Shorter Reperfusion Time in Stroke is Associated with Better Cognition.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive changes that result from cerebrovascular disease contribute to a poor functional outcome with reduced quality of life. Among patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT), we aim to assess cognitive function and evaluate the impact of reperfusion time in cognitive performance. METHODS: Patients with acute right anterior circulation strokes that underwent EVT between January 2018 and August 2020 at Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, participated in the study. Modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) assessed the level of recanalization. Cognitive evaluation was assessed with Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination revised (ACE-R). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between time for recanalization and ACE-R. The level of significance adopted was 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 71.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 62.0-78.2) years, and 50% (22) were women. The median time after stroke was 28.6 months (IQR 18.94-31.55). All patients in our sample had a successful level of recanalization with EVT (mTICI ≥ 2b). Time for recanalization showed an inverse association with the ACE-R (b = -0.0207, P = 0.0203). Also the mRS at 3 months had an inverse association with cognition (b = -5.2803, p = 0.0095). Level of education had a strong and direct relationship with ACE-R results (b = 3.0869, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Longer time between stroke symptoms and recanalization with EVT in patients with right hemisphere ischemic stroke lead to lower ACE-R scores. Measures to improve door-to-recanalization time are also important for cognitive performance after ischemic stroke.

Meniscus Sign in Patients with Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke does not Predict Outcome.

PURPOSE: The angiographic appearance of the occlusion site was suggested to influence outcomes of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who undergo endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to study the impact of the meniscus sign (MS) on outcomes of stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO. METHODS: Based on two prospective registries of acute ischemic stroke, we selected patients with carotid­T, M1 or M2 occlusion who underwent EVT. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were collected from the registries or from individual records. Two independent observers blinded to outcomes assessed the presence of MS in digital subtraction angiography before thrombectomy. Angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with and without MS were compared. RESULTS: We included 903 patients, with median age of 78 years, 59.8% were male, median baseline NIHSS was 14 and 39.5% received intravenous thrombolysis. Patients with MS (n = 170, 18.8%) were more frequently female, presented with higher NIHSS scores and more frequently underwent intravenous thrombolysis. Presence of MS was significantly associated with cardioembolic etiology. Successful reperfusion, number of passes, first pass effect, procedural time, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, in-hospital mortality and favorable 3­month functional outcome were similar in the groups of patients with and without MS. In the multivariable analyses, MS was not associated with successful reperfusion (odds ratio, OR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.76-1.55), first pass effect (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.48-1.92) or favorable 3­month outcome (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 0.88-2.24). CONCLUSION: The presence of MS in acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who undergo EVT does not appear to influence angiographic or clinical outcomes.

Transcranial Doppler could help to differentiate the types of dementia? A pilot study when CSF biomarkers are not available.

Our objective was to find a mean flow velocity (MFV) cut-off point to differentiate between normal and cognitive impaired patients using Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) as a comparison method. To evaluate MFV (in cm/s) and pulsatility index (PI) from the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery using transcranial Doppler in a pilot study from an outpatient cognition unit and compare with cognitively normal older adults (at the age of sixty or older) from the Geriatric Ambulatory of Fluminense Federal University. We hypothesized that there is a MFV and PI cut-off point to potentially distinguish between normal and impaired cognition. Sixty-one patients with cognitive decline, including 18 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), 31 with probable Alzheimer disease (AD), 12 with vascular dementia (VD), and 10 cognitively normal older adults were included in the study. Patients with dementia (both AD and VD, p < 0.01) and aMCI (p < 0.05) had lower MFV than the control group in the MCA (32.2 cm/s, 31.9 cm/s, and 36.6 cm/s, respectively) and dementia patients had higher PI compared to control (AD and VD, both p < 0.05). Basilar MFV showed to be no difference between the patients and the control group. A cut off value of 39.1 cm/s was found in a ROC curve (area under de curve value 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.95) for mean MCA MFV to be predictive of cognitive impairment (CDR ≥ 0.5). In this study, the values of MCA MFV below 39.1 cm/s were predictive of cognitive impairment according to CDR. TCD is an inexpensive method that could be used in a clinical scenario to help differentiate normal cognition from cognitive decline. Multicentric and longitudinal studies should be done to validate that.

Race and Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Incidence in the Northern Manhattan Study.

