The correlation between intracranial arterial calcification and the outcome of reperfusion therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) is a risk factor of ischemic stroke. However, the relationship between IAC patterns and clinical outcome of ischemic stroke remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the correlation between IAC patterns and the effects of reperfusion therapy among acute stroke patients. METHODS: Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent reperfusion therapy were included. IAC was categorized as intimal or medial. Based on its involvement, IAC was further classified as diffuse or focal. Neurologic dysfunction was assessed by the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS). Clinical outcome including favorable neurologic outcome (FNO) and early neurologic deterioration (END) were assessed. RESULTS: Of 130 patients, 117 had IAC. Intimal IAC was identified in 74.6% of patients and medial IAC was present in 64.6% of patients. Diffuse IAC was present in 31.5% of patients. All diffuse IACs were medial pattern. Diffuse IAC was associated with higher baseline NIHSS (p = 0.011) and less FNO (p = 0.047). Compared with patients with focal or single diffuse IAC, patients with multiple diffuse IAC had higher baseline NIHSS (p = 0.002) and less FNO (p = 0.024). Multivariable linear regression (p < 0.001) and logistic regression (p = 0.027) suggested that multiple diffuse IAC was associated with higher baseline NIHSS and less FNO. No significant association was found between END and different IAC patterns. INTERPRETATION: Multiple diffuse medial IAC may predict severer neurologic dysfunction and less favorable neurologic outcome after reperfusion therapy in acute stroke patients.

Cerebral Augmentation Effect Induced by External Counterpulsation Is Not Related to Impaired Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation in Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose: Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is impaired after ischemic stroke. External counterpulsation (ECP) augments the cerebral blood flow of patients with ischemic stroke by elevation of blood pressure (BP). We aimed to investigate if cerebral augmentation effects during ECP were associated with impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation in patients after acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Forty patients with unilateral ischemic stroke and large artery atherosclerosis in the anterior circulation territory within 7 days from symptom onset and eighteen healthy controls were recruited. We monitored changes in mean flow velocity over both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) by transcranial Doppler (TCD) before, during, and immediately after ECP. Cerebral augmentation index was MCA mean flow velocity increase in percentage during ECP compared with baseline to evaluate the augmentation effects of ECP. Spontaneous arterial BP and cerebral blood flow velocity in both bilateral MCAs were recorded using a servo-controlled plethysmograph and TCD, respectively. Transfer function analysis was used to derive the autoregulatory parameters, including phase difference (PD), and gain. Results: The cerebral augmentation index in patients with stroke was significantly higher on both the ipsilateral and contralateral sides than that in controls, while the PD in patients with stroke was significantly lower on both sides than those in controls (all P < 0.05). The cerebral augmentation index did not correlate with PD and gain on either the ipsilateral or contralateral side of patients with stroke or in controls (all P > 0.05). The cerebral augmentation index of patients with stroke was significantly related to mean BP change on the ipsilateral side (R 2 = 0.108, P = 0.038). Conclusion: The degree of ECP-induced cerebral augmentation effects as measured by the cerebral augmentation index did not correlate with the magnitude of impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation.

Intracranial Arterial Calcification and Intracranial Atherosclerosis: Close but Different.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) may be present in the intimal or medial arterial layer. This study aimed to elucidate the link between the calcification and atherosclerotic disease in the intracranial vasculature. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were included. Bilateral intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery, M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, intracranial segment of the vertebral artery, and the basilar artery were visualized by the multi-detector computed tomography (CT) and vessel-wall magnetic resonance imaging (vwMRI) within 14 days after stroke onset. IAC was into the intimal or medial pattern. Subsequently, on the vwMRI, we assessed the luminal stenosis, eccentricity, plaque burden, and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) as markers of atherosclerosis at each IAC site. RESULTS: Among 69 patients with stroke, IAC was identified in 35% of (161/483) artery segments, of which 61.5% were predominantly intimal calcification and 38.5% were predominantly medial calcification. About 79.8% of intimal calcifications and 64.5% of medial calcifications co-existed with atherosclerotic plaques. Intimal calcification was associated with luminal stenosis (p = 0.003) caused by atherosclerotic lesions. Compared with the medial IAC, intimal IAC was more often accompanied by eccentric plaques (p = 0.02), larger plaque burden (p = 0.001), and IPH (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our multimodal imaging-based comparison study on intracranial arteriosclerosis demonstrated that intimal IAC, compared with medial IAC, was more often accompanied by the luminal stenosis, larger plaque burden, eccentricity, and IPH, providing strong evidence for clinical evaluation on the mechanism, risk, and prognosis of ischemic stroke.

