually occurred in moderate to severe dementia and were strongly associated with the advanced stage or death (OR 6.1, 95%CI 2.57-14.49, p-value<0.0001). Alzheimer's disease was the most common cause of dementia in the study. Most demented patients presented in moderate severity of dementia. Mean duration from diagnosis to the advanced stage of dementia was approximate 4-5years. Complications required admissions related to the progression to advanced stage or death.

Prevalence of Cerebral Microbleeds in Thai Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: With the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are commonly detected. Ethnicity seems to play a role in the prevalence of CMB, with higher prevalence in participants from Asian origin. The purpose of the study is to look for the prevalence of CMBs and associated factors in Thai patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke who had MRI and magnetic resonance angiography during January-August 2014 were included in the study. T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo was used to define CMBs. Baseline characteristics, stroke subtypes, and severity of white matter lesions were compared between patients with and without CMBs. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 61-year-old. Mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 8. The prevalence of CMBs was 20% (39/200 patients). Hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 3.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-8.68, P = 0.037), and moderate-to-severe white matter lesions (Fazekas 2-3, OR 7.61, 95% CI 3.06-18.95, P < 0.001) were related to the presence of CMBs. CONCLUSIONS: CMBs were found in 20% of patients with ischemic stroke, which was lower than those reported from Japanese studies but comparable to a Chinese study. CMBs were associated with hypertension and severity of the white matter lesions.

Clinical course, prognostic factors, and long-term outcomes of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction patients in the modern era.

BACKGROUND: Recanalization therapies have been increasingly applied in clinical practice, which might change the outcomes of patients with large middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. The purpose of this study was to study the clinical course, prognostic factors, and long-term outcomes of patients with an acute large MCA infarction. METHODS: Patients with an acute large MCA infarction who were treated between January, 2011 - March, 2014 were studied. The demographics and vascular risk factors were compared between patients with and without clinical outcomes of interest, favorable outcome and death. RESULTS: From a total of 1538 patients, 200 patients with large MCA infarction were included. The mean age was 67 years. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 20. The mean time from onset to the hospital was 289 min. Intravenous recombinant-tissue-plasminogen activator (rtPA) was given in 50 patients (25%). The mean follow-up time was 13 months. 51 patients (51/191, 27%) had a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at the final follow-up. 81 patients (81/191, 42%) died. A younger age, less severe stroke, rtPA treatment, and large-artery atherosclerosis stroke subtype were related to a favorable outcome. Older age and presence of coronary artery disease were associated with death and rtPA treatment was inversely related to death. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of patients with a large MCA infarction is still poor. Favorable outcomes were found in only a fourth of the total patients, and a high mortality rate was still present. Intravenous rtPA treatment seemed to be related to a favorable outcome.

Outcomes of patients with large middle cerebral artery infarct treated with and without intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Many thrombolytic studies showed that severe stroke was associated with death and having symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and inversely related to a favorable outcome. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of patients with acute large middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction with and without intravenous recombinant-tissue-plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment. METHODS: Patients with acute, large MCA infarction (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] >15) who were treated during 2011-2014 were studied. The demographic data and the outcomes were compared between patients with and without intravenous rtPA treatment. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty patients were included. Mean NIHSS score was 20. One hundred and twenty patients were treated with intravenous rtPA treatment. The patients with rtPA treatment had higher rates of favorable outcomes (39% vs. 17%, P < 0.001) and lower mortality rate (16% vs. 51%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (6% vs. 4%, P = 0.715). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the benefit and safety of intravenous rtPA treatment in patients with acute large MCA infarct.

Fluid Intake Related to Brain Edema in Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction.

Evidence of the appropriate amount of fluid intake during the first few days after acute stroke was scarce. Concerns were raised in patients with acute malignant middle cerebral infarction, who tended to have malignant brain edema later. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of fluid intake on the occurrence of malignant brain edema in patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction. Patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction who had National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of at least 15 were included. Baseline characteristics and amount of fluid intake during the first few days were compared in patients with and without malignant brain edema. One hundred ninety-three patients were studied. Mean NIHSS score was 20. Malignant brain edema occurred in 69 patients (36%). Higher amount of fluid intake (>1650 ml or >28 ml/kg/day or >93% of daily maintenance fluid) showed a significant association with malignant brain edema (OR = 13.86, 95% CI 5.11-37.60, p value <0.001). Decompressive surgery was performed in 35 patients (18%). With mean follow-up of 12 months, 49 patients (49/184, 27%) had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-2) at final follow-up. Seventy-nine patients (79/184, 43%) died. In the subgroup of patients with malignant brain edema, 39 patients (39/65, 60%) died and only 11% (7/65 patients) had favorable outcome. High amount of fluid intake in the first few days of acute middle cerebral infarction was related to the occurrence of malignant brain edema.

External validation of the SEDAN score: The real world practice of a single center.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) is the most serious adverse event in stroke patients who received i.v. rt-PA and is usually associated with poor outcomes. The SEDAN score is built up to predict sICH. We aim to externally validate the SEDAN score in Thai patients from single center in the real world practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SEDAN score of stroke patients treated with intravenous rt-PA at Thammasat University Hospital from January 2010 to June 2012 was calculated. Patients were divided into three groups including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (AsICH) and no intracerebral hemorrhage (NoICH). The primary outcome of analyses was sICH. Each parameter of the SEDAN score and correlation between score and sICH were analyzed with univariate and multivariate model. RESULTS: 295 patients (18.6% of stroke admission) were treated with i.v. rt-PA. 13 patients (4.4%) had sICH and 31 patients (10.4%) had AsICH. Baseline blood sugar >12 mmol/l, early infarction, hyperdense cerebral artery, age >75 years-old and NIHSS ≥10(SEDAN) were associated with sICH by univariate analysis (P value = 0.018, <0.001, <0.001, 0.002 and 0.027 respectively). The rate of sICH occurrence was increased in accordance with the increasing of the SEDAN score. By multivariate analysis, odds ratio of baseline blood sugar >12 mmol/l, early infarction, hyperdense cerebral artery, age >75 years-old and NIHSS ≥10 were 1.248, 2.503, 1.107, 1.532 and 1.263 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SEDAN score was practical to use and predictive in Thai population. Each parameter of the SEDAN score was an independent risk factor for sICH after treatment with i.v. rt-PA.

