Safety and outcomes of routine endovascular thrombectomy in large artery occlusion recorded in the SITS Register: An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the safety and outcomes of thrombectomy in anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke recorded in the SITS-International Stroke Thrombectomy Register (SITS-ISTR) and compare them with pooled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two national registry studies. METHODS: We identified centres recording ≥10 consecutive patients in the SITS-ISTR with at least 70% of available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months during 2014-2019. We defined large artery occlusion as intracranial internal carotid artery, first and second segment of middle cerebral artery and first segment of anterior cerebral artery. Outcome measures were functional independence (mRS score 0-2) and death at 3 months and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SICH) per modified SITS-MOST. RESULTS: Results are presented in the following order: SITS-ISTR, RCTs, MR CLEAN Registry and German Stroke Registry (GSR). Median age was 73, 68, 71 and 75 years; baseline NIHSS score was 16, 17, 16 and 15; prior intravenous thrombolysis was 62%, 83%, 78% and 56%; onset to reperfusion time was 289, 285, 267 and 249 min; successful recanalization (mTICI score 2b or 3) was 86%, 71%, 59% and 83%; functional independence at 3 months was 45.5% (95% CI: 44-47), 46.0% (42-50), 38% (35-41) and 37% (35-41), respectively; death was 19.2% (19-21), 15.3% (12.7-18.4), 29.2% (27-32) and 28.6% (27-31); and SICH was 3.6% (3-4), 4.4% (3.0-6.4), 5.8% (4.7-7.1) and not available. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy in routine clinical use registered in the SITS-ISTR showed safety and outcomes comparable to RCTs, and better functional outcomes and lower mortality than previous national registry studies.

Pulse pressure variability is associated with unfavorable outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood pressure (BP) variability has been associated with worse neurological outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients receiving treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). However, no study to date has investigated whether pulse pressure (PP) variability may be a superior indicator of the total cardiovascular risk, as measured by clinical outcomes. METHODS: Pulse pressure variability was calculated from 24-h PP measurements following tissue plasminogen activator bolus in AIS patients enrolled in the Combined Lysis of Thrombus using Ultrasound and Systemic Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Emergent Revascularization (CLOTBUST-ER) trial. The outcomes of interest were the pre-specified efficacy and safety end-points of CLOTBUST-ER. All associations were adjusted for potential confounders in multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Data from 674 participants was analyzed. PP variability was identified as the BP parameter with the most parsimonious fit in multivariable models of all outcomes, and was independently associated (P < 0.001) with lower likelihood of both 24-h neurological improvement and 90-day independent functional outcome. PP variability was also independently related to increased odds of any intracranial bleeding (P = 0.011) and 90-day mortality (P < 0.001). Every 5-mmHg increase in the 24-h PP variability was independently associated with a 36% decrease in the likelihood of 90-day independent functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.80) and a 60% increase in the odds of 90-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.23-2.07). PP variability was not associated with symptomatic intracranial bleeding at either 24 or 36 h after IVT administration. CONCLUSIONS: Increased PP variability appears to be independently associated with adverse short-term and long-term functional outcomes of AIS patients treated with IVT.

Clot Burden Score and Early Ischemia Predict Intracranial Hemorrhage following Endovascular Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial hemorrhage is a known complication following endovascular thrombectomy. The radiologic characteristics of a CT scan may assist with hemorrhage risk stratification. We assessed the radiologic predictors of intracranial hemorrhage following endovascular therapy using data from the INTERRSeCT (Identifying New Approaches to Optimize Thrombus Characterization for Predicting Early Recanalization and Reperfusion With IV Alteplase and Other Treatments Using Serial CT Angiography) study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing endovascular therapy underwent baseline imaging, postprocedural angiography, and 24-hour follow-up imaging. The primary outcome was any intracranial hemorrhage observed on follow-up imaging. The secondary outcome was symptomatic hemorrhage. We assessed the relationship between hemorrhage occurrence and baseline patient characteristics, clinical course, and imaging factors: baseline ASPECTS, thrombus location, residual flow grade, collateralization, and clot burden score. Multivariable logistic regression with backward selection was used to adjust for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Of the 199 enrolled patients who met the inclusion criteria, 46 (23%) had an intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours. On multivariable analysis, postprocedural hemorrhage was associated with pretreatment ASPECTS (OR, 1.56 per point lost; 95% CI, 1.12-2.15), clot burden score (OR, 1.19 per point lost; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38), and ICA thrombus location (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.07-8.91). In post hoc analysis, clot burden scores of ≤3 (sensitivity, 41%; specificity, 82%; OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.36-7.15) and pretreatment ASPECTS ≤ 7 (sensitivity, 48%; specificity, 82%; OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.35-7.45) robustly predicted hemorrhage. Residual flow grade and collateralization were not associated with hemorrhage occurrence. Symptomatic hemorrhage was observed in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologic factors, early ischemia on CT, and increased CTA clot burden are associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients undergoing endovascular therapy.

