Delayed Neurological Improvement After Full Endovascular Reperfusion in Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose: We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of delayed neurological improvement (DNI) after complete endovascular reperfusion in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: Retrospective analysis of an online multicenter prospective reperfusion registry of patients with consecutive anterior circulation AIS treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) from January 2018 to June 2019 in tertiary stroke centers of the NORDICTUS (NORD-Spain Network for Research and Innovation in ICTUS) network. We included patients with AIS with a proximal occlusion in whom a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3 reperfusion pattern was obtained. DNI was defined if, despite absence of early neurological improvement during the first 24 hours, patients achieved functional independence on day 90. Clinical and radiological variables obtained before EVT were analyzed as potential predictors of DNI. Results: Of 1565 patients with consecutive AIS treated with EVT, 1381 had proximal anterior circulation occlusions, 803 (58%) of whom achieved a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3. Of these, 628 patients fulfilled all selection criteria and were included in the study. Mean age was 73.8 years, 323 (51.4%) were female, and median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 16. Absence of early neurological improvement was observed in 142 (22.6%) patients; 32 of these (22.5%) achieved good long-term outcome and constitute the DNI group. Predictors of DNI in multivariable-adjusted logistic regression were male sex (odds ratio, 6.4 [95% CI, 2.1­22.3] P=0.002), lower pre-EVT National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (odds ratio, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.2­1.5], P<0.001), and intravenous thrombolysis (odds ratio, 9.1 [95% CI, 2.7­30.90], P<0.001). Conclusions: One-quarter of patients with anterior circulation AIS who do not clinically improve within the first 24 hours after complete cerebral endovascular recanalization will achieve long-term functional independence, regardless of the poor early clinical course. Male sex, lower initial clinical severity, and use of intravenous thrombolysis before EVT predicted this clinical pattern.

Oral Anticoagulation and Risk of Symptomatic Hemorrhagic Transformation in Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy: Data From the Nordictus Registry.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate if prior oral anticoagulation (OAC) and its type determines a greater risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) subjected to mechanical thrombectomy. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with AIS included in the prospective reperfusion registry NORDICTUS, a network of tertiary stroke centers in Northern Spain, from January 2017 to December 2019 were included. Prior use of oral anticoagulants, baseline variables, and international normalized ratio (INR) on admission were recorded. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome was the relation between INR and sICH, and we evaluated mortality and functional outcome at 3 months by modified Rankin scale. We compared patients with and without previous OAC and also considered the type of oral anticoagulants. Results: About 1.455 AIS patients were included, of whom 274 (19%) were on OAC, 193 (70%) on vitamin K antagonists (VKA), and 81 (30%) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Anticoagulated patients were older and had more comorbidities. Eighty-one (5.6%) developed sICH, which was more frequent in the VKA group, but not in DOAC group. OAC with VKA emerged as a predictor of sICH in a multivariate regression model (OR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.01-3.51], p = 0.04) and was not related to INR level on admission. Prior VKA use was not associated with worse outcome in the multivariate regression model nor with mortality at 3 months. Conclusions: OAC with VKA, but not with DOACs, was an independent predictor of sICH after mechanical thrombectomy. This excess risk was associated neither with INR value by the time thrombectomy was performed, nor with a worse functional outcome or mortality at 3 months.

Ictus vertebrobasilar: registro de tiempos de asistencia y factores relacionados con la atención precoz / Vertebrobasilar stroke: recording of care times and factors related to early care

