Anticoagulation Versus Antiplatelets in Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain whether antiplatelets or anticoagulants are more effective in preventing early recurrent stroke in patients with cervical artery dissection. Following the publication of the observational Antithrombotic for STOP-CAD (Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection) study, which has more than doubled available data, we performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis comparing antiplatelets versus anticoagulation in cervical artery dissection. METHODS: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023468063). We searched 5 databases using a combination of keywords that encompass different antiplatelets and anticoagulants, as well as cervical artery dissection. We included relevant randomized trials and included observational studies of dissection unrelated to major trauma. Where studies were sufficiently similar, we performed meta-analyses for efficacy (ischemic stroke) and safety (major hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death) outcomes using relative risks. RESULTS: We identified 11 studies (2 randomized trials and 9 observational studies) that met the inclusion criteria. These included 5039 patients (30% [1512] treated with anticoagulation and 70% [3527]) treated with antiplatelets]. In meta-analysis, anticoagulation was associated with a lower ischemic stroke risk (relative risk, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.94]; P=0.02; I2=0%) but higher major bleeding risk (relative risk, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.07 to 4.72]; P=0.03, I2=0%). The risks of death and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were similar between the 2 treatments. Effect sizes were larger in randomized trials. There are insufficient data on the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy or direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of patients with cervical artery dissection, anticoagulation was superior to antiplatelet therapy in reducing ischemic stroke but carried a higher major bleeding risk. This argues for an individualized therapeutic approach incorporating the net clinical benefit of ischemic stroke reduction and bleeding risks. Large randomized clinical trials are required to clarify optimal antithrombotic strategies for management of cervical artery dissection.

Antithrombotic Treatment for Cervical Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Cervical artery dissection is the most common cause of stroke in younger adults. To date, there is no conclusive evidence on which antithrombotic therapy should be used to treat patients. Objective: To perform an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing anticoagulants and antiplatelets in prevention of stroke after cervical artery dissection. Data Sources: PubMed.gov, Cochrane database, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to August 1, 2023. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials that investigated the effectiveness and safety of antithrombotic treatment (antiplatelets vs anticoagulation) in patients with cervical artery dissection were included in the meta-analysis. The primary end point was required to include a composite of (1) any stroke, (2) death, or (3) major bleeding (extracranial or intracranial) at 90 days of follow-up. Data Extraction/Synthesis: Two independent investigators performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and inconsistencies were resolved by a principal investigator. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of (1) ischemic stroke, (2) death, or (3) major bleeding (extracranial or intracranial) at 90 days of follow-up. The components of the composite outcome were also secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses based on baseline characteristics with a putative association with the outcome were performed. Logistic regression was performed using the maximum penalized likelihood method including interaction in the subgroup analyses. Results: Two randomized clinical trials, Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study and Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study and the Biomarkers and Antithrombotic Treatment in Cervical Artery Dissection, were identified, of which all participants were eligible. A total of 444 patients were included in the intention-to-treat population and 370 patients were included in the per-protocol population. Baseline characteristics were balanced. There were fewer primary end points in those randomized to anticoagulation vs antiplatelet therapy (3 of 218 [1.4%] vs 10 of 226 [4.4%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.33 [95% CI, 0.08-1.05]; P = .06), but the finding was not statistically significant. In comparison with aspirin, anticoagulation was associated with fewer strokes (1 of 218 [0.5%] vs 10 of 226 [4.0%]; OR, 0.14 [95% CI, 0.02-0.61]; P = .01) and more bleeding events (2 vs 0). Conclusions and Relevance: This individual patient data meta-analysis of 2 currently available randomized clinical trial data found no significant difference between anticoagulants and antiplatelets in preventing early recurrent events.

Antithrombotic Treatment for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection: The STOP-CAD Study.

