Young stroke patient with patent foramen ovale and intracranial stenosis-a case report.

The prevalence of patent foramen ovale is approximately 20% in the global population. In patients under the age of 55 years, it has been proven as a cause of acute ischemic embolic stroke of otherwise undetermined source. We present a case of a 25-year-old patient who experienced an acute stroke of dominant hemisphere due to internal carotid artery occlusion.The patient underwent mechanical thrombectomy, followed by acute intracranial stenting due to persistent subocclusion of internal carotid artery. Further diagnostic investigations revealed a significant patent foramen ovale. During subsequent follow-up periods, the patient encountered multiple transient ischemic attacks despite receiving antithrombotic therapy. The indicated angiography examination revealed in-stent stenosis and thrombosis, which were resolved after optimal medical treatment. Following patent foramen ovale closure, the patient remained free from further neurological events during the subsequent two-year follow-up periods. This case emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive diagnostic evaluations in young individuals with stroke and underscores the importance of prudent slection of medical therapies.

Experiences and attitudes of medical professionals on treatment of end-of-life patients in intensive care units in the Republic of Croatia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about limitations of life sustaining treatments (LST) are made for end-of-life patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this research was to explore the professional and ethical attitudes and experiences of medical professionals on treatment of end-of-life patients in ICUs in the Republic of Croatia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians and nurses working in surgical, medical, neurological, and multidisciplinary ICUs in the total of 9 hospitals throughout Croatia using a questionnaire with closed and open type questions. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to reduce data to a smaller set of summary variables. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyse the differences between two groups and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyse the differences between more than two groups. RESULTS: Less than third of participants (29.2%) stated they were included in the decision-making process, and physicians are much more included than nurses (p < 0.001). Sixty two percent of participants stated that the decision-making process took place between physicians. Eighteen percent of participants stated that 'do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitations' orders were frequently made in their ICUs. A decision to withdraw inotropes and antibiotics was frequently made as stated by 22.4% and 19.9% of participants, respectively. Withholding/withdrawing of LST were ethically acceptable to 64.2% of participants. Thirty seven percent of participants thought there was a significant difference between withholding and withdrawing LST from an ethical standpoint. Seventy-nine percent of participants stated that a verbal or written decision made by a capable patient should be respected. Physicians were more inclined to respect patient's wishes then nurses with high school education (p = 0.038). Nurses were more included in the decision-making process in neurological than in surgical, medical, or multidisciplinary ICUs (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.023 respectively). Male participants in comparison to female (p = 0.002), and physicians in comparison to nurses with high school and college education (p < 0.001) displayed more liberal attitudes about LST limitation. CONCLUSIONS: DNACPR orders are not commonly made in Croatian ICUs, even though limitations of LST were found ethically acceptable by most of the participants. Attitudes of paternalistic and conservative nature were expected considering Croatia's geographical location in Southern Europe.

Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy - Single Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with epilepsy commonly report depressive symptoms. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and depression. We also wanted to evaluate possible association between depressive symptofigms in patients with epilepsy with the quality of life (QoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the tertiary teaching hospital (University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia) with Ethics committee approval. Questionnaires evaluating depressive symptoms and QoL were administered to consecutive patients treated in the Referral Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for Epilepsy. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17). Quality of life was assessed using Quality of life in epilepsy-31 inventory (QOLIE-31). RESULTS: 108 patients (63% women, 37% men; mean age 39.54±15.91 years, range 18-80 years) with epilepsy were included. 14.8% of patients had focal, 35.2% generalised and 40.7% both types of epilepsy. Majority of patients (65.74%) were on two and more AEDs and quarter was on monotherapy (25%); 42% were on newer, 19% on older and 39% on both AEDs. Mean total score on HAM-D17 was 9.94±8.18 (men - mean total score 10.16±8.85, women - mean total score 9.81±7.84). There were no significant differences on HAM-D17 regarding gender and age. We didn't find statistically significant differences regarding AEDs (older vs. newer AEDs, or both types AEDs) and results on HAM-D17, nor between the type of epilepsy and results on HAM-D17. We found strong negative correlation between the higher QoL and HAM-D17 (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study evaluating depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy demonstrate that our patients mainly experience mild depressive symptoms, with no significant differences on HAM-D17 regarding gender and age. Patients with epilepsy with less pronounced depressive symptoms were found to have higher QoL. We did not find statistically significant differences regarding the type of epilepsy and results on HAM-D17, nor between the AEDs (older vs. newer AEDs, or both types AEDs) and results on HAM-D17.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: a report on outcomes in a single-center retrospective cohort treated surgically and/or endovascularly.