Understanding the Clinical Implications of Intracranial Arterial Calcification Using Brain CT and Vessel Wall Imaging.

Background and Purpose: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) has been the focus of much attention by clinicians and researchers as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis, but correlations of IAC patterns (intimal or medial) with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and plaque stability are still a matter of debate. Our study aimed to assess the associations of IAC patterns identified on computed tomography (CT) with the presence of plaque detected on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and plaque stability. Materials and Methods: Patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack and intracranial artery stenosis were recruited. IAC was detected and localized (intima or media) on non-contrast CT images. Intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were identified using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and matched to corresponding CT images. Associations between IAC patterns and culprit atherosclerotic plaques were assessed by using multivariate regression. Results: Seventy-five patients (mean age, 63.4 ± 11.6 years; males, 46) were included. Two hundred and twenty-one segments with IAC were identified on CT in 66 patients, including 86 (38.9%) predominantly intimal calcifications and 135 (61.1%) predominantly medial calcifications. A total of 72.0% of intimal calcifications coexisted with atherosclerotic plaques, whereas only 10.2% of medial calcifications coexisted with plaques. Intimal calcification was more commonly shown in non-culprit plaques than culprit plaques (25.9 vs. 9.4%, P = 0.008). The multivariate mixed logistic regression adjusted for the degree of stenosis showed that intimal calcification was significantly associated with non-culprit plaques (OR, 2.971; 95% CI, 1.036-8.517; P = 0.043). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intimal calcification may indicate the existence of a stable form of atherosclerotic plaque, but plaques can exist in the absence of intimal calcification especially in the middle cerebral artery.

Dabigatran or Aspirin in East Asian Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: RE-SPECT ESUS Subgroup Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We assessed the outcomes of dabigatran versus aspirin in a prespecified subgroup analysis of East Asian patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source in the RE-SPECT ESUS trial (Randomized, Double-Blind, Evaluation in Secondary Stroke Prevention Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Thrombin Inhibitor Dabigatran Etexilate Versus Acetylsalicylic Acid in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source). METHODS: Patients with a recent embolic stroke of undetermined source were randomized to dabigatran (150 or 110 mg BID) or aspirin (100 mg QD). The primary efficacy outcome was recurrent stroke; the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. The East Asia cohort was compared with patients from all other countries (non-East Asia cohort). RESULTS: Overall, 988 of 5390 patients (18%) were randomized in East Asia. During a median follow-up of 18.8 months, there was no statistically significant difference in recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.41-1.03]) or major bleeding (hazard ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.57-1.91]) in East Asian patients receiving dabigatran versus aspirin. Death from any cause occurred more often in the dabigatran versus the aspirin group (hazard ratio, 3.98 [95% CI, 1.32-12.01]). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment effect of dabigatran versus aspirin was consistent between cohorts, with no apparent superiority for dabigatran over aspirin in preventing recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02239120.

Intracranial Arterial Calcification Relates to Long-Term Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Post-stroke Mortality.

Background: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) is highly prevalent in ischemic stroke patients. However, data on the association of IAC with stroke recurrence and mortality remains limited. We examined the effect of IAC on the long-term recurrence of stroke and the risk of post-stroke mortality. Methods: Using a prospective stroke registry, we recruited 694 patients (mean age 71.6 ± 12.4; male sex 50.3%) since December 2004. IAC was visualized using the computed tomography exam that was made at hospital admission and was quantified with the Agatston method. All patients were regularly followed up till July 2016. The impacts of IAC on stroke recurrence and mortality were assessed using Cox-regression models with adjustments for age, sex, and relevant cardiovascular risk factors. Results: During a median follow-up period of 8.8 years, 156 patients (22.5%) suffered a recurrent stroke and 84 died (12.1%). We found that a higher IAC Agatston score related to a higher risk of stroke recurrence (HR per 1-SD increase in IAC: 1.30; 95% CI, 1.08-1.56, p = 0.005) and a higher risk of post-stroke mortality (HR per 1-SD increase, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06-1.96, p = 0.019). After investigating etiology-specific risks of stroke-recurrence, we found that a higher IAC Agatston score specifically associated with small-vessel occlusive stroke. Conclusions: IAC is a strong risk factor for recurrent stroke and post-stroke mortality. Among stroke subtypes, IAC relates to higher risk of stroke recurrence among patients with small-vessel disease, which indicates chronic calcification detected in large cerebral arteries may have potential effects on the cerebrovascular beds extending to small vessels.