BACKGROUND: Small, randomized trials of patients with cervical artery dissection showed conflicting results regarding optimal stroke prevention strategies. We aimed to compare outcomes in patients with cervical artery dissection treated with antiplatelets versus anticoagulation. METHODS: This is a multicenter observational retrospective international study (16 countries, 63 sites) that included patients with cervical artery dissection without major trauma. The exposure was antithrombotic treatment type (anticoagulation versus antiplatelets), and outcomes were subsequent ischemic stroke and major hemorrhage (intracranial or extracranial hemorrhage). We used adjusted Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting to determine associations between anticoagulation and study outcomes within 30 and 180 days. The main analysis used an as-treated crossover approach and only included outcomes occurring with the above treatments. RESULTS: The study included 3636 patients (402 [11.1%] received exclusively anticoagulation and 2453 [67.5%] received exclusively antiplatelets). By day 180, there were 162 new ischemic strokes (4.4%) and 28 major hemorrhages (0.8%); 87.0% of ischemic strokes occurred by day 30. In adjusted Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting, compared with antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation was associated with a nonsignificantly lower risk of subsequent ischemic stroke by day 30 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.45-1.12]; P=0.145) and by day 180 (adjusted HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.28-2.24]; P=0.670). Anticoagulation therapy was not associated with a higher risk of major hemorrhage by day 30 (adjusted HR, 1.39 [95% CI, 0.35-5.45]; P=0.637) but was by day 180 (adjusted HR, 5.56 [95% CI, 1.53-20.13]; P=0.009). In interaction analyses, patients with occlusive dissection had significantly lower ischemic stroke risk with anticoagulation (adjusted HR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.18-0.88]; Pinteraction=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our study does not rule out the benefit of anticoagulation in reducing ischemic stroke risk, particularly in patients with occlusive dissection. If anticoagulation is chosen, it seems reasonable to switch to antiplatelet therapy before 180 days to lower the risk of major bleeding. Large prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Ultrasound Criteria for Diagnosing Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissections. / Ultraschallkriterien zur Diagnose spontaner Halsarterien-Dissektionen.

Spontaneous dissection of brain-supplying cervical arteries, which also includes findings after minor injuries, is one of the main causes of ischaemic strokes in young adults. Strokes due to dissection are usually due to arterio-arterial embolism. They are rarely the first symptom of dissection because an intraluminal thrombus must first develop. Therefore, early diagnosis of dissection can contribute to stroke prevention - through immediate therapy with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. This article describes the diagnostic criteria and typical findings of spontaneous dissection, in which no dissecting membrane is to be expected as in aortic dissection. Traumatic dissections following blunt or penetrating injuries also present with different findings. Examiners should be aware of possible differential diagnoses whose ultrasound image may mimic a dissection. A frequently occurring but avoidable cause of misdiagnosis is idiopathic carotidynia. Ultrasound also enables differentiation between dissection and vasculitis or carotid web and detection of normal variants such as fenestration of the vertebral artery. Further possibilities for misdiagnosis may arise in the presence of a variant of the ascending pharyngeal artery or in extracranial vasospasm. The different imaging techniques for the detection of a dissection are complementary, as false-negative findings occur with all techniques; no method serves as the gold standard. In any case, ultrasound can make an important contribution to the detection of a dissection, and it is worth knowing the diagnostic criteria.

An Unusual Cause of Internal Carotid Artery Dissection: Mobile Phone Misuse.

The use of mobile phones has become an indispensable part of our lives, especially due to widespread use of the internet. We report the case of a 38-year-old male patient who developed internal carotid artery dissection after talking on the phone between her left shoulder and ear by laterally flexing the neck for 20 minutes. In addition to many positive effects of technology that facilitate the daily life, the development of neurological deficits may be observed with widespread use of mobile phones. Misuse of mobile phone should be considered in patients with carotid artery dissection.

Postpartum cerebral arterial dissections: Clinical features and treatment.