OBJETIVO: Conocer el estado de la cadena asistencial del ictus vertebrobasilar en el área de referencia de nuestro centro hospitalario, evaluando los factores relacionados con la activación del código ictus y tiempos de actuación. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, analítico y retrospectivo, realizado durante el período 2017-2018, que incluye a pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de ictus confirmado por neuroimagen. Se recogieron los datos de manera consecutiva durante su valoración en urgencias e ingreso en la unidad de ictus. Se evaluaron factores clínicos, síntomas y signos neurológicos en el momento del ingreso, detección de oclusión de gran vaso y variables relacionadas con la cadena asistencial: primera asistencia, activación de código ictus, tiempo inicio-puerta y tiempo puerta-imagen. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 954 pacientes, 233 con ictus vertebrobasilar. Los tiempos inicio-puerta y puerta-imagen registrados fueron significativamente mayores para el ictus de circulación posterior. Los factores relacionados con menor retraso en el tiempo inicio-puerta fueron: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale > 4, disartria y pérdida de fuerza. Se observó un menor retraso en el tiempo puerta-imagen para las variables: primera asistencia por servicio de emergencias médicas, disartria, pérdida de fuerza y presencia de más de un síntoma/signo. Fueron variables predictoras de activación del código ictus el antecedente de fumador, la clínica de disartria o pérdida de fuerza, y la presencia de más de una manifestación clínica. CONCLUSIONES: Existen dificultades en la fase prehospitalaria para identificar el ictus vertebrobasilar, lo cual origina retrasos en los tiempos de asistencia. La formación en conocimientos sobre la clínica de ictus vertebrobasilar podría permitir la optimización de esos tiempos

AIM: To determine the state of the vertebrobasilar stroke care chain in our hospital reference area by evaluating the factors related to stroke code activation and management times. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, analytical and retrospective study, carried out during the period 2017-2018, which includes patients admitted with a diagnosis of stroke confirmed by neuroimaging. Data were collected consecutively during assessment in the emergency department and admission to the stroke unit. Clinical factors, neurological signs and symptoms at the time of admission, detection of large-vessel occlusion and variables related to the care chain were evaluated, namely, basic medical attention, stroke code activation, onset-to-door time and door-to-imaging time. RESULTS: Altogether 954 patients were included in the study, 233 with vertebrobasilar stroke. The onset-to-door and door-to-imaging times registered were significantly higher for posterior circulation stroke. The factors related to a lower delay in onset-to-door time were: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale > 4, dysarthria and loss of strength. A shorter delay in door-to-imaging time was observed for the variables basic attention by medical emergency service, dysarthria, loss of strength and presence of more than one symptom/sign. Predictive variables for stroke code activation were a history of smoking, clinical signs of dysarthria or loss of strength, and the presence of more than one clinical manifestation. CONCLUSIONS: In the pre-hospital phase is is difficult to identify vertebrobasilar stroke, which causes delays in care times. Training in knowledge of the clinical features of vertebrobasilar stroke could allow these times to be optimized

Ganglionopatías o neuronopatías sensoriales paraneoplásicas y disinmunes. Importancia de una detección temprana / Paraneoplastic and disimmune sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies. Importance of an early detection

Introducción: Las ganglionopatías o neuronopatías sensoriales son enfermedades subagudas adquiridas del ganglio raquídeo dorsal, frecuentemente asociadas con trastornos disinmunes y paraneoplásicos, y agentes tóxicos. Los pacientes presentan alteración sensorial de distribución asimétrica y ataxia temprana. La identificación temprana es esencial, ya que pueden anunciar una neoplasia subyacente o una enfermedad autoinmune. Objetivo. Estudiar las asimetrías del potencial de acción nervioso sensitivo (SNAP) de pares de nervios y la relación de amplitud del potencial de acción sensitivomotor del nervio cubital (USMAR) con estudios electroneurofisiológicos seriados para el diagnóstico precoz de las ganglionopatías sensoriales. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudió retrospectivamente a siete pacientes con ganglionopatías sensoriales con estudios electroneurofisiológicos: cuatro casos paraneoplásicos con positividad para anticuerpos onconeuronales, uno asociado al síndrome de Sjögren y dos idiopáticos. Resultados: Los estudios electroneurofisiológicos mostraron afectación sensorial axonal en todos los casos, con asimetría mayor del 50% en la amplitud de SNAP en dos pares de nervios en cuatro casos y motor normal con USMAR < 0,71 en cinco casos. Los estudios electroneurofisiológicos seriados fueron esenciales en el diagnóstico de dos casos en el inicio de la enfermedad con síntomas sensoriales leves. Conclusiones: Este trabajo evidencia la importancia del estudio de asimetrías en la amplitud del SNAP de pares de nervios, la USMAR y los estudios electroneurofisiológicos seriados en el diagnóstico temprano de ganglionopatías sensoriales, para la consiguiente identificación de los anticuerpos disinmunes y onconeuronales con afectación del sistema nervioso periférico y la búsqueda de neoplasia oculta

