Exploring the optimal lower blood pressure boundary during endovascular thrombectomy in patients with large vessel occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines advocate for maintaining BP level below 180/105 mmHg during EVT, determining the safe lower boundary remains primarily consensus-driven by experts. This study aims to delve into the correlation between various targets of lower boundary for systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) during EVT and 3-month functional outcomes. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted across two EVT-capable centers, enrolling patients with large artery occlusion undergoing EVT within 8 h of stroke onset. Mean BP values during EVT were meticulously recorded, and logistic regression models were utilized to evaluate the correlation between outcomes and diverse lower boundary targets for SBP and DBP. Additionally, logistic regression models investigated the relationship between periprocedural BP variability and subsequent outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 201 patients included, having a SBP higher than 130 or 140 mmHg showed an independent association with increased good functional outcomes at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 2.80, 95% Cis, 1.26-6.39 for 140 mmHg; aOR 2.34, 95% Cis, 1.03-5.56 for 130 mmHg). Additionally, an SBP exceeding 130 mmHg was correlated with decreased 3-month mortality (aOR, 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.74). No significant relationship was observed between DBP and functional outcomes. Patients with higher periprocedural SBP coefficient variance exhibited a decreased rate of good functional outcomes at 3 months (aOR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.18-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: A SBP range above 130-140 mmHg could potentially serve as a safe lower boundary during EVT, while minimizing BP fluctuations may correlate with improved post-EVT functional outcomes.

Statin treatment in stroke patient with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effectiveness of hyperlipidemia treatment in strokes secondary prevention has been established. However, whether pretreatment with statins could confer protective effects when a patient's baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is <70 mg/dL remains uncertain. Additionally, the ability of statin treatment to reduce poststroke complications, mortality, and recurrence in this patient group is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this retrospective observational study, we enrolled patients who had experienced an ischemic stroke with LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL. We analyzed the association of statin use with baseline characteristics, stroke severity, in-hospital complications, mortality rates, stroke recurrence rate, and mortality rate. Patients who used and patients who did not use statins were similar in terms of age and sex. Patients using statins had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prior stroke, and coronary artery disease but a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation. Stroke severity was less pronounced in those using statins. We also evaluated the relationship between in-hospital statin use and complications. We noted that in-hospital statin use was associated with lower rates of infection, hemorrhagic transformation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and mortality, as well as higher rates of positive functional outcomes. The 1-year recurrence rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Statin use is associated with milder strokes and improved poststroke outcomes, even in patients with well-controlled LDL levels. Neurologists may consider prescribing statins for patients with ischemic stroke who do not overt hyperlipidemia. Further research into potential underlying mechanisms is warranted.

Effects of cancer on stroke recurrence and mortality: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: Whether patients with stroke and cancer have specific characteristics remains controversial. In addition, research regarding the effects of individual cancer types on stroke outcomes remains scarce. This study investigated the mortality and stroke recurrence rates in patients with stroke and concomitant cancer and evaluated outcome predictors. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 2610 patients in the Taipei Veterans General Hospital Stroke Registry registered from January 2019 to December 2020. A total of 1868 patients were included after excluding those without acute ischemic stroke or hospitalization. The patients were then categorized into the following diagnostic groups: cancer-associated stroke (CAS), stroke and inactive cancer, and stroke without cancer. The discharge mortality rate, 1-year mortality rate, and 1-year stroke recurrence rate were compared. Multiple clinical characteristics and comorbidities-age, sex, stroke severity, coagulopathy, common vascular risk factors, and acute stroke treatment-were also assessed. Results: A total of 302 (16.2%) patients had concomitant cancer; 39 (2.1%) patients were classified as having CAS and 263 (14.1%) as having stroke with inactive cancer. The baseline characteristics, stroke severity, and type of acute reperfusion therapy were similar among the three groups. However, the stroke recurrence and mortality rates were much higher in the patients with CAS in both short-term and long-term follow-up. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates for the CAS, inactive cancer, and no cancer groups were 17.9%, 12.5%, and 4.7%, (p < 0.001) and 51.3%, 33.8%, and 12.4%, (p < 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: Patients with stroke and active cancer had similar stroke severity. However, the 1-year mortality and stroke recurrence rates were higher in these patients than in patients with inactive cancer or the control group.