Safety of urgent endarterectomy in acute non-disabling stroke patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis: an international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: International recommendations advocate that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be performed within 2 weeks from the index event in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (sCAS) patients. However, there are controversial data regarding the safety of CEA performed during the first 2 days of ictus. The aim of this international, multicenter study was to prospectively evaluate the safety of urgent (0-2 days) in comparison to early (3-14 days) CEA in patients with sCAS. METHODS: Consecutive patients with non-disabling (modified Rankin Scale scores ≤2) acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack due to sCAS (≥70%) underwent urgent or early CEA at five tertiary-care stroke centers during a 6-year period. The primary outcome events included stroke, myocardial infarction or death during the 30-day follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients with sCAS underwent urgent (n = 63) or early (n = 248) CEA. The two groups did not differ in baseline characteristics with the exception of crescendo transient ischaemic attacks (21% in urgent vs. 7% in early CEA; P = 0.001). The 30-day rates of stroke did not differ (P = 0.333) between patients with urgent (7.9%; 95% confidence interval 3.1%-17.7%) and early (4.4%; 95% confidence interval 2.4%-7.9%) CEA. The mortality and myocardial infarction rates were similar between the two groups. The median length of hospitalization was shorter in urgent CEA [6 days (interquartile range 4-6) vs. 10 days (interquartile range 7-14); P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that urgent CEA performed within 2 days from the index event is related to a non-significant increase in the risk of peri-procedural stroke. The safety of urgent CEA requires further evaluation in larger datasets.

Clinical outcome of cardioembolic stroke treated by intravenous thrombolysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cardioembolic stroke (CS) in patients without thrombolytic treatment is associated with a worse clinical outcome and higher mortality compared to other types of stroke. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of CS in patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Data of patients from the SITS-EAST register (Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke) were analyzed in patients who received IVT treatment from 2000 to April 2014. The effect of the stroke etiology according to ICD-10 classification on outcome was analyzed using a univariate and multivariate analysis. The outcomes were assessed as follows: excellent clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-1) at 3 months, the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), mortality, and improvement at 24 hours after IVT. RESULTS: Data of 13 772 patients were analyzed. CS represented 30% of all strokes. The mean age of patients with CS, atherothrombotic stroke, lacunar stroke, and other stroke was 70.8, 66.7, 66.2, and 63.3 years, respectively (P < .001). Severity of stroke on admission by median NIHSS score was 13 points in patients with CS, 12 points - in atherothrombotic stroke, 7 points - in lacunar stroke, and 10 points-in other stroke types (P < .001). No difference in mortality was detected among atherothrombotic and CS; however, atherothrombotic strokes had higher odds of sICH [OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.07-2.47), P = .023], lower odds of early improvement [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.86), P < .001], and excellent clinical outcome [OR = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.67-0.87), P < .001] compared with CS. CONCLUSIONS: Cardioembolic strokes are not associated with increased mortality. Patients with CS are less likely to have sICH and have better outcome after IVT.

Intravenous thrombolysis for patients with in-hospital stroke onset: propensity-matched analysis from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke-East registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent cross-sectional study data suggest that intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with in-hospital stroke (IHS) onset is associated with unfavorable functional outcomes at hospital discharge and in-hospital mortality compared to patients with out-of-hospital stroke (OHS) onset treated with IVT. We sought to compare outcomes between IVT-treated patients with IHS and OHS by analysing propensity-score-matched data from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke-East registry. METHODS: We compared the following outcomes for all propensity-score-matched patients: (i) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage defined with the safe implementation of thrombolysis in stroke-monitoring study criteria, (ii) favorable functional outcome defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1 at 3 months, (iii) functional independence defined as an mRS score of 0-2 at 3 months and (iv) 3-month mortality. RESULTS: Out of a total of 19 077 IVT-treated patients with acute ischaemic stroke, 196 patients with IHS were matched to 5124 patients with OHS, with no differences in all baseline characteristics (P > 0.1). Patients with IHS had longer door-to-needle [90 (interquartile range, IQR, 60-140) vs. 65 (IQR, 47-95) min, P < 0.001] and door-to-imaging [40 (IQR, 20-90) vs. 24 (IQR, 15-35) min, P < 0.001] times compared with patients with OHS. No differences were detected in the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (1.6% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.756), favorable functional outcome (46.4% vs. 42.3%, P = 0.257), functional independence (60.7% vs. 60.0%, P = 0.447) and mortality (14.3% vs. 15.1%, P = 0.764). The distribution of 3-month mRS scores was similar in the two groups (P = 0.273). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underline the safety and efficacy of IVT for IHS. They also underscore the potential of reducing in-hospital delays for timely tissue plasminogen activator delivery in patients with IHS.