ABSTRACT: Postpartum cerebral arterial dissections are rare, and the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment approaches are not clear to many physicians. This study was to investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum cerebral arterial dissections.One patient with postpartum cerebral arterial dissections enrolled in our hospital was analyzed. All patients with postpartum cerebral arterial dissections retrieved from the PubMed were also included in this study and analyzed.A total of 45 patients with postpartum cerebral arterial dissections were retrieved including our case, with an age range of 24 to 44 years (mean 34). Thirty-six (80%) patients were older than 30 years of age (mean 35). There were 17 cases of cesarean section, 14 cases of natural labor, and 14 cases whose delivery modes were not reported. The clinical symptoms included headache in 35 cases (78%) and neck pain in 14 (31%). The symptoms occurred at a mean time of 11 days (range 0-53 days) following delivery. Among 45 patients, arterial dissections involved unilateral carotid or vertebral artery in 29 cases (64%), bilateral carotid or vertebral arteries in 8 (18%), 3 arteries in 3 (7%), and all bilateral carotid and vertebral arteries in 5 (11%). Fourteen (31%) patients were treated with antiplatelet agents, 27 (60%) with anticoagulation, 7 (16%) with both antiplatelet and anticoagulation medications, and only 2 (4%) with stent angioplasty. The prognosis was complete recovery in 30 (86%) patients and mild focal neurological symptoms in 5 (14%).Postpartum cerebral arterial dissections are rare, and correct diagnosis relies on imaging examination. Prognosis is usually favorable in patients with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Aspirin versus anticoagulation in cervical artery dissection (TREAT-CAD): an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Cervical artery dissection is a major cause of stroke in young people (aged <50 years). Historically, clinicians have preferred using oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists for patients with cervical artery dissection, although some current guidelines-based on available evidence from mostly observational studies-suggest using aspirin. If proven to be non-inferior to vitamin K antagonists, aspirin might be preferable, due to its ease of use and lower cost. We aimed to test the non-inferiority of aspirin to vitamin K antagonists in patients with cervical artery dissection. METHODS: We did a multicentre, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial in ten stroke centres across Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark. We randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged older than 18 years who had symptomatic, MRI-verified, cervical artery dissection within 2 weeks before enrolment, to receive either aspirin 300 mg once daily or a vitamin K antagonist (phenprocoumon, acenocoumarol, or warfarin; target international normalised ratio [INR] 2·0-3·0) for 90 days. Randomisation was computer-generated using an interactive web response system, with stratification according to participating site. Independent imaging core laboratory adjudicators were masked to treatment allocation, but investigators, patients, and clinical event adjudicators were aware of treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was a composite of clinical outcomes (stroke, major haemorrhage, or death) and MRI outcomes (new ischaemic or haemorrhagic brain lesions) in the per-protocol population, assessed at 14 days (clinical and MRI outcomes) and 90 days (clinical outcomes only) after commencing treatment. Non-inferiority of aspirin would be shown if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% CI of the absolute risk difference between groups was less than 12% (non-inferiority margin). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02046460. FINDINGS: Between Sept 11, 2013, and Dec 21, 2018, we enrolled 194 patients; 100 (52%) were assigned to the aspirin group and 94 (48%) were assigned to the vitamin K antagonist group. The per-protocol population included 173 patients; 91 (53%) in the aspirin group and 82 (47%) in the vitamin K antagonist group. The primary endpoint occurred in 21 (23%) of 91 patients in the aspirin group and in 12 (15%) of 82 patients in the vitamin K antagonist group (absolute difference 8% [95% CI -4 to 21], non-inferiority p=0·55). Thus, non-inferiority of aspirin was not shown. Seven patients (8%) in the aspirin group and none in the vitamin K antagonist group had ischaemic strokes. One patient (1%) in the vitamin K antagonist group and none in the aspirin group had major extracranial haemorrhage. There were no deaths. Subclinical MRI outcomes were recorded in 14 patients (15%) in the aspirin group and in 11 patients (13%) in the vitamin K antagonist group. There were 19 adverse events in the aspirin group, and 26 in the vitamin K antagonist group. INTERPRETATION: Our findings did not show that aspirin was non-inferior to vitamin K antagonists in the treatment of cervical artery dissection. FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Heart Foundation, Stroke Funds Basel, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Academic Society Basel.

Unusual Presentation of Bilateral Carotid Artery Dissection: The Importance of Reasoning Outside the Box.

A bilateral internal carotid artery dissection presenting with atypical symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion has been rarely reported, especially in the absence of obvious precipitating factors. A middle-aged woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-day-history of progressive left arm numbness and weakness, confusion, disorientation and clumsiness worsened by upright position. A cerebral hypoperfusion condition was hypothesized and confirmed by a CT angiography, which showed bilateral internal carotid dissection with uncertain etiology. Screening for predisposing conditions to spontaneous carotid arteries dissection was basically negative. Regarding potential precipitating factors, the patient had used an electric olive harvester days before symptoms onset, without any painful sensation or sudden sequelae. Portable harvesters in olive growing transmit vibrations to the hand-arm system but it remains to be elucidated if hand-arm vibrations can be implicated in vessels wall injury and dissection. Bilateral carotid artery dissection is an infrequent and life-threatening condition which can rarely present with non-specific symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion. The absence of typical symptoms and known precipitating factors can made the diagnosis quite hard to achieve.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries: early recognition and stroke prevention in the emergency department.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries include cervical carotid dissections and vertebral artery dissections that are due to blunt trauma. Although the overall incidence is low, dissections remain a common cause of stroke in children, young adults, and trauma patients. Symptoms of dissection, such as headache, neck pain, and dizziness, are commonly seen in the emergency department, but may not be apparent in the obtunded trauma patient or may not be recognized as being due to a dissection. A missed diagnosis of cervical artery dissection can result in devastating neurologic sequelae, and emergency clinicians must act quickly to recognize this diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. This supplement reviews the application of advanced screening criteria, imaging options, and antithrombotic treatment for patients with blunt cerebrovascular injuries, with a focus on reducing the occurrence of ischemic stroke.