Background and Purpose- An excess incidence of strokes among blacks versus whites has been shown, but data on disparities related to Hispanic ethnicity remain limited. This study examines race/ethnic differences in stroke incidence in the multiethnic, largely Caribbean Hispanic, NOMAS (Northern Manhattan Study), and whether disparities vary by age. Methods- The study population included participants in the prospective population-based NOMAS, followed for a mean of 14±7 years. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to estimate the association between race/ethnicity and incident stroke of any subtype and ischemic stroke, stratified by age. Results- Among 3298 participants (mean baseline age 69±10 years, 37% men, 24% black, 21% white, 52% Hispanic), 460 incident strokes accrued (400 ischemic, 43 intracerebral hemorrhage, 9 subarachnoid hemorrhage). The most common ischemic subtype was cardioembolic, followed by lacunar infarcts, then cryptogenic. The greatest incidence rate was observed in blacks (13/1000 person-years), followed by Hispanics (10/1000 person-years), and lowest in whites (9/1000 person-years), and this order was observed for crude incidence rates until age 75. By age 85, the greatest incidence rate was in Hispanics. Blacks had an increased risk of stroke versus whites overall in multivariable models that included sociodemographics (hazard ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.13-2.02]), and stratified analyses showed that this disparity was driven by women of age ≥70. The increased rate of stroke among Hispanics (age/sex-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.13-1.93]) was largely explained by education and insurance status (a proxy for socieoeconomic status; hazard ratio after further adjusting for these variables, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.85-1.62]) but remained significant for women age ≥70. Conclusions- This study provides novel data regarding the increased stroke risk among Caribbean Hispanics in this elderly population. Results highlight the need to create culturally tailored campaigns to reach black and Hispanic populations to reduce race/ethnic stroke disparities and support the important role of low socioeconomic status in driving an elevated risk among Caribbean Hispanics.

Experiencia en la atención nutricional en los primeros 100 pacientes con trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas / Experience in nutritional care in the first 100 patients with hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation

OBJETIVO: Conocer el estado nutricional y la terapia nutricional recibida durante la internación de los pacientes sometidos a TCPH. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, de corte transversal, comprendido en el período de enero de 2012 a octubre de 2017. Se incluyeron 100 pacientes mayores de 15 años internados en la unidad de trasplante de médula ósea, que se encontraban realizando tratamiento acondicionante y posterior TCPH, que respondieron voluntariamente al interrogatorio realizado por el Servicio de Nutrición. En una base de datos se registró el estado nutricional y el tipo de terapia nutricional, con los motivos de indicación, la duración y las causas de finalización de la misma. RESULTADOS: De la totalidad de los pacientes, el 84% se mantuvo con alimentación oral exclusiva, adecuándose la dieta a la sintomatología referida por el paciente; y de éstos, el 62% (52 pacientes) tuvieron indicación de suplementos orales como complemento. Sólo 16 pacientes tuvieron indicación de NP. La mediana de duración de NP fue de 9 días (IIC 6-24,5) CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes no presentó desnutrición a su ingreso, pero a pesar de ello, hubo un gran número de pacientes que requirió el uso de alguna terapia nutricional, lo que denota la importancia del monitoreo diario de estos pacientes a pesar de no presentar riesgo nutricional al ingreso.

OBJECTIVE: To know the nutritional status and nutritional therapy received during hospitalization of patients undergoing TCPH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, included in the period from January 2012 to October 2017. We included 100 patients older than 15 years admitted to the bone marrow transplant unit, who were undergoing conditioning treatment and subsequent TCPH, who voluntarily responded to the interrogation conducted by the Nutrition Service. In a database, the nutritional status and type of nutritional therapy were recorded, with the reasons for indication, the duration and the causes of the end of it. RESULTS: Of the totality of the patients, 84% remained with exclusive oral feeding, adapting the diet to the symptomatology referred by the patient; and of these, 62% (52 patients) had an indication for oral supplements as a complement. Only 16 patients had an NP indication. The median duration of NP was 9 days (IIC 6-24.5) CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients did not present malnutrition at admission, but despite this, there was a large number of patients that required the use of some nutritional therapy, which indicates the importance of daily monitoring of these patients despite not present nutritional risk to income.

Días con aportes calóricos suficientes en una Unidad de Terapia Intensiva: Nueva herramienta de medición / Days with sufficient caloric intake in intensive care unit: New measurement tool

Introducción: Conocer la eficacia nutricional es fundamental en la tarea diaria porque permite saber en qué medida se cumple con el objetivo deseado que es que el paciente crítico reciba las Kcal que necesita. Objetivo: Desarrollar una herramienta que permita conocer si los aportes calóricos diarios que recibe el paciente crítico son suficientes durante su internación. Métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, unicéntrico. Se registraron en forma consecutiva a todos los ingresos a Unidad de Terapia Intensiva de adultos mayores a 18 años con inicio de nutrición enteral en un hospital en el período de Agosto de 2012 a Junio de 2015. Se midió la eficacia nutricional a través de la fórmula tradicional: Kilocalorías recibidas/Kilocalorías prescriptas x 100 y con la herramienta nueva: (Días de seguimiento nutricional - días de aporte insuficiente) / Días de seguimiento x 100 Resultados: Ingresaron 425 pacientes y se excluyeron del análisis 82. Los días de seguimiento promedio durante la internación fueron 17,6 ± 9,5. Resultados de la eficacia nutricional La mediana de la eficacia nutricional medida con la herramienta tradicional fue del 83% (IIC 74-89). Resultados de la nueva herramienta La mediana de días en que los pacientes presentaron aporte calórico suficiente fue del 42,1% (IIC 16,6-63,3) Discusión: Los pacientes críticos presentan un importante déficit calórico diario, que puede estar subvalorado según la herramienta que se utilice para su medición. Hemos demostrado que la eficacia nutricional de los días totales de internación puede ser alta aun cuando en el día no se cubren con los requerimientos calóricos necesarios para el paciente Conclusiones: La nueva herramienta brinda una información más detallada para detectar déficit calórico diario, por lo que podría ayudar a identificar el uso oportuno de nutrición parenteral complementaria