Treatment of acute stroke: an update.

Stroke is the second leading cause of global mortality after coronary heart disease, and a major cause of neurological disability. About 17 million strokes occur worldwide each year. Patients with stroke often require long-term rehabilitation following the acute phase, with ongoing support from the community and nursing home care. Thus, stroke is a devastating disease and a major economic burden on society. In this overview, we discuss current strategies for specific treatment of stroke in the acute phase, focusing on intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. We will consider two important issues related to intravenous thrombolysis treatments: (i) how to shorten the delay between stroke onset and treatment and (ii) how to reduce the risk of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage. Intravenous thrombolysis has been approved treatment for acute ischaemic stroke in most countries for more than 10 years, with rapid development towards new treatment strategies during that time. Mechanical thrombectomy using a new generation of endovascular tools, stent retrievers, is found to improve functional outcome in combination with pharmacological thrombolysis when indicated. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness of how to recognize a stroke and seek immediate attention from the healthcare system, as well as shorten delays in prehospital and within-hospital settings.

Safety of early endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis: an international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the latest recommendations suggest that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be performed in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (sCAS) patients within 2 weeks of the index event, only a minority of patients undergo surgery within the recommended time-frame. The aim of this international multicenter study was to prospectively evaluate the safety of early CEA in patients with sCAS in everyday clinical practice settings. METHODS: Consecutive patients with non-disabling acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) due to sCAS (≥ 70%) underwent early (≤ 14 days) CEA at five tertiary-care stroke centers during a 2-year period. Primary outcome events included stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) or death occurring during the 30-day follow-up period and were defined according to the International Carotid Stenting Study criteria. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients with sCAS [mean age 69 ± 10 years; 69% men; 70% AIS; 6% crescendo TIA; 8% with contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion] underwent early CEA (median elapsed time from symptom onset 8 days). Urgent CEA (≤ 2 days) was performed in 20 cases (12%). The primary outcomes of stroke and MI were 4.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5%-8.1%] and 0.6% (95% CI 0%-1.8%). The combined outcome event of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal MI or death was 5.5% (95% CI 2.0%-9.0%). Crescendo TIA, contralateral ICA occlusion and urgent CEA were not associated (P > 0.2) with a higher 30-day stroke rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the risk of early CEA in consecutive unselected patients with non-disabling AIS or TIA due to sCAS is acceptable when the procedure is performed within 2 weeks (or even within 2 days) from symptom onset.

Benefit of thrombolysis for stroke is maintained around the clock: results from the SITS-EAST Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The outcome of thrombolysis for early morning and sleep time strokes may be worse because of uncertainty of stroke onset time or differences in logistics. The aim of the study was to analyze if stroke outcome after intravenous thrombolysis differs depending on time of day when the stroke occurs. METHODS: The data collected in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke - Eastern Europe (SITS-EAST) Registry between September 2000 and December 2011 were used. Strokes were categorized as night-time 00:00-07:59, day-time 08:00-15:59 and evening-time 16:00-23:59 and were compared in terms of several outcome measures. All results were adjusted for baseline differences. RESULTS: A total of 8878 patients were enrolled: 18% had night-time, 54% day-time and 28% evening-time strokes. Onset-to-treatment time in patients with night-time strokes was 10 min longer than in day-time and evening-time strokes (P < 0.001). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage by ECASS II definition occurred in 5.6%, 5.6% and 5.3% (adjusted P = 0.41) of the night-time, day-time and evening-time stroke patients, respectively; by SITS definition it occurred in 2.5%, 1.9% and 1.3% (adjusted P = 0.013) and by NINDS definition in 7.8%, 7.6% and 7.5% (adjusted P = 0.74). Patients with night-time, day-time and evening-time strokes achieved modified Rankin Scale score 0-1 in 33%, 31%, 31% (adjusted P = 0.34) and 0-2 in 52%, 51%, 50% (adjusted P = 0.23), and 13%, 15%, 16% respectively of patients died (adjusted P = 0.17) by 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The time when stroke occurs (day versus evening versus night) does not affect the outcome after thrombolysis despite the fact that patients with night-time strokes have worse time management.