Introduction: Sensory ganglionopathies or sensory neuronopathies are subacute acquired diseases of the dorsal root ganglion, frequently associated with disinmune, paraneoplastic and toxic agents. Patients present sensory alteration of asymmetric distribution and early ataxia. Early identification is essential, as they may announce an underlying neoplasia or autoimmune disease. Aim: To study asymmetries of the sensory nervous action potential (SNAP) of nerve pairs and the relationship amplitude of ulnar sensory/ulnar motor potential (USMAR) with serial electroneurophysiological studies for the early diagnosis of sensory ganglionopathies. Patients and methods: Six patients with sensory ganglionopathies were retrospectively studied with electroneurophysiological studies: four paraneoplastic cases with positivity for onconeuronal antibodies, one associated with Sjögren’s syndrome and two idiopathic. Results: Electroneurophysiological studies showed axonal sensory involvement in all cases, with asymmetry > 50% in SNAP amplitude in two pairs of nerves in four cases and normal motor with USMAR < 0.71 in five cases. Serial electroneurophysiological studies were essential in the diagnosis of two cases in the beginning of the disease with mild sensory symptoms. Conclusions: This work evidences the importance of the study of asymmetries in the amplitude of the SNAP of nerve pairs, the USMAR and the serial electroneurophysiological studies in the early diagnosis of sensory ganglionopathies, to further identification of the disinmune and onconeuronal associated antibodies with the nervous system affection to search for hidden neoplasia

Nutritional profile of multiple sclerosis / Perfil nutricional de la esclerosis múltiple

Background: multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Weight loss and malnutrition are prevalent in advanced stages of MS. Objective: the aim of this study was to define the nutritional profile in moderate-advanced MS (especially by documenting malnutrition) and its evolution. Methods: a case-control study was designed; cross-sectional observational study was complemented by a 12-month prospective longitudinal observational study of MS patients. Nutritional status was evaluated by collecting clinical, anthropometric, dietary and analytical data. Results: one hundred and twenty-four patients with MS and 62 controls were recruited; 8% of the patients were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Only MS patients with advanced disability needed nutritional support. During the follow-up, five patients died and four of them received nutritional support. Conclusions: malnutrition was unusual in our sample of patients with moderate-advanced MS. The need for nutritional support is related to dysphagia in patients with advanced neurological disability. The nutritional status of patients with moderate-advanced MS is defined by a tendency to overweight and by the decrease in basal energy expenditure and handgrip strength test in relation to the loss of muscle mass. The deficient intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber and vitamin D is exacerbated in the evolution of the disease

Introducción: la esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad inflamatoria y neurodegenerativa del sistema nervioso central. La pérdida de peso y la malnutrición son frecuentes en fases avanzadas de la EM. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue definir el perfil nutricional de la EM en estadio moderado-avanzado (especialmente, documentando la malnutrición) y su evolución a 12 meses. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos-controles; el estudio observacional transversal se complementó con un estudio observacional longitudinal prospectivo a 12 meses de los pacientes con EM. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante la recogida de datos clínicos, antropométricos, dietéticos y analíticos. Resultados: se incluyeron en el estudio 124 pacientes con EM y 62 controles. El 8% de los pacientes estaban desnutridos o en riesgo de desnutrición. Solo los pacientes con EM con discapacidad avanzada necesitaban soporte nutricional. Durante el seguimiento, cinco pacientes fallecieron y cuatro de ellos estaban recibiendo soporte nutricional. Conclusiones: la desnutrición es infrecuente en nuestra muestra de pacientes con EM moderada-avanzada. La necesidad de apoyo nutricional está relacionada con la disfagia en pacientes con discapacidad neurológica avanzada. El estado nutricional de los pacientes con EM moderada-avanzada se define por una tendencia al sobrepeso y por valores bajos en el gasto energético basal y en la dinamometría manual en relación con la pérdida de masa muscular. La ingesta deficiente de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, fibra y vitamina D se acentúa en la evolución de la enfermedad