Beat-to-beat blood pressure variability and heart rate variability in relation to autonomic dysregulation in patients with acute mild-moderate ischemic stroke.

Autonomic dysregulation is common in post-stroke patients. We aimed to correlate beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) with Ewing's test classification. We enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke. Autonomic function was assessed by Ewing battery and dichotomized into minor or significant group. Beat-to-beat blood pressure and heart rate were monitored for calculating the frequency components of BPV and HRV using power spectral analysis [very low frequency (VLF; <0.04 Hz); low frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15 Hz); high frequency (HF; 0.15-0.40 Hz); power spectral density (PSD; <0.40 Hz) and LF/HF ratio]. In minor autonomic dysregulation group, BPV and HRV were similar with those in controls (all p > 0.05). However, LF/HF ratio in BPV and HRV significantly reduced in significant autonomic dysregulation group compared with that in controls (all p < 0.05). LF BPV in significant group was lower than that in controls. In patients, LF and LF/HF BPVs were positively correlated with parasympathetic parameters, while VLF HRV was negatively correlated with sympathetic parameters and the others were positively correlated with parasympathetic parameters. With cut-off values of 1.80 for LF/HF diastolic BP, 0.96 for the LF/HF systolic BP and 1.80 for LF/HF HRV, the sensitivity (53.80%, 69.20% and 53.80%, respectively) and specificity (92.50%, 80.00% and 92.50%, respectively) of these parameters were observed to predict autonomic dysregulation. Autonomic dysregulation is associated with lower variation of blood pressure and heart rate in acute ischemic stroke. Non-invasive monitoring of beat-to-beat BPV and HRV may be an alternative to autonomic dysregulation measure.

Postmortem Study Exploring Distribution and Patterns of Intracranial Artery Calcification.

Background and Purpose- Intracranial artery calcification detected by computed tomography is associated with ischemic stroke as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis. However, little is known about its histopathology. This study aimed to explore the intracranial calcification patterns and their associations with atherosclerotic plaques. Methods- We recruited 32 adult autopsy cases to assess the calcification patterns and distributions in the middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery, and basilar artery. The relationships of calcification patterns with plaque phenotype and luminal stenosis were evaluated. The calcification patterns on computed tomography were correlated with that on histology. Results- Visible calcifications were detected within 37 (39%) segments, including 25 segments with intimal calcification, 6 segments with internal elastic lamina calcification, 3 segments with adventitial calcification, and 3 segments with concurrent calcification. Calcification occurred more often in the vertebral artery (51%), followed by the middle cerebral artery (35%) and basilar artery (14%; P<0.01 for vertebral artery versus basilar artery). Internal elastic lamina calcification was predominantly detected in the vertebral artery (7/8, 88%). All of the 27 (100%) intimal calcifications were present in the progressive atherosclerotic lesions ( P<0.001), whereas only 3/8 (38%) internal elastic lamina calcifications and 4/6 (67%) adventitial calcifications were associated with progressive plaques. Arteries with intimal calcification had more severe luminal stenosis than those without (46% versus 21%; P<0.001). Conclusions- Our histological findings indicate that the presence of intracranial artery calcification has 3 patterns, including intimal, internal elastic lamina, and adventitial calcifications. But only intimal calcification is related with progressive atherosclerotic lesions, indicative of a proxy for intracranial atherosclerosis.

Validity and reliability of two alternate versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Hong Kong version) for screening of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Repeated testing using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) increases risks for practice effects which may bias measurements of cognitive change. The objective of this study is to develop two alternate versions of the MoCA (Hong Kong version; HK-MoCA) and to investigate the validity and reliability of the alternate versions in patients with DSM-5 Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (Mild NCD) and cognitively healthy controls. METHODS: Concurrent validity and inter-scale agreement were examined by Pearson correlation of the total scores between the original and alternate versions and the Bland-Altman Method. Criterion validity of the two alternate versions in differentiating patients with Mild NCD was tested using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. One-month test-retest and inter-rater reliability were examined in 20 participants. Internal consistency of the alternate versions was measured by the Cronbach's α. RESULTS: 30 controls (age 73.4 [4.5] years, 60% female) and 30 patients (age 75.4 [5.5] years, 73% female) with Mild NCD were recruited. Both alternate versions significantly correlated with the original version (r = 0.79-0.87, p<0.001). Mean differences of 0.17 and -0.40 points were found between the total scores of the alternate with the original versions with a consistent level of agreement observed throughout the range of cognitive abilities. Both alternate versions significantly differentiated patients with Mild NCD from healthy controls (area under ROC 0.922 and 0.724, p<0.001) and showed good one-month test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation [ICC] = 0.92 and 0.82) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.99 and 0.87) and high internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.79 and 0.75). CONCLUSION: The two alternate versions of the HK-MoCA are useful for Mild NCD screening.