Intravenous thrombolysis in young stroke patients: results from the SITS-ISTR.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in 18- to 50-year-old patients compared to those aged 51 to 80 years recorded in the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR). METHODS: A total of 27,671 patients aged 18-80 years treated with IV alteplase within 4.5 hours of symptom onset were enrolled in SITS-ISTR between 2002 and 2010. Main outcome measures were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH; deterioration of ≥4 points on the NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] within 24 hours and type 2 parenchymal hematoma), mortality, and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) at 3 months. RESULTS: In the 3,246 (11.7%) patients aged 18-50, SICH occurred in 0.6% vs 1.9% in those aged 51-80 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.90, p = 0.02). Three-month mortality was 4.9% and 14.4%, respectively (aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.40-0.60, p < 0.001) and functional independence was 72.1% vs 54.5%, respectively (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.43-1.80, p < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis in young patients, baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) was the only independent factor associated with SICH (p = 0.04). Baseline NIHSS, baseline glucose, and signs of infarction in baseline imaging scan were associated with higher mortality and poorer functional outcome. Male gender, mRS before stroke, and atrial fibrillation (AF) were associated with higher mortality, and age, SBP, and previous stroke were associated with mRS. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with IV alteplase is safe in young ischemic stroke patients and they benefit more compared to older patients. We found several factors associated with SICH, mortality, and functional outcome. These can be used to help in the selection of young ischemic stroke patients for thrombolysis. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that younger patients (18-50 years) with ischemic stroke symptoms treated with IV alteplase have lower morbidity and mortality compared to older patients (51-80 years).

Diagnosis of recanalization of the intracranial artery has poor inter-rater reliability.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recanalization is the important outcome measure for acute stroke therapy. Several methods of recanalization assessment are used in clinical practice, but few studies have addressed their reliability. We, therefore, sought to assess interobserver reliability of the diagnosis of intracranial artery recanalization following intervention by using TIMI criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The digital angiography scans of all patients with acute ischemic stroke during 2009 undergoing DSA and endovascular procedures at Ostrava University Hospital were assessed in the study. Images were retrospectively evaluated for intracranial artery recanalization on the TIMI scale by 2 experienced neuroradiologists who were blinded to clinical findings and to each other. RESULTS: The angiography scans of 43 patients (16 females; age, 70.5 ± 14 years; median baseline NIHSS score, 15 [IQR, 11-18]) were retrospectively evaluated in our study. At 3 months, 27% of patients had mRS scores ≤ 2 and mortality was 18%. Two radiologists diagnosed TIMI grades as follows: TIMI 0, 16%, and 16%; TIMI 1, 21%, and 8%; TIMI 2a, 32% and 29%; TIMI 2b, 13% and 16%; TIMI 3, 18, and 31%. Interobserver agreement for recanalization was weighted κ = 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of recanalization after interventional procedures was found to have poor interobserver agreement between 2 experienced neuroradiologists. TIMI criteria, therefore, do not permit reliable comparison of the efficacy of recanalization therapy among different studies.

Calling 911 in response to stroke: no change following a four-year educational campaign.