Pathophysiology of acute middle cerebral artery infarct by multimodal computed tomography: A pilot study in Thai patients.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to study pathophysiology of acute middle cerebral artery infarct using multimodal CT and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this method in our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had moderate to severe stroke (NIHSS score > 10), suspected of anterior circulation infarct and presented within 4 hours after stroke onset were prospectively included. Multimodal CTs, using low-osmolar contrast agents, were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included. Mean NIHSS was 16. All patients received intravenous thrombolysis. Favorable outcome was found in nine patients (41%). CTP was unable to identify ischemic lesions in three patients with small subcortical infarct. Most patients (82%) with large middle cerebral artery infarct still had some salvageable brain (penumbra) which partly recovered in a follow-up imaging. Eleven patients (50%) had major artery occlusion. Two patients had creatinine rising within 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal CT does provide information about status of major artery and the volume of salvageable/infarct brain tissue and is safely and easily applicable in our center.

Atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation detection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Studies about continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring in detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in Asian patients with acute ischemic stroke are very limited. We looked for the prevalence and associated factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) and PAF in Thai patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In all, 204 patients with acute ischemic stroke were prospectively included. Snapshot 12-lead ECG and continuous ECG monitoring for at least the first 24 hours were performed. Multivariate analyses were performed to find out the associated factors of AF and PAF. RESULTS: AF was diagnosed in 31 patients (15%) and PAF in 15 patients (7%). Twelve and 3 patients with PAF were diagnosed by continuous ECG monitoring and snapshot 12-lead ECG, respectively. Mean duration of continuous ECG monitoring and mean time to detect PAF were 55 and 23 hours, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age of 70 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 3.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-7.35, P = .001) and heart diseases (OR 4.26, 95% CI 1.14-15.95, P = .031) were associated with AF and PAF. CONCLUSIONS: AF/PAF was one of the common causes of ischemic stroke in Thai patients. Most PAF was detected by continuous ECG monitoring. Snapshot 12-lead ECG and continuous ECG monitoring should be recommended in all patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Comparison of aspirin response measured by urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 and VerifyNow aspirin assay in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: We looked for the prevalence of aspirin nonresponders, compared the results of 2 tests assessing aspirin responses-measurement of urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (dTXB2) and VerifyNow Aspirin assay-in patients with ischemic stroke, and examined the relationship of aspirin nonresponse and the outcomes of the patients. METHODS: One hundred one patients with ischemic stroke were prospectively included. Aspirin response was assessed by urinary dTXB2 measurement and VerifyNow Aspirin assay. The Spearman correlation coefficients and kappa statistics were calculated to assess correlation and agreement between the 2 tests. The measured outcome was the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death. RESULTS: Prevalence of aspirin nonresponders was 40% and 6%, if they were measured by urinary dTXB2 and VerifyNow Aspirin assay, respectively. Poor correlation in the results between the 2 tests was found (r = .135, P = .190). The degree of agreement between the 2 tests in relation to resistance status was weak (kappa = .032, P = .590). With a mean follow-up time of 17 months, the outcomes occurred significantly higher in aspirin nonresponders who were diagnosed by urinary dTXB2 measurement as compared with patients with aspirin response (18% versus 2%, odds ratio 8.8, 95% confidence interval 1.18-65.4, P = .037). CONCLUSIONS: Our research confirmed poor correlation and lack of agreement between the 2 tests. Only aspirin nonresponders who were diagnosed by dTXB2 measurement were related to having cardiovascular events and death. Further research is still needed to identify the best method of diagnosis of aspirin nonresponders.

Aspirin nonresponders in patients with ischaemic stroke.

From previous studies, the prevalence of aspirin nonresponders is 5.5-45% in patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Those who have aspirin nonresponders have a greater risk of clinically cardiovascular events. The purpose of the study was to look for the prevalence, associated factors and the outcomes of aspirin nonresponders among patients with ischaemic stroke. Patients with ischaemic stroke who were treated during January 2011-August 2011 were included. Urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (dTXB2) was measured to determine the response to aspirin in patients. The demographics and vascular risk factors were compared between patients who were classified as aspirin responders or aspirin nonresponders. The outcomes of the study were favourable outcome, cardiovascular events and mortality. There were 182 patients included during the study period: 128 patients with an acute ischaemic stroke and 54 patients with a stable ischaemic stroke. Ninety patients (49.5%) were found to be aspirin nonresponders. Multivariate analysis revealed that stroke presentation (acute stroke) was the only factor associated with aspirin nonresponders [odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.193-4.746, P = 0.014]. With a mean follow-up time of 16 months, aspirin nonresponders had a less favourable outcome (54 vs. 83%, OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.11-0.51, P < 0.001), marginally higher cardiovascular events (11 vs. 2%, OR 4.48; 95% CI 0.92-21.37, P = 0.045) and higher mortality (12 vs. 1%, OR 10.52; 95% CI 1.3-85.28, P = 0.007). The prevalence of aspirin nonresponders was rather high in Thai patients with ischaemic stroke. Aspirin nonresponders had a less favourable outcome, higher cardiovascular events and death rate.