External Counterpulsation Increases Beat-to-Beat Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a noninvasive method used to augment cerebral perfusion in ischemic stroke. However, the response of beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with ischemic stroke during ECP remains unknown. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with unilateral ischemic stroke at the subacute stage and 14 healthy controls were recruited. Beat-to-beat heart rate before, during, and after ECP was monitored. The frequency components of HRV were calculated using power spectral analysis. Very low frequency (VLF; <.04 Hz), low frequency (LF; .04-.15 Hz), high frequency (HF; .15-.40 Hz), total power spectral density (TP; <.40 Hz), and LF/HF ratio were calculated. RESULTS: In stroke patients, although there were no statistical differences in all of the HRV components, the HRV at VLF showed a trend of increase during ECP compared with baseline in the left-sided stroke patients (P = .083). After ECP, the HRV at LF and TP remained higher than baseline in the right-sided stroke patients (LF, 209.4 versus 117.9, P = .050; TP, 1275.6 versus 390.2, P = .017, respectively). Besides, the HRV at TP also increased after ECP compared with baseline in the left-sided stroke patients (563.0 versus 298.3, P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of the side of the ischemia, patients showed an increased beat-to-beat HRV after ECP. Additionally, sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac modulations were increased after ECP in patients after right-sided subacute stroke.

The potential synergism by combining external counterpulsation with intermittent theta burst stimulation in post-stroke motor function recovery.

Upper limb weakness and incoordination is a common disability following ischemic stroke. Previous studies have showed that the single application of external counterpulsation (ECP) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) can effectively enhance the cortical motor excitability and facilitate recovery. However, it remains uncertain if sequential application of these therapies would further augment the recovery. We hypothesize a synergistic effect of ECP followed by iTBS to upper limb function may happen through improvements in both cerebral perfusion and neuron excitability.

External Counterpulsation Reduces Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure Variability When Augmenting Blood Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow in Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a noninvasive method used to enhance cerebral perfusion by elevating the blood pressure in ischemic stroke. However, the response of the beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) in ischemic stroke patients during ECP remains unknown. METHODS: We enrolled recent ischemic stroke patients and healthy controls. Changes in the blood flow velocities in bilateral middle cerebral arteries and the continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure before, during, and after ECP were monitored. Power spectral analysis revealed that the BPV included oscillations at very low frequency (VLF; <0.04 Hz), low frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15 Hz), and high frequency (HF; 0.15-0.40 Hz), and the total power spectral density (TP; <0.40 Hz) and LF/HF ratio were calculated. RESULTS: We found that ECP significantly increased the systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both stroke patients and controls. ECP decreased markedly the systolic and diastolic BPVs at VLF and LF and the TP, and the diastolic BPV at HF when compared with baseline. The decreases in diastolic and systolic BPV reached 37.56% and 23.20%, respectively, at VLF, 21.15% and 12.19% at LF, 8.76% and 16.59% at HF, and 31.92% and 23.62% for the total TP in stroke patients, which did not differ from those in healthy controls. The change in flow velocity on the contralateral side was positively correlated with the total TP systolic BPV change induced by ECP (r=0.312, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: ECP reduces the beat-to-beat BPV when increasing the blood pressure and cerebral blood flow velocity in ischemic stroke patients. ECP might be able to improve the clinical outcome by decreasing the beat-to-beat BPV in stroke patients, and this should be explored further in future studies.

Combined external counterpulsation and endovascular stenting treatment for symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis: two case reports.

Symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stenosis has a poor prognosis. Intravascular stents provide a new therapeutic approach, but the long-term outcome of stenting compared with medical outcome is controversial. External counterpulsation (ECP) is a noninvasive method to improve perfusion of vital organs. We report two cases of this combination with ECP treatment in addition to receiving endovascular stenting. Two patients experienced posterior ischemic stroke. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a severe basilar or vertebral artery stenosis. Computed tomographic perfusion revealed significantly decreased perfusion of posterior artery territories. Both of them underwent combined ECP treatment and endovascular stenting of the stenosed basilar or vertebral artery, without recurrent stroke within 30 days after stenting. The two patients were independent (modified Rankin scale ≤2) at the 12-month follow-up time. Combined ECP treatment and endovascular stent placement may be effective and safe for patients with symptomatic VBA stenosis who failed aggressive medical treatment.

A retrospective pilot study of correlation of cerebral augmentation effects of external counterpulsation with functional outcome after acute ischaemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a non-invasive method used to augment cerebral blood flow of patients with ischaemic stroke via induced hypertension. We aimed to explore the correlation between the cerebral blood flow augmentation effects induced by ECP and clinical outcome after acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed our ECP registry of patients with ischaemic stroke who were enrolled within 7 days after stroke onset. Bilateral middle cerebral arteries of patients were monitored using transcranial Doppler (TCD). Flow velocity changes before, during and after ECP were, respectively, recorded for 3 min. The cerebral augmentation index (CAI) was the increase in percentage of the middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity during ECP compared with baseline. TCD data were analysed based on the side ipsilateral or contralateral to the infarct. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (good outcome: mRS 0∼2; poor outcome: mRS 3∼6) was evaluated 6 months after the index stroke. RESULTS: 72 patients were included (mean age, 63.8±10.7 years; 87.5% males). At month 6 after stroke onset, univariate analysis showed that the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at recruitment was significantly higher and ECP therapy duration was longer in the poor outcome group, while the ipsilateral CAI was significantly lower in the good outcome group than that in the poor outcome group (3.71±4.94 vs 7.73±7.66, p=0.044). Multivariate logistic regression showed that ipsilateral CAI was independently correlated with an unfavourable functional outcome after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: The higher degree of cerebral blood flow velocity augmentation on the side ipsilateral to the infarct induced by ECP is independently correlated with an unfavourable functional outcome after acute ischaemic stroke.

Validity and reliability of the neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire version in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack having cognitive impairment.

This study examined the validity and reliability of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire version (NPI-Q), a proxy-reported format of the interview-based NPI, in assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in 173 patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) having cognitive impairment. The NPI-Q was validated against the NPI as a gold standard. Informants took approximately 7 minutes to complete the NPI-Q. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a bias of 0.7 points, with 95% limits of agreement between -8.6 and 10.0 between the total symptom scores of the NPI and NPI-Q. The NPI-Q correlated significantly with the NPI in individual and total symptom scores and caregiver distress scores. In predicting presence of symptoms on the NPI, the NPI-Q yielded, on average, sensitivity of 74.1% and specificity of 79.5%. On the NPI-Q, informants tended to overreport symptoms in patients with less severe symptoms but underreport with increasing symptom severity. Internal consistency of the NPI-Q was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.756). One-week test-retest reliability of the NPI-Q was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = .990). The NPI-Q is a valid and reliable instrument for screening neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with stroke and TIA.

Angioplasty and stenting of intracranial atherosclerosis with the Wingspan system: 1-year clinical and radiological outcome in a single Asian center.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the 1-year clinical and angiographic outcome of angioplasty and stenting of intracranial atherosclerosis using Wingspan and Gateway system. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with symptomatic lesions were treated and followed clinically and angiographically by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for 1 year. The two primary endpoints were recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke and in-stent restenosis (ISR) at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included periprocedural death or stroke and all strokes at 1 year. Potential factors correlated with ISR were studied using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Treatment was attempted in 65 patients and successfully completed in 61 (93.8%). Fifty-nine patients (44 men, 15 women) aged 62.86 ± 11.38 years with 66 stenoses (average degree of stenosis 71.78 ± 11.23%) underwent clinical and DSA follow-up at 1 year. There were 66 stenotic lesions. ISR occurred in 11 of the 66 lesions (16.7%). Luminal gain occurred in 32 of the lesions (48.5%), an unchanged lumen in 4 (6%) and luminal loss in 30 (45.4%). The periprocedural stroke or death rate was 6.1% (4/65), including three hemorrhagic and one ischemic stroke, all of which occurred at the corresponding site and resulted in death. There were no interval strokes between the periprocedural time and the 1-year follow-up. The occurrence of ISR was correlated with the degree of stenosis before treatment and was not correlated with patient age or sex, vessel diameter, location of stenosis or failure to control risk factors for atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: One-year clinical and angiographic outcomes of angioplasty and stenting are promising for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis.