AIM: To report on the outcomes of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (sDAVFs) treatment in a single-center retrospective cohort. METHODS: Data were retrieved on sDAVF cases treated surgically and endovascularly between January 2009 and January 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical, imaging data, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were identified: 11 female, mean age 64.1 ± 11.5 years; mean time of symptom duration 12 (range 1-149) months. The sDAVF locations were the following: 18 (62.1%) thoracic, 4 (13.8%) lumbar, 4 (13.8%) sacral, and 3 (10%) with multiple location feeders. All patients had a motor deficit and affected walking, and the majority had a sensory deficit, bowel, and bladder dysfunction. Fifteen (44.1%) patients underwent surgical treatment, 7 (20.6%) underwent endovascular treatment, and 12 (35.3%) underwent both (crossover). Radiological myelopathy showed regression in 19 (55.9%) patients. Overall, clinical improvement (decrease in modified Rankin score) following treatment was observed in 14 patients (41.2%), worsening in 1 (2.9%), while other had unchanged status. The proportion of patients with initial treatment failure markedly differed between the before-2014 and after-2014 period. Patients who failed to improve had more extensive myelopathy. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent surgery or endovascular treatment had on average significant clinical recovery, while those who underwent treatment crossover had negligible improvement. The extent of myelopathy seems to be associated with clinical improvement.

Transient acute hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm embolization: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Acute hydrocephalus is a common complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). It can be self-limiting or require cerebrospinal fluid diversion. We aimed to determine the transient acute hydrocephalus (TAH) rate in patients with aSAH treated endovascularly and evaluate its predictive factors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 357 patients with aSAH who underwent endovascular treatment from March 2013 to December 2019 was performed. Clinical and radiographic data were analyzed and risk factors with potential significance for acute hydrocephalus were identified. We constructed a new risk score, the Drainage Or Transiency of Acute Hydrocephalus after Aneurysmal SAH (DOTAHAS) score, that may differentiate patients who would experience TAH from those needing surgical interventions. RESULTS: Acute hydrocephalus occurred in 129 patients (36%), out of whom in 66 patients (51%) it was self-limiting while 63 patients (49%) required external ventricular drainage placement. As independent risk factors for acute hydrocephalus, we identified older age, poor initial clinical condition, aSAH from posterior circulation, and the extent of cisternal and intraventricular hemorrhage. The following three factors were shown to predict acute hydrocephalus transiency and therefore included in the DOTAHAS score, ranging from 0 to 7 points: Hunt and Hess grade ≥ 3 (1 point), modified Fisher grade 4 (2 points), and Ventricular Hijdra Sum Score (vHSS) ≥ 6 (4 points). Patients scoring ≥ 3 points had significantly higher risk for EVD (P < 0.0001) than other patients. CONCLUSION: The newly developed DOTAHAS score can be useful in identifying patients with transient acute hydrocephalus. Further score evaluation is needed.

Comparison between stenting and conservative management of posterior circulation perforator aneurysms: Systematic review and case series.