Nutritional profile of multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Background: multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Weight loss and malnutrition are prevalent in advanced stages of MS. Objective: the aim of this study was to define the nutritional profile in moderate-advanced MS (especially by documenting malnutrition) and its evolution. Methods: a case-control study was designed; cross-sectional observational study was complemented by a 12-month prospective longitudinal observational study of MS patients. Nutritional status was evaluated by collecting clinical, anthropometric, dietary and analytical data. Results: one hundred and twenty-four patients with MS and 62 controls were recruited; 8% of the patients were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Only MS patients with advanced disability needed nutritional support. During the follow-up, five patients died and four of them received nutritional support. Conclusions: malnutrition was unusual in our sample of patients with moderate-advanced MS. The need for nutritional support is related to dysphagia in patients with advanced neurological disability. The nutritional status of patients with moderate-advanced MS is defined by a tendency to overweight and by the decrease in basal energy expenditure and handgrip strength test in relation to the loss of muscle mass. The deficient intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber and vitamin D is exacerbated in the evolution of the disease.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad inflamatoria y neurodegenerativa del sistema nervioso central. La pérdida de peso y la malnutrición son frecuentes en fases avanzadas de la EM. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue definir el perfil nutricional de la EM en estadio moderado-avanzado (especialmente, documentando la malnutrición) y su evolución a 12 meses. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos-controles; el estudio observacional transversal se complementó con un estudio observacional longitudinal prospectivo a 12 meses de los pacientes con EM. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante la recogida de datos clínicos, antropométricos, dietéticos y analíticos. Resultados: se incluyeron en el estudio 124 pacientes con EM y 62 controles. El 8% de los pacientes estaban desnutridos o en riesgo de desnutrición. Solo los pacientes con EM con discapacidad avanzada necesitaban soporte nutricional. Durante el seguimiento, cinco pacientes fallecieron y cuatro de ellos estaban recibiendo soporte nutricional. Conclusiones: la desnutrición es infrecuente en nuestra muestra de pacientes con EM moderada-avanzada. La necesidad de apoyo nutricional está relacionada con la disfagia en pacientes con discapacidad neurológica avanzada. El estado nutricional de los pacientes con EM moderada-avanzada se define por una tendencia al sobrepeso y por valores bajos en el gasto energético basal y en la dinamometría manual en relación con la pérdida de masa muscular. La ingesta deficiente de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, fibra y vitamina D se acentúa en la evolución de la enfermedad.

Síndrome del ocho y medio secundario a un ictus isquémico / Eight and a half syndrome caused by a stroke

No disponible

[Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome in carotid revascularisation surgery]. / Síndrome de hiperperfusión cerebral en la cirugía de revascularización carotídea.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a serious complication of carotid revascularisation surgery associated with both carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting. AIM: To review the literature published to date on CHS with the aim of updating the data available on its incidence, pathophysiology, clinical features, risk factors, diagnosis, management and treatment. DEVELOPMENT: Carotid revascularisation surgery entails a transient increase in cerebral blood flow, and if this increase is more than 100% of the pre-operative value, then hyperperfusion occurs. Two pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in increasing cerebral blood flow: alteration of the cerebrovascular autoregulation mechanisms and increased post-operative systolic arterial pressure. CHS consists in the clinical triad headache, convulsions and focal neurological deficit, associated with arterial hypertension and the absence of cerebral ischaemia. If left undiagnosed, as it progresses it will lead to brain oedema, brain or subarachnoid haemorrhage and, finally, death. The main risk factors for CHS are: diminished haemodynamic reserve, post-operative arterial hypertension and hyperperfusion, which remains for several hours after the carotid recanalisation. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and complementary tests, such as trans-cranial Doppler ultrasonography or single-photon emission tomography, which confirm the suspected hyperperfusion. The keystone on which treatment is based is prevention by strict control of the arterial pressure with drugs such as labetalol and clonidine. CONCLUSIONS: CHS is a serious, under-diagnosed complication of carotid revascularisation that the specialist must be aware of so that treatment can be established at an early stage, thereby reducing its high morbidity and mortality rate.