Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in patients with tandem lesion in the anterior circulation: analysis from the METRICS study.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to anterior circulation tandem lesion (TL) remains a technical and clinical challenge for endovascular treatment (EVT). Conflicting results from observational studies and missing evidence from the randomized trials led us to report a recent real-world multicenter clinical experience and evaluate possible predictors of good outcome after EVT. METHODS: We analyzed all AIS patients with TL enrolled in the prospective national study METRICS (Mechanical Thrombectomy Quality Indicators Study in Czech Stroke Centers). A good 3-month clinical outcome was scored as 0-2 points in modified Rankin Scale (mRS), achieved recanalization using the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) according to the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) criteria. RESULTS: Of 1178 patients enrolled in METRICS, 194 (19.2%) (59.8% males, mean age 68.7±11.5 years) were treated for TL. They did not differ in mRS 0-2 (48.7% vs 46.7%; p=0.616), mortality (17.3% vs 22.7%; p=0.103) and sICH (4.7% vs 5.1%; p=0.809) from those with single occlusion (SO). More TL patients with prior intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) reached TICI 3 (70.3% vs 50.8%; p=0.012) and mRS 0-2 (55.4% vs 34.4%; p=0.007) than those without IVT. No difference was found in the rate of sICH (6.2% vs 1.6%; p=0.276). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed prior IVT as a predictor of mRS 0-2 after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 3.818, 95% CI 1.614 to 9.030, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Patients with TL did not differ from those with SO in outcomes after EVT. TL patients with prior IVT had more complete recanalization and mRS 0-2 and IVT was found to be a predictor of good outcome after EVT.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Quality Indicators Study in Czech Stroke Centers: Results of the METRICS Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rigorous and regular evaluation of defined quality indicators is crucial for further improvement of both technical and clinical results after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Following the recent international multi-society consensus quality indicators, we aimed to assess trend in these indicators on national level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective multicenter study (METRICS) was conducted in Czech Republic (CR) in year 2019. All participating centers collected technical and clinical data including defined quality indicators and results were subsequently compared with those from year 2016. RESULTS: In the 2019, 1375 MT were performed in the CR and 1178 (86%) patients (50.3% males, mean age 70.5 ± 13.0 years) were analyzed. Recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 83.7% of patients and 46.2% of patients had good 3-month clinical outcome. Following time intervals were shortened in comparison to 2016: "hospital arrival - GP" (77 vs. 53 min; p<0.0001), "hospital arrival - maximal achieved recanalization" (122 vs. 93 min; p<0.0001), and "stroke onset - maximal achieved recanalization" (240 vs. 229 min; p p<0.0001). More patients with tandem occlusion were treated in 2019 (7.8 vs. 16.5%; p<0.0001) and more secondary transports were in 2019 (31.3 vs. 37.8%; p=0.002). No difference was found in 3-month clinical outcome and in the rate of periprocedural complications. Results of the METRICS study met all criteria of multi-society consensus quality indicators. CONCLUSION: Nationwide comparison between 2016 and 2019 showed improvement in the key time intervals, but without better overall clinical outcomes after MT.

Computed Tomography (CT)-Navigated Translumbar Hemodialysis Catheters: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND In dialysis patients with exhausted usual central venous access sites, the translumbar hemodialysis catheter (TLC) provides a viable option for dialysis access. The technical success of catheter insertion, associated complications, and long-term patency of TLC were evaluated in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 37 patients with occluded central thoracic veins in whom 39 TLC implantation procedures were performed and 196 patients with internal jugular vein hemodialysis catheters (JVC). TLC implantation was performed as a hybrid procedure with computed tomography (CT)-navigated translumbar inferior vena cava cannulation and subsequent fluoroscopy-guided hemodialysis catheter placement. RESULTS The rates of technical success of the implantations and minor periprocedural complications were 97.4% and 10.3% in the TLC group and 98.6% and 4.2% in the JVC group, respectively. The median follow-up in the TLC and JVC groups was 673 days and 310 days, respectively. The primary-assisted patency at the 1-year and 3-year follow-up was 88.7% and 72.0% in the TLC group and 81.6% and 67.0% in the JVC group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The incidence rate of infection-related and patency-related complications calculated for 1000 catheter-days was 0.15 and 0.11 in the TLC group and 0.33 and 0.25 in the JVC group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The CT-guided implantation of the TLC is a useful option to create dialysis access with a low complication rate and satisfactory long-term patency in patients without usual venous access.