PURPOSE: Posterior circulation perforator aneurysms (PCPAs) are a rare type of intracranial aneurysms whose natural history and optimal clinical management are still largely unexplored. This study aims to report our experience with treating ruptured PCPAs and to provide a systematic review of the literature to compare the two most established treatment options, endovascular stenting, and conservative management including administration of antifibrinolytic drugs and watchful waiting. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Major databases were searched for case reports and case report series written in the English language between 1995 and 2020. Additionally, we retrospectively reviewed our stroke center database for cases of ruptured PCPAs between January 2014 and July 2020. Endovascular stenting and conservative treatment were compared using endpoints, including favorable outcome rate (mRS 0-2), occlusion rate, mortality rate, periinterventional complication rate, and re-hemorrhage rate. RESULTS: We identified 31 patients treated endovascularly using stents and 33 patients treated conservatively, with the administration of antifibrinolytic drugs in 3 of them. Our analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the groups, except for the occlusion rate. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal management strategy of PCPAs is still unknown, but stenting can be considered as an effective occlusion method with an acceptable complication rate. Preventive ventricular drainage may be necessary due to the high hydrocephalus rate encountered in ruptured PCPAs.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY - SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE.

A prospective study was carried out at the Zagreb University Hospital Centre to evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with epilepsy (PE), and its association with depressive symptoms and sexual dysfunction (SD). QoL was assessed by use of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 Inventory (QOLIE-31), SD by the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and depressive symptoms by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17). The study included 108 PE (women 63% and men 37% men), mean age 39.54±15.91 years. Focal type epilepsy was diagnosed in 14.8%, generalized type in 35.2%, and both types were present in 40.7% of study patients. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) was present in 44/108 and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was implanted in 27/44 patients. The mean response on QOLIE-31 was 62.88±17.21 with no significant differences according to gender, type of epilepsy, and age. A statistically significantly lower QoL was found in the 'Overall QoL' domain (35-55 vs. <35 age group). Patients taking both types of AEDs had a significantly lower QoL compared to those on newer types of AEDs. Higher QoL was associated with less pronounced depressive symptoms (p=0.000). Significant correlations were found between lower QoL and SD (p=0.001). In 27 patients with DRE having undergone VNS, a favorable effect of VNS implantation on the QoL and mood was observed as compared with 18 patients without VNS (p=0.041).

Long-Term Prognosis for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome after Recanalization Therapy for Stroke.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of interrelated factors that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between MetS and its diagnostic criteria with the severity and outcome of stroke after recanalization therapy. Methods: Ninety four patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Patients were categorized into two groups: with (n = 47) or without MetS (n = 47). We analyzed their demographic data, medical history, individual criteria for MetS, anthropometric characteristics, stroke severity (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS], neuroimaging criteria, laboratory), recanalization treatment method (thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy), recanalization rate, and in-hospital complications rate. Late outcome (in 12 months follow-up) was measured by modified Rankin scale, followed by functional evaluation of plegic hand, walking assessment, self-care ability, physical therapy days, and major adverse cardiovascular events. MetS was determined, in case the participant had three of the five criteria using National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. A probability value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 92.6% of all patients had hypertension and 63.8% were obese. Despite the fact that there were no statistically significant differences in stroke severity and/or recanalization rate between two groups, MetS patients had to use devices more, while performing hand functions (P = 0.027). Nonassisted walking was proved to be more frequent among patients without MetS (P = 0.020). MetS patients proved less ability for self-care (44.4% vs. 75%, P = 0.031) and spent more days in physical therapy (median 30.0 vs. 16.5, P = 0.043). Conclusion: MetS in poststroke patients is related with poorer recovery of hand function, walking abilities, and more days spent in physical therapy.