Cervical Artery Dissection Caused by Electrical Cupping Therapy with High-Negative Pressure - Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke in the young. The etiology is still discussed controversial. The most obvious reason for a dissection of extracranial arteries is due to a trauma, eg. after car accidents or other high speed traumas such as high-velocity road traffic accidents. Besides these clear cases, chiropractic neck maneuvers represent potential reasons for vessel injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: We here report a rare case of secondary cervical artery dissection after so-called cupping therapy and a preventive treatment with a direct oral anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists using this technique should be aware of the potentially devastating side effects. The diagnosis of ICA dissection should be considered with any new onset of unknown neck pain or headache, specifically in combination with neurological deficits.

Early Anticoagulation or Antiplatelet Therapy Is Critical in Craniocervical Artery Dissection: Results from the COMPASS Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Craniocervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a leading cause of stroke in the young patient population. Recent studies reported a low rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with CeAD, with no significant difference between patients randomized to anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in patients with CeAD. METHODS: All CeAD patients from 2015 to 2017 were consecutively identified by an electronic medical record-based application and enrolled in this prospective longitudinal registry. CeAD was confirmed by imaging and graded using the Denver scale for blunt cerebrovascular injury. Patients were followed for 12 months for MACE defined as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or death. RESULTS: The cohort included 111 CeAD patients (age 53 ± 15.9 years, 56% Caucasian, 50% female). CeAD was detected by magnetic resonance (5%), computed tomography (88%), or catheter angiography (7%). CeAD was noted in the carotid (59%), vertebral (39%), and basilar (2%) arteries, 82% of which were extracranial dissections. CeAD was classified as grade I, II, III, and IV in 16, 33, 19, and 32%, respectively. A total of 40% of dissections were due to known trauma. A predisposing factor was noted in the majority (78%) of patients, including violent sneezing (21%), carrying a heavy load (19%), sports/recreational activity (11%), chiropractic manipulation (9%), abrupt/prolonged rotation of head (9%), and prolonged phone use (9%). At presentation, 41% had a stroke, 5% had TIA, 39% had headache, and 36% were asymptomatic. Favorable outcome defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 was noted in 68% at 3 months and 71% at 12 months. The rate of MACEs at 3 and 12 months was 11 and 14%, respectively, with more events observed in patients who were not receiving anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy due to contraindications (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We report diagnostic characteristics, as well as short- and long-term outcomes of CeAD. A high MACE rate was observed within the first 2 weeks of CeAD diagnosis, notably in patients not initiated on anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy.

Facial twitching: calcium or concussion conundrum? Hypocalcaemia in a young American football player masking an internal carotid artery dissection.

A 30-year-old male American football player presented to the acute medical unit with left-hand and hemifacial spasms. History and examination revealed hemifacial spasms in keeping with seizure-like activity possibly due to symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Subsequent investigations revealed an adjusted calcium of 1.87 mmol/L and, hence, he was managed with intravenous calcium replacement. He presented two further times in a 1-month period, with subjective limb weakness, despite normal adjusted calcium. During his third admission, he developed slurred speech and a marked facial droop, with absence of power in the right upper limb. Imaging revealed acute and old infarctions in the left middle cerebral artery territory and appearances consistent with left internal carotid artery dissection. This presentation of arterial stroke is atypical but with potentially grave consequences if missed. There is limited literature on the presentation of hemifacial spasm, and its association with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke represents a key learning point.

Bilateral Traumatic Internal Carotid Artery Dissection after CrossFit Training.