Introduction: Knowing the nutritional efficacy is fundamental in the daily task because it allows to know to what extent the desired objective is achieved, which that the critical patient receives the Kcal that he needs. Objective: Develop a tool that allows to know if the daily caloric contributions received by the critical patient are sufficient during their hospitalization. Methods: Observational, prospective, unicentric study. All admissions to the Intensive Care Unit of adults over 18 years of age were recorded consecutively with the start of enteral nutrition in a hospital in the period from August 2012 to June 2015. The nutritional efficacy was measured through the traditional formula: Kilocalories received / Kilocalories prescribed x 100 and with the new tool: (Days of nutritional follow-up - days of insufficient intake) / Days of follow-up x 100 Results: 425 patients were admitted and 82 were excluded from the analysis. The days of average follow-up during hospitalization were 17.6 ± 9.5. Results of nutritional efficacy The median of the nutritional efficacy measured with the traditional tool was 83% (IIC 74-89). Results of the new tool The median number of days in which patients had sufficient caloric intake was 42.1% (IIC 16.6-63.3) Discussion: Critical patients present a significant daily caloric deficit, which may be undervalued according to the tool used for its measurement. We have shown that the nutritional efficacy of the total days of hospitalization can be high even when they are not covered with the necessary caloric requirements for the patient during the day. Conclusions: The new tool provides more detailed information to detect daily caloric deficit, so it could help identify the timely use of complementary parenteral nutrition

Biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells after intra-arterial or intravenous transplantation in subacute stroke patients.

AIMS: To assess the biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) delivered by different routes in patients with subacute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke. PATIENTS & METHODS: This was a nonrandomized, open-label Phase I clinical trial. After bone marrow harvesting, BMMNCs were labeled with technetium-99m and intra-arterially or intravenously delivered together with the unlabeled cells. Scintigraphies were carried out at 2 and 24 h after cell transplantation. Clinical follow-up was continued for 6 months. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included, between 19 and 89 days after stroke, and received 1-5 × 10(8) BMMNCs. The intra-arterial group had greater radioactive counts in the liver and spleen and lower counts in the lungs at 2 and 24 h, while in the brain they were low and similar for both routes. CONCLUSION: BMMNC labeling with technetium-99m allowed imaging for up to 24 h after intra-arterial or intravenous injection in stroke patients.

Safety of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in patients with nonacute ischemic stroke.

AIMS: To assess the safety and feasibility of intra-arterial transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients with middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke within 90 days of symptom onset. PATIENTS & METHODS: Six patients were included in the study, and they received 1-5 × 10(8) bone marrow mononuclear cell and were evaluated using blood tests, neurological and imaging examination before treatment, and 1, 3, 7, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 days after transplantation. Scintigraphies were carried out 2 and 24 h after the procedure to analyze the biodistribution of labeled cells. Electroencephalogram was conducted within 7 days after transplantation. RESULTS: No patients exhibited any complication or adverse events during the procedure. There was no worsening in the neurological scales until the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation is feasible and safe in patients with nonacute ischemic strokes of the middle cerebral artery. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy.

Migration and homing of bone-marrow mononuclear cells in chronic ischemic stroke after intra-arterial injection.

Cell-based treatments have been considered a promising therapy for neurological diseases. However, currently there are no clinically available methods to monitor whether the transplanted cells reach and remain in the brain. In this study we investigated the feasibility of detecting the distribution and homing of autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) labeled with Technetium-99 m ((99m)Tc) in a cell-based therapy clinical study for chronic ischemic stroke. Six male patients (ages 24-65 years) with ischemic cerebral infarcts within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) between 59 and 82 days were included. Cell dose ranged from 1.25x10(8) to 5x10(8). Approximately 2x10(7) cells were labeled with (99m)Tc and intra-arterially delivered together with the unlabeled cells via a catheter navigated to the MCA. None of the patients showed any complications on the 120-day follow-up. Whole body scintigraphies indicated cell homing in the brain of all patients at 2 h, while the remaining uptake was mainly distributed to liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys and bladder. Moreover, quantification of uptake in Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) at 2 h showed preferential accumulation of radioactivity in the hemisphere affected by the ischemic infarct in all patients. However, at 24 h homing could only distinguished in the brains of 2 patients, while in all patients uptake was still seen in the other organs. Taken together, these results indicate that labeling of BMMCs with (99m)Tc is a safe and feasible technique that allows monitoring the migration and engraftment of intra-arterially transplanted cells for at least 24 h.