Acute Carotid Stent Thrombosis in an Ultrarapid Clopidogrel Metabolizer: Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) represents an effective procedure for treating carotid artery disease. The acute in-stent thrombosis is an extremely rare complication of CAS especially when it occurs postprocedurally during the first 24 hours. Improper antiplatelet therapy or poor response to antiplatelet medications is known to be associated with a higher risk of in-stent thrombosis during early postprocedural period following a successful intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient who experienced acute carotid in-stent thrombosis in early postprocedural period is described. He had been taking dual antiplatelet therapy for 2 weeks before undergoing a successful CAS. Moreover, pharmacogenetics studies showed the patient to be a clopidogrel ultrarapid metabolizer, which theoretically confers hyperresponsivity to medication. Alongside the report itself, a brief literature review of relevant sources pertinent to the case has been conducted. RESULTS: According to the available literature, this is the first case report describing an ultrarapid clopidogrel metabolizer who underwent an uneventful CAS but experienced acute carotid in-stent thrombosis in early postprocedural period. A rescue procedure included an endovascular intervention consisting of thrombectomy and local alteplase application, followed by postprocedural administration of intravenous eptifibatide. At discharge, patient's dual antiplatelet therapy included ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel. CONCLUSION: Acute carotid in-stent thrombosis is a highly unexpected complication of CAS and can occur despite ultrarapid clopidogrel metabolism trait.

Emergent Rescue Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass for Acute Carotid Stent Thrombosis Report.

BACKGROUND: Acute stent thrombosis is a rare adverse event following endovascular treatment of carotid artery. Experience on the topic is scarce, making the therapeutic approach a clinical challenge. In cases of intraprocedural acute carotid stent thrombosis, thromboaspiration, thrombectomy, and thrombolysis have been used as successful modalities for achieving recanalization. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a case of carotid artery dissection treated endovascularly and complicated by intraprocedural stent thrombosis, which was ultimately managed by emergent extracranial-intracranial bypass with radial artery graft connecting the external carotid artery to the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgical management may represent a rescue option for otherwise unmanageable acute carotid stent thrombosis.

A multimodal pharmacological agent in combination with recanalization therapy (thrombolysis and thrombectomy) in severe stroke patients.

This case report highlights a case of large ischemic stroke and indication for anticoagulant therapy treated with thrombolysis and pharmacological intervention for neurological recovery with a multimodal agent (Cerebrolysin) as add-on therapy to recanalization techniques, including IV thrombolysis. We observed a significant clinical improvement after one year of follow-up. Based on our experience, we can assert that Cerebrolysin can be safely administered in stroke patients, even in complicated cases, with a good chance for improvement of their clinical status.

Clinical Application of Genotype-guided Dosing of Warfarin in Patients with Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Patients with certain types of stroke need urgent anticoagulation and it is extremely important for them to achieve fast and stable anticoagulant effect and receive individualized treatment during the initiation of warfarin therapy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study among 210 acute stroke patients who had an indication for anticoagulation and compared the impact of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype-guided warfarin dosing (PhG) with fixed dosing (NPhG) on anticoagulation control and clinical outcome between groups. RESULTS: PhG achieved target INR values earlier, i.e., on average in 4.2 (4.1-4.7, 95% CI) days compared to NPhG (5.2 days [4.7-6.4, 95% CI]) (p = 0.0009), spent a higher percentage of time in the therapeutic INR range (76.3% [74.7-78.5, 95% CI] vs. 67.1% [64.5-69.6, 95% CI] in NPhG), and spent less time overdosed (INR > 3.1) (PhG 0.4 [0.1-0.7, 95% CI], NPhG 1.7 [1.1-2.3, 95% CI] days; p >0.000). PhG reached stable maintenance dose faster (10 [9.9-10.7, 95% CI] vs. 13.9 [13.3-14.7, 95% CI] days in controls; p = 0.0049) and had a better clinical outcome in relation to neurological deficit on admission as compared to NPhG. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that warfarin therapy with genotype-guided dosing instead of fixed dosing reduces the time required for stabilization and improves anticoagulant control with better clinical outcome in early stages of warfarin therapy introduction among acute stroke patients, which is essential for clinical practice.

Long-term angiographic outcome of stent-assisted coiling compared to non-assisted coiling of intracranial saccular aneurysms.