Bilateral traumatic internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection after CrossFit training is an extremely rare and life-threatening condition associated with high risk of cerebral ischemia. Several imaging modalities are involved in its clinical evaluation and clinical decision-making. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet management, endovascular therapy, and open surgical intervention are the available options for ICA dissection treatment. This report details a bilateral traumatic ICA dissection after CrossFit training treated with antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy.

Rivaroxaban in cervical and "cervico-cerebral" artery dissections: a new therapeutic option?

Antiplatelet agents and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are usually used in the treatment of cervical (carotid or vertebral) artery dissections (CADs); however, data about the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in these conditions are very limited. DOACs have proven to be effective in stroke reduction in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and, when possible, they are preferred to warfarin because of their better safety profile. We describe four cases of CADs and, firstly in literature, cervico-cerebral (CCADs) in young patients (average age of 42 years) treated with rivaroxaban 20 mg daily. Three of these four dissections had affected the vertebral artery (condition with an unfavorable prognosis and more often complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhages), and the other one was a carotid dissection at the extra-intracranial passage. All patients were followed clinically and with serial neurosonological examinations at 1, 3, and 6 months and with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 6 months. All patients presented a good outcome with vascular recanalization without stroke recurrence or bleedings, even in patients with intracranial vertebral artery involvement. DOACs could be an alternative in young patients with CADs and their use could be considered in intracranial artery dissections too.

Extracranial-Intracranial High-Flow Bypass for Giant Ruptured Paraclinoid Aneurysm with Concomitant Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Stenotic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Giant ruptured paraclinoid aneurysm with concomitant bilateral internal carotid artery dissection (CAD) can be a difficult condition to treat with current surgical and endovascular techniques. Paraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms remain a major challenge for vascular neurosurgeons. There are still controversies in the management of carotid artery (CA) dissections. Surgical and endovascular treatment is recommended in cases with multivessel dissections or those complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 35-year-old woman presenting clinical manifestations and tomographic findings compatible with SAH caused by rupture of a paraclinoid aneurysm in the left ICA. We had to treat the ruptured aneurysm and the concurrent dissection of both ICAs. The patient underwent high-flow extracranial-intracranial arterial graft bypass and subsequent trapping of the left ICA. Complete aneurysm exclusion from the cerebral circulation was achieved, and the possible embolic events from the left side were prevented. The concomitant right internal CAD was treated conservatively with anticoagulants and antiplatelets. CONCLUSIONS: Dealing only with the ruptured paraclinoid aneurysm, without taking care of the underlying cerebral ischemia owing to concomitant extracranial ICA dissection, could be an insufficient approach for treatment. In the presented case of a giant ruptured paraclinoid aneurysm and coexistence of severe bilateral ICA dissecting stenosis, trapping with matching the bypass flow was the proper solution for managing simultaneously with the aneurysm and the cerebral ischemia from the left side. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets were applied safely to treat the right internal CAD.

[A case of bilateral cervical internal carotid artery dissection following herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve].

A 62 year-old man, who was taking prednisolone for nephrotic syndrome, was diagnosed with herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve and treated with oral valacyclovir. One month later, he reported pain from the right side of the head and vomiting. MRI revealed an acute infarction in the right frontal lobe and dissection of the internal carotid artery of the right cervix. Trauma or other potential triggers were not observed. In consideration of the preceding condition of varicella zoster virus infection, acyclovir was administered in addition to unfractionated heparin, but an intramural hematoma emerged in the left internal carotid artery. Furthermore, evidence showing progression of these lesions was found. On the fifth day, prednisolone was increased to 1 mg/kg/day, and progression of vascular lesions was not observed. This case may prove valuable because it suggests a relationship between cervical artery dissection and herpes zoster.

Pulsatile tinnitus and carotid artery dissection.

Carotid artery dissection is an uncommon entity associated with head and neck pain, partial Horner's syndrome, amaurosis fugax, and brain ischemia, which may all occur in isolation or in combination. Herein, we report a rare case of cervical artery dissection in which pulsatile tinnitus was the only reported symptom. A 38-years-old man attended our hospital with a 4-days history of left side pulsatile tinnitus which began after stumbling. He had no other symptom. MRA showed luminal stenosis with pseudo lumen of the internal carotid artery. The patient was diagnosed with left internal carotid artery dissection and treated with antihypertensive therapy accordingly. After 2 months, the stenosis and tinnitus spontaneously resolved.