Learning curve of Wingspan stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis: single-center experience of 95 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic brain hemorrhage was a significant cause of periprocedural stroke or death following stenting in the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis trial, which called into question the safety of Wingspan stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis. This study analyzed the role of a learning curve in the safety and outcome of Wingspan stenting from the experience of 95 consecutive patients at a single center. METHODS: In this prospective study the endpoints were major stroke or death (modified Rankin Scale score >3) within 30 days, other neurological complications, technical procedural problems, technical success in completion of angioplasty and stenting and recurrent ischemic stroke in the corresponding vascular territory after 30 days. Data splitting into quarters was used for learning curve analysis. RESULTS: The periprocedural major stroke or death rate was 4.2% (4/95), minor stroke rate was 5.3% (5/95), total 9.5% (9/95). The technical procedural problem rate was 11.6% (11/95) and the technical success rate was 93.7% (89/95). The 89 patients were followed for 38.9±22.7 months (median 40.8, range 0.2-72, 3463 patient-months) after stenting. The risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in the corresponding vascular territory was 0.7% per patient per year (2/3463 patient-months). Guidewire- or angioplasty-related hemorrhage was the major cause of periprocedural major stroke or death (3/4, 75%) and did not occur in the last quarter. Periprocedural intracerebral hemorrhage was uncommon and perforator stroke did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a learning curve for mastering the safety precautions of Wingspan stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis.

Case report: a 70-year-old man with undiagnosed factor VII deficiency presented with acute ischemic stroke.

Factor VII deficiency is an uncommon coagulation disorder that patient usually presents with bleeding diathesis, but thrombotic event has been reported. We report a case of unusual clinical presentation in a patient with undiagnosed factor VII deficiency who presented with acute ischemic stroke.

Predictors of good functional outcome in counterpulsation-treated recent ischaemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVES: External counterpulsation (ECP) is a non-invasive method being investigated for ischaemic stroke. We aimed to explore predictors of good functional outcome for ECP-treated ischaemic stroke patients who completed a minimum of 10 sessions. METHODS: We analysed our ECP registry of ischaemic stroke patients with cerebral large artery stenosis who underwent ECP therapy at the Prince of Wales Hospital from 2004 to 2010. We included 155 patients who completed at least 10 sessions of ECP and had 3-month follow-up data as well as 52 medical controls. Functional outcomes were dichotomised into good outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2) and bad outcome (mRS 3-6). We compared the differences in two groups in terms of demographics, medical history and parameters of ECP treatment. RESULTS: At 3 months after stroke, 70.5% of patients who finished the whole course of ECP had a good outcome (only 46.5% in the unfinished group and 38.5% in the medical group). Among all 207 recruited cases, 119 (57.5%) patients had a good outcome at 3 months after stroke. Compared with the bad outcome group, patients in the good outcome group were younger and had a lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and longer ECP therapy duration. Multivariate logistic regression showed that ECP duration (OR 1.032), baseline NIHSS (OR 0.734) and age (OR 0.961) were independent predictors for a favourable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Duration of ECP therapy is first found to be an important predictor for good outcome of ECP-treated ischaemic stroke patients, in addition to the well-known prognostic factors such as age and NIHSS.

Multiple atherosclerosis-related biomarkers associated with short- and long-term mortality after stroke.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationships of biomarkers of various pathophysiologic pathways including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipocalin-2 (LCN2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) with mortality in stroke patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: hs-CRP, LCN2 and MPO concentrations in 92 patients were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. MMP9 mRNA concentrations were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Twelve patients (13.0%) died at 6 months and 34 patients (37.0%) died at 5 years. The independent predictors for 6-month mortality were hs-CRP (adjusted OR=16.0) and LCN2 (adjusted OR=16.9), while for 5-year mortality was hs-CRP (adjusted OR=5.56). For patients with hs-CRP >3.4 mg/L, an increase in LCN2 was associated with 2.5-fold higher 6-month mortality, while an increase in normalized MMP9 mRNA was associated with 5.8-fold higher 6-month and 1.5-fold higher 5-year mortality. CONCLUSION: hs-CRP was the most significant independent predictor of both short- and long-term mortality after stroke, with LCN2 and MMP9 mRNA each adding further to the risk stratification.