AIM: To compare angiographic result at long-term follow-up, and rates of progressive occlusion, recurrence, and retreatment of stent-assisted coiled (SAC) and non-assisted coiled (NAC) intracranial saccular aneurysms. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of department records identified 260 patients with 283 saccular intracranial aneurysms who had long-term angiographic follow-up (more than 12 months) and were successfully treated with SAC (89 aneurysms) or NAC (194 aneurysms) at the University Hospital Center Zagreb from June 2005 to July 2012. Initial and control angiographic results in both groups were graded using Roy/Raymond scale, converted to descriptive terms, and the differences between them were evaluated for statistical significance. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors related to progression of aneurysm occlusion and recurrence at follow-up, and those related to aneurysm retreatment. RESULTS: There were more progressively occluded aneurysms in SAC group (38 of 89 aneurysms, 42.7%) than in NAC group (46 of 194, 23.7%) (P=0.002), but there were no significant differences in the rates of recanalization, regrowth, and stable result. Multivariate logistic regression identified the use of stent as the most important factor associated with progressive occlusion (P=0.015, odds ratio 2.22, 95% confidence interval 1.17-4.21), and large aneurysm size and posterior circulation location as most predictive of aneurysm recurrence and retreatment. CONCLUSION: The use of stent is associated with delayed occlusion of initially incompletely coiled aneurysms during follow-up, but does not reduce the rate of recurrence and retreatment compared to coiling alone. Long-term angiographic follow-up is needed for both SAC and NAC aneurysms.

Economic evaluation of pharmacogenomic-guided warfarin treatment for elderly Croatian atrial fibrillation patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND & METHODS: Economic evaluation in genomic medicine is an emerging discipline to assess the cost-effectiveness of genome-guided treatment. Here, we developed a pharmaco-economic model to assess whether pharmacogenomic (PGx)-guided warfarin treatment of elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation in Croatia is cost effective compared with non-PGx therapy. The time horizon of the model was set at 1 year. RESULTS: Our primary analysis indicates that 97.07% (95% CI: 94.08-99.34%) of patients belonging to the PGx-guided group have not had any major complications, compared with the control group (89.12%; 95% CI: 84.00-93.87%, p < 0.05). The total cost per patient was estimated at €538.7 (95% CI: €526.3-551.2) for the PGx-guided group versus €219.7 (95% CI: €137.9-304.2) for the control group. In terms of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained, total QALYs was estimated at 0.954 (95% CI: 0.943-0.964) and 0.944 (95% CI: 0.931-0.956) for the PGx-guided and the control groups, respectively. The true difference in QALYs was estimated at 0.01 (95% CI: 0.005-0.015) in favor of the PGx-guided group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the PGx-guided versus the control groups was estimated at €31,225/QALY. CONCLUSION: Overall, our data indicate that PGx-guided warfarin treatment may represent a cost-effective therapy option for the management of elderly patients with atrial fibrillation who developed ischemic stroke in Croatia.

Endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery pseudo-aneurysm presenting with epistaxis. A case report.

Recurrent epistaxis is a rare presentation of internal carotid artery C4/C5 segment pseudo-aneurysm rupture. We describe a case of a traumatic internal carotid artery pseudo-aneurysm with recurrent epistaxis as a leading symptom that was finally managed with endovascular treatment with stent-assisted coil placement. Clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid orally were introduced in the therapy for further stent thrombosis prevention and epistaxis did not recur on six-month follow-up. Endovascular treatment with stent-assisted coil placement seems to be a good method for pseudo-aneurysm treatment while keeping the lumen of the parent artery patent.

General recommendations for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurologic emergency and a detrimental cerebrovascular event with a high rate of death and complications. Recommendations have been developed and based on literature search, evaluation of the results of large international clinical trials, collective experience of the authors, and endorsed by the Croatian Society of Neurovascular Disorders, Croatian Society of Neurology including Section for Neurocritical Care, Croatian Neurosurgical Society, Croatian Society for Difficult Airway Management and Croatian Medical Association. The aim of these guidelines is to provide current and comprehensive recommendations and to assist physicians in making appropriate decisions in the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Evidence based information on the epidemiology, risk factors and prognosis, as well as recommendations on diagnostic work up, monitoring and management are provided, with regard to treatment possibilities in Croatia.