Association between diabetes mellitus and post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Stroke survivors suffer from various physical, emotional, and cognitive impairments. These changes are dynamic and depend on multiple factors, including underlying diseases, baseline brain function and pathology, the site of the stroke and the post-stroke inflammation, neurogenesis as well as the subsequent remodeling of the neuro-network. First we review the structural and pathological changes of the brain in stroke survivors with diabetes mellitus, which may lead to post-stroke cognitive dysfunction. Second, we provide evidence of hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, and their relationship with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and post-stroke dementia (PSD). In addition to conventional biomarkers, such as HbA1c, we also provide other novel tools to predict PSCI/PSD, such as glycemic variability, receptor for advanced glycation end products, and gut microbiota. Finally, we attempt to provide some modifying methods for glycemic control, focusing on the prevention of PSCI/PSD.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome as initial presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

PURPOSE: Case presentation of newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting initially as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical case. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A healthy young man developed acute binocular diplopia within 2 days without other neurological deficits. Bilateral 6th cranial nerve palsy was observed with general reduction in the visual field test. Emergent brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) was performed, which revealed severe inflammation in the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure, and apex of the orbit. No cavernous thrombosis or intracranial lesion was shown in the MRI. THS was diagnosed and the patient's CN 6 palsy recovered quickly after corticosteroid treatment. However, severe anaemia was discovered during admission (Hb=6.0), so the patient was evaluated by profound laboratory tests, which revealed SLE. CONCLUSION: With painful ophthalmoplegia, cavernous sinus syndrome is highly suspected. THS is one of the differential diagnoses for cavernous sinus syndrome. THS is a rare disease, recognized by the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and characterized by inflammatory changes in the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure and/or orbital apex under image study. The inflammatory changes are mostly idiopathic, but secondary causes such as sarcoidosis or other autoimmune diseases need to be ruled out. Physicians should be aware of possible underlying conditions, such as immunosuppressed status as in SLE, as the true cause of THS.

Association between Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure Variability, and Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment.

After stroke, dynamic changes take place from necrotic-apoptotic continuum, inflammatory response to poststroke neurogenesis, and remodeling of the network. These changes and baseline brain pathology such as small vessel disease (SVD) and amyloid burden may be associated with the occurrence of early or late poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) or dementia (PSD), which affect not only stroke victims but also their families and even society. We reviewed the current concepts and understanding of the pathophysiology for PSCI/PSD and identified useful tools for the diagnosis and the prediction of PSCI in serological, CSF, and image characteristics. Then, we untangled their relationships with blood pressure (BP) and blood pressure variability (BPV), important but often overlooked risk factors for PSCI/PSD. Finally, we provided evidence for the modifying effects of BP and BPV on PSCI as well as pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and life style modification for PSCI/PSD prevention and treatment.

Factors Associated with Cognitive Outcomes After First-Ever Ischemic Stroke: The Impact of Small Vessel Disease Burden and Neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Differences exist regarding post-stroke cognitive outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study investigates the potential factors associated with post-stroke cognitive performance and trajectories. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study using serial monitoring of cognitive function over a 1-year period after a first-ever ischemic stroke. Small vessel disease (SVD) burden and hippocampal atrophy (HA) were evaluated using the modified cerebral small vessel disease scores (mCSVD) and medial temporal atrophy score (MTA) scores. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model and a group-based trajectory model (GBTM) was used to analyze the potential factors associated with post-stroke cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were enrolled. The GEE model showed that all patients, regardless of initial cognitive performance, had a tendency to show an increase in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment over time. The cognitive performance was better in male patients with higher education levels (p = 0.046 and p < 0.001, respectively), but tended to be worse in patients with higher SVD burden and HA. The GBTM model grouped patients into low, intermediate, and high performance (LP, IP, and HP) after stroke. A higher SVD burden, rather than HA and initial stroke severity and location, independently predicted a higher odds of poor post-stroke cognitive trajectory (being in the LP group) after stroke (adjusted odds ratio 2.74, 95%CI 1.09-6.86). CONCLUSION: In patients with first-ever mild stroke, cognitive improvement over time was evident. The detrimental impact of the SVD burden may outweigh the effect of HA or acute stroke insult on the post-stroke cognitive trajectory during the 1-year follow-up.