BACKGROUND: Public awareness campaigns are conducted to increase stroke awareness, yet evidence of their long-term effectiveness is limited. Since 2006, the Czech Stroke Society has conducted an educational campaign throughout the Czech Republic (CR) to increase awareness about stroke. This report evaluates the effectiveness of this campaign by comparing the results of a nationwide survey on stroke awareness in 2009 with the results from 2005. METHODS: In 2009, a nationwide survey was conducted throughout the CR using the same methodology as in 2005 and employing a 3-stage random sampling method (area, household, and household member sampling). Participants >40 years of age were personally interviewed via a structured questionnaire concerning their knowledge and ability to correctly respond to stroke as assessed by the validated Stroke Action Test (STAT). The primary outcome measure was the difference in a STAT score >50% (i.e. respondents chose to call 911 for >50% of stroke symptoms) between 2005 and 2009. Campaign intensity was characterized by a systematic search for media messages about stroke in the CR. RESULTS: A total of 601 interviews were obtained (90% response rate) in 2009 (592 people were interviewed in 2005). A STAT score >50% was achieved by 18% of the respondents both in 2005 and 2009 (p = 0.89). There was no increase in the knowledge of risk factors or warning signs between 2005 and 2009. Respondents who noticed the campaign (19%) had better STAT scores than respondents who did not (25 vs. 17%; p = 0.038). A systematic search revealed that the campaign had reasonable intensity because there were 978 media reports about stroke between 2006 and 2008. CONCLUSIONS: A medium-intensity educational campaign, based on donated advertising media, failed to increase stroke awareness. However, if the campaign had reached more people, it might have been effective. Therefore, in the future, paid advertising media should accompany free media, although such approach would require a substantially larger budget. Awareness campaigns should be constantly evaluated for their effectiveness to develop more successful strategies.

Safety of performing CT angiography in stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to contrast agents may cause nephrotoxicity. The safety of performing CT angiography without having knowledge of the baseline creatinine level in stroke patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has not been established. METHODS: This is an observational cohort study, with a historical control group to evaluate the safety of CT angiography performed before tPA treatment given within 3 h of symptom onset. The CT angiography group represents all patients treated with tPA between September/2003 and November/2007 who had CT angiography. The control group consists of all patients treated with tPA between January 1999 and August 2003 when CT angiography was not performed. The primary outcome was a creatinine increase in 24-72 h compared with baseline; the secondary outcome was a creatinine increase by > or = 44 micromol/l in 24-72 h and the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH). RESULTS: Baseline parameters between the CT angiography group (164 patients, age 70+/-11; 91 male) and the control group (77 patients, age 67+/-11; 45 male) were similar. In the CT angiography group, the mean creatinine increase was -0.89 mmol/l and in the control group 2.2 mmol/l (p=0.42). A creatinine increase of > or = 44 micromol/l occurred in five patients (3%) in the CT angiography group and in three patients (4%) in the control group (p=0.50). Also, in the CT angiography group, eight patients (5%) had sICH as compared with three patients (4%) in the control group (p=0.73). CONCLUSION: Contrast agents given for CT angiography, performed in patients with normal and abnormal creatinine level, neither caused renal injury nor interfered with the safety of tPA treatment.

Nuclear receptors gene polymorphisms and risk of restenosis and clinical events following coronary stenting.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary factors connected with inflammation and fibroproliferation may play important role in restenotic process after coronary stenting. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and retinoic X receptors (RXR) regulate the transcription of crucial genes involved in the glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and cell differentiation. METHODS: In our angiographic and clinical study we assessed the association of gene polymorphisms of L162V for PPAR-alpha, C161T for PPAR-gamma and A(39526)AA for RXR-alpha with the risk of restenosis and cardiac events after coronary stenting. Primary endpoint was diameter stenosis > or = 50% at follow-up angiography. Secondary endpoints were death, myocardial infarction and/or target lesion revascularisation at 12 months, and clinical restenosis. The results were adjusted for known predictors of restenosis. The genotypes were analysed by polymerase chains reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. RESULTS: Control angiography was performed in 477 of 565 patients (84.4%) with following restenosis rates in genotype subgroups: CC 29.0% vs GC/GG 22.6% (p = 0.33) in L162V, CC 29.9% vs TC/TT 24.6% (p = 0.24) in C161T and A/A 26.9% vs A/AA + AA/AA 35.0% (p = 0.14) in A(39526)AA polymorphisms. The T allele ofC161T polymorphism was associated with lower frequency of clinical restenosis (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: We could not find an association of L162V PPAR-alpha, C161T PPAR-gamma and A(39526)AA RXR-alpha gene polymorphisms with angiographic in-stent restenosis or major cardiac events. However, we found the relationship between C161T PPAR-gamma polymorphism and clinical restenosis deserving further study.

A pilot study on systemic thrombolysis followed by low molecular weight heparin in ischemic stroke.

