RESUMEN
Introduction: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare disease with highly variable clinical presentation and outcomes. Clinical studies suggest a role of inflammation and coagulation in CVST outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of inflammation and hypercoagulability biomarkers with CVST clinical manifestations and prognosis. Methods: This prospective multicenter study was conducted from July 2011 to September 2016. Consecutive patients referred to 21 French stroke units and who had a diagnosis of symptomatic CVST were included. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), D-dimer, and thrombin generation using calibrated automated thrombogram system were measured at different time points until 1 month after anticoagulant therapy discontinuation. Results: Two hundred thirty-one patients were included. Eight patients died, of whom 5 during hospitalization. The day 0 hs-CRP levels, NLR, and D-dimer were higher in patients with initial consciousness disturbance than in those without (hs-CRP: 10.2 mg/L [3.6-25.5] vs 23.7 mg/L [4.8-60.0], respectively; NLR: 3.51 [2.15-5.88] vs 4.78 [3.10-9.59], respectively; D-dimer: 950 µg/L [520-2075] vs 1220 µg/L [950-2445], respectively). Patients with ischemic parenchymal lesions (n = 31) had a higher endogenous thrombin potential5pM than those with hemorrhagic parenchymal lesions (n = 31): 2025 nM min (1646-2441) vs 1629 nM min (1371-2090), respectively (P = .0082). Using unadjusted logistic regression with values >75th percentile, day 0 hs-CRP levels of >29.7 mg/L (odds ratio, 10.76 [1.55-140.4]; P = .037) and day 5 D-dimer levels of >1060 mg/L (odds ratio, 14.63 [2.28-179.9]; P = .010) were associated with death occurrence. Conclusion: Two widely available biomarkers measured upon admission, especially hs-CRP, could help predict bad prognosis in CVST in addition to patient characteristics. These results need to be validated in other cohorts.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: An association of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and takotsubo is rare. We present the first case of a male patient. CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old man presented to the hospital in a persistent comatose state following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with high blood pressure. The electrocardiogram revealed transient left bundle branch block. Troponin and BNP were elevated. Cardiac ultrasound showed large apical akinesia with altered left ventricular ejection fraction, and the left ventriculogram showed characteristic regional wall motion abnormalities involving the mid and apical segments. Brain MRI showed bilateral, cortical, and subcortical vasogenic edema predominant in the posterior right hemisphere. The lumbar puncture and cerebral angiography were normal. Paraclinical abnormalities were reversible within 2 weeks with a clinical recovery in 3 months, confirming the takotsubo and the PRES diagnoses. DISCUSSION: Several theories hypothesize the underlying pathophysiology of takotsubo or PRES. Circulating catecholamines are up to 3 times higher in patients with takotsubo causing impaired microcirculation and apical hypokinesia. An association of both takotsubo and asthma crisis and PRES and asthma crisis underlines the role of catecholamines in the occurrence of these disorders. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of this rare association, in which heart and neurological damage may require rapid intensive care support, is needed.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The compensatory effect of brain functional connectivity enhancement in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the relationships between brain functional connectivity changes and disability progression in RRMS. METHODS: Long-range connectivity, short-range connectivity, and density of connections were assessed using graph theoretical analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired in 38 RRMS patients (disease duration: 120 ± 32 months) and 24 controls. All subjects were explored at baseline and all patients and six controls 2 years later. RESULTS: At baseline, levels of long-range and short-range brain functional connectivity were higher in patients compared to controls. During the follow-up, decrease in connections' density was inversely correlated with disability progression. Post-hoc analysis evidenced differential evolution of brain functional connectivity metrics in patients according to their level of disability at baseline: while patients with lowest disability at baseline experienced an increase in all connectivity metrics during the follow-up, patients with higher disability at baseline showed a decrease in the connectivity metrics. In these patients, decrease in the connectivity metrics was associated with disability progression. CONCLUSION: The study provides two main findings: (1) brain functional connectivity enhancement decreases during the disease course after reaching a maximal level, and (2) decrease in brain functional connectivity enhancement participates in disability progression.