The first two cases of neurotoxocariasis in Taiwan.

Toxocariasis is a zoonosis disease with high sero-prevalence in Southeast Asian. Neurotoxocariasis has never been reported in Taiwan. Herein, we presented 2 cases of neurotoxocariasis. The first case is a 48-year-old man with febrile headache, rapid progressive cognitive problems and later thoracic myelitis. Meningeal enhancements on the corresponding sites were found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eosinophilic pleocytosis was present in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A positive Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigen (TcES)-based immunoblotting test for CSF confirmed the diagnosis. The second case is a 42-year-old woman of progressive headache with features of increased intracranial pressure. CSF analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis initially and eosinophilic pleocytosis later. Her brain MRI was normal. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of anti-TcES IgG in CSF. The two cases were soonly cured by mebendazole. Neurotoxocariasis presented a broad spectrum of neurological symptoms and the CSF profile can be non-eosinophilic pleocytosis. The prevalence of neurotoxocariasis may be seriously underestimated due to low awareness of physicians and lack of standard conventional diagnostic test in Taiwan. The two cases of neurotoxocariasis firstly reported in Taiwan will raise physician's awareness in recognizing this curable disease particularly in managing patients with aseptic meningitis or meningoencephalitis of undetermined pathogen.

Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare and underrecognized complication after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of CIE in patients who underwent EVT. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who received EVT between September 2014 and December 2019 at 2 medical centers were included. CIE was diagnosed on clinical criteria of neurological deterioration or delayed improvement within 24 hours after the procedure that was unexplained by the infarct or hemorrhagic transformation and radiological criterion of edematous change extending beyond the infarct core accompanied by contrast staining. RESULTS: Of 421 patients with acute ischemic stroke who received EVT, 7 (1.7%) developed CIE. The manifestations included worsening of focal neurological signs, coma, and seizure. Patients with CIE were more likely to experience contrast-induced acute kidney injury than were those without CIE, but the volume of contrast medium was comparable between the two groups. The independent risk factors for CIE included renal dysfunction (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min per 1.73 m2; odds ratio, 5.77 [95% CI, 1.37-24.3]; P=0.02) and history of stroke (odds ratio, 4.96 [95% CI, 1.15-21.3]; P=0.03). Patients with CIE were less likely to achieve favorable functional outcomes (odds ratio, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01-0.87]; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: CIE should be suspected in patients with clinical worsening after EVT accompanied by imaging evidence of contrast staining and edematous changes, especially in patients with renal dysfunction or history of stroke.

New 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives as modulators of proteolytic cleavage of amyloid precursor proteins.

A type of new 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives was synthesized via concise procedure from commercially available tetrahydroisoquinoline. These derivatives were delicately designed to possess propargyl-related pharmacophores simulated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor rasagiline. We investigated the effect of these synthetic tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives on the regulation of proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by an ERK-dependent signaling pathway. Additionally, these compounds were also evaluated on the prevention of the proteolytic processing of C99 as gamma-secretase inhibitors by using a highly efficient cell-based reporter gene assay for gamma-secretase. The results suggested that certain compounds might be explored to possess both sAPPalpha-releasing stimulation and gamma-secretase inhibitory potency, which may reflect the synergetic potential of neuroprotective activities for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as they possessed both ERK activation and inhibition of amyloidogenic Abeta release.