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administered immediately after intravenous thrombolysis (IT) may reduce the risk of arterial re-occlusion. Its benefit, however, may not outweigh the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We sought preliminary data regarding safety of this combined therapy in an open-label, non-randomized study. The patients received either a standard anticoagulation (AC) starting 24 h after IT (the standard AC group) or AC with 2850 IU of nadroparin, given every 12 h immediately after IT (the early AC group). Sixty patients received IT treatment: 25 in the standard AC group [mean age 66, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 13, 64% men] and 35 in the early AC group (mean age 68, median NIHSS 13, 69% men). Symptomatic ICH occurred in one patient (4%) in the standard AC group and three patients (8.6%) in the early AC group [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95%CI 0.2-12.8]. At 3 months, nine patients in the standard AC group (36%) and 16 patients in the early AC group (45.7%) achieved a modified Rankin scale 0 or 1 (OR 1.2; 95%CI 0.5-3.2). Our study suggests that treatment with LMWH could be associated with higher odds of ICH, although it may not necessarily lead to a worse outcome. This justifies larger clinical trials.

Acute stroke: therapeutic transcranial Doppler sonography.

Ultrasound (US) has emerged as a new tool to treat ischemic stroke. The potential advantage of US is decreased risk of systemic bleeding complications due to its site-specific effect. Moreover, external application is noninvasive and is readily available. Experimental studies showed that low intensity (

Symptomatic rotational occlusion of the vertebral artery -- case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent symptomatic vertebral artery (VA) occlusion associated with voluntary turning of the head is known as bow hunter's stroke. A total of 40 such cases have been reported in the literature to date. We report a case successfully treated with surgical decompression and review the literature on this topic. Treatment options, including vertebral artery decompression and cervical fusion, are reviewed. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old Caucasian male experienced headache, vertigo, and nausea in the past 20 years whenever he turned his head to the right. In a neutral head position all symptoms immediately disappeared. Six years before admission to our department the patient complained that prolonged rotation to the right caused vertigo and nausea accompanied by right-sided hemianopia and transient right-sided hemiparesis. At that time, no treatment was recommended and hemianopia did not improve spontaneously. The patient was referred to our department in 2002. Angiography disclosed normal carotid arteries, occlusion of the right VA, while the left VA was patent in the neutral position. However, during head rotation to the right, the artery became occluded at the C1-2 level. The left vertebral artery at level C1-2 was decompressed. RESULT: Postoperative angiography indicated patent left VA, both in the neutral position and during maximal rotation to the right. The patient is symptom-free for more than 24 months. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of bow hunter's syndrome is easy and effective; this case should draw more attention to a very rare cause of VBI. The authors believe that vertebral artery decompression represents a more physiological treatment modality, and hence decompression is recommended as a first-line procedure.

[Management and methods of delivery in women with aortic coarctation--results of 64 pregnancies in 41 women]. / Dispenzarizace a zpusob vedení porodu u zen s koarktací aorty--výsledky 64 tehotenství u 41 zen.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal morbidity and mortality of women suffering from coarctation of the aorta as well as the perinatal mortality of babies delivered by women with this anomaly of the aorta. According to our experience we recommend a suitable form of a follow up and suggest an optimal mode of delivery for these patients. DESIGN: Original paper. SETTING: 1st and 2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Masaryk University of Brno--Maternity Hospital, Obilní Trh 11, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic. METHODS: Our set consists of 34 pregnant women with coarctation of the aorta. These patients were followed up during the pregnancy in the years 1964-1998 by the Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases in Pregnancy in the Maternity Hospital in Brno. Seven women who were not operated on for the coarctation of the aorta (group A) were pregnant 14 times. Twenty seven women who were operated on for the coarctation (group B) had 50 pregnancies. RESULTS: There were no maternal deaths in our set. From the 12 delivered babies of women with non operated coarctation of the aorta one child was SGA (small for gestational age). From 42 babies born by women who underwent an radical operation of the coarctation of the aorta previously we had to face one death of a newborn who was SGA as well. CONCLUSION: The radical operation of the aorta should be carried out during the first year of age if possible, between the 9th to 12th month, at best. With women who were not operated on there is a greater risk of rupture of the aneurysm of the aorta and aneurysm of the cerebral arteries in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, during the labor and in the early puerperium. We would advise therefore a through follow up during the whole pregnancy. The high BP should be lowered medicamentally. As to the mode of delivery Caesarean section is preferred. With women who were successfully operated on in their early infancy and whose BP is normal or the systolic BP does not exceed 160 mmHg the Caesarean section is not mandatory but elective. We would mostly advise a spontaneous delivery with shortening of the 2nd stage of the labor by forceps or vacuumextraction--the delivery by Caesarean section in accordance with usual obstetrical practice.