Comparison of Mechanical Thrombectomy with Contact Aspiration, Stent Retriever, and Combined Procedures in Patients with Large-Vessel Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND We investigated the properties and effects of 5 mechanical thrombectomy procedures in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The relationships between the type of procedure, the time required, the success of recanalization, and the clinical outcome were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective comparative analysis included 500 patients with acute ischemic stroke and large-vessel occlusion. We compared contact aspiration thrombectomy (ADAPT, n=100), stent retriever first line (SRFL, n=196), the Solumbra technique (n=64), mechanical thrombectomy plus stent implantation (n=81), and a combined procedure (n=59). RESULTS ADAPT provided shorter procedure (P<0.001) and recanalization times (P<0.001) than the other techniques. Better clinical outcome was achieved for ischemia in the anterior circulation than ischemia in the posterior fossa (P<0.001). Compared to the other techniques, patients treated with ADAPT procedure had increased odds of achieving better mTICI scores (P=0.002) and clinical outcome (NIHSS) after 7 days (P=0.003); patients treated with SRFL had increased odds of achieving better long-term clinical status (3M-mRS=0-2; P=0.040). Patients with SRFL and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) had increased odds of better clinical status (3M-mRS=0-2; P=0.031) and decreased odds of death (P=0.005) compared to patients with SRFL without IVT. The other treatment approaches had no additional effect of IVT. Patients with SRFL with a mothership transfer had increased odds of achieving favorable clinical outcome (3M-mRS) compared to SRFL with the drip-and-ship transfer paradigm (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that ADAPT and SRFL provided significantly better outcomes compared to the other examined techniques. A mothership transfer and IVT administration contributed to the success of the SRFL approach.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Czech Republic: Technical Results from the Year 2016.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Experienced multidisciplinary stroke team and well-organized hospital management are considered necessary to achieve good results after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed the technical results of MT performed in the Czech Republic in the year 2016 to provide relevant data for further quality improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All centers performing MT in the CR were called for detailed technical and clinical data from year 2016, which were anonymously analyzed and relevant technical key time intervals were compared. Clinical outcomes were assessed according to the HERMES meta-analysis. RESULTS: In the 2016, 1053 MTs were performed in the CR. Of 15 dedicated centers, the data from 12 centers and from 886 (84%) patients (49.2% males, mean age 69.8 ± 12.3 years) were analyzed. The overall median of time from hospital arrival to groin puncture (GP) was 77 min with a range from 40 to 109 min among individual hospitals, from GP to first passage of stent retriever 20 (15-40) min and from GP to maximal reached recanalization 42 (33-80) min. The median of recanalization time was 240 (219-320) min. The recanalization (TICI 2b-3) was achieved in 81.7% of patients, 44.1% of patients had a good 3-month clinical outcome and 6.3% suffered from symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Peri-procedural complications were recorded in 89 (10%) patients. CONCLUSION: Despite achieved good overall results, a great variability in some of the analyzed key time intervals among individual centers performing MT warrants further quality improvement.

The Role of von Willebrand Factor, ADAMTS13, and Cerebral Artery Thrombus Composition in Patient Outcome Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to investigate the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF), the vWF-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13, the composition of thrombus, and patient outcome following mechanical cerebral artery thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective cohort study included 131 patients with ischemic stroke (<6 hours) with or without intravenous thrombolysis. Interventional procedure parameters, hemocoagulation markers, vWF, ADAMTS13, and histological examination of the extracted thrombi were performed. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was used on hospital admission, after 24 hours, at day 7; the three-month modified Rankin Scale score was used. RESULTS Mechanical thrombectomy resulted in a Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) score of 2-3, with recanalization in 89% of patients. Intravenous thrombolysis was used in 101 (78%). Patients with and without intravenous thrombolysis therapy had a good clinical outcome (score 0-2) in 47% of cases (P=0.459) using the three-month modified Rankin Scale. Patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥15 had significantly increased vWF levels (P=0.003), and a significantly increased vWF: ADAMTS13 ratio (P=0.038) on hospital admission. Significant correlation coefficients were found for plasma vWF and thrombo-embolus vWF (r=0.32), platelet (r=0.24), and fibrin (r=0.26) levels. In the removed thrombus, vWF levels were significantly correlated with platelet count (r=0.53), CD31-positive cells (r=0.38), and fibrin (r=0.48). CONCLUSIONS In patients with acute ischemic stroke, mechanical cerebral artery thrombectomy resulted in a good clinical outcome in 47% of cases, with and without intravenous thrombolysis therapy.

Transporters involved in pH and K+ homeostasis affect pollen wall formation, male fertility, and embryo development.

Flowering plant genomes encode multiple cation/H+ exchangers (CHXs) whose functions are largely unknown. AtCHX17, AtCHX18, and AtCHX19 are membrane transporters that modulate K+ and pH homeostasis and are localized in the dynamic endomembrane system. Loss of function reduced seed set, but the particular phase(s) of reproduction affected was not determined. Pollen tube growth and ovule targeting of chx17chx18chx19 mutant pollen appeared normal, but reciprocal cross experiments indicate a largely male defect. Although triple mutant pollen tubes reach ovules of a wild-type pistil and a synergid cell degenerated, half of those ovules were unfertilized or showed fertilization of the egg or central cell, but not both female gametes. Fertility could be partially compromised by impaired pollen tube and/or sperm function as CHX19 and CHX18 are expressed in the pollen tube and sperm cell, respectively. When fertilization was successful in self-pollinated mutants, early embryo formation was retarded compared with embryos from wild-type ovules receiving mutant pollen. Thus CHX17 and CHX18 proteins may promote embryo development possibly through the endosperm where these genes are expressed. The reticulate pattern of the pollen wall was disorganized in triple mutants, indicating perturbation of wall formation during male gametophyte development. As pH and cation homeostasis mediated by AtCHX17 affect membrane trafficking and cargo delivery, these results suggest that male fertility, sperm function, and embryo development are dependent on proper cargo sorting and secretion that remodel cell walls, plasma membranes, and extracellular factors.

A single reference measurement can predict liver tumor motion during respiration.

AIM: To evaluate liver tumor motion and how well reference measurement predicts motion during treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 patients with colorectal cancer that had metastasized to the liver who were treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. An online respiratory tumor tracking system was used. Tumor motion amplitudes in the superior-inferior (SI), latero-lateral (LL), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were collected to generate patient-specific margins. Reference margins were generated as the mean motion and 95th percentile of motion from measurements recorded for different lengths of time (1, 3, and 5 min). We analyzed the predictability of tumor motion in each axis, based on the reference measurement and intra-/interfraction motions. RESULTS: About 96,000 amplitudes were analyzed. The mean tumor motions were 9.9 ± 4.2 mm, 2.6 ± 0.8 mm, and 4.5 ± 1.8 mm in the SI, LL, and AP directions, respectively. The intrafraction variations were 3.5 ± 1.8 mm, 0.63 ± 0.35 mm, and 1.4 ± 0.65 mm for the SI, LL, and AP directions, respectively. The interfraction motion variations were 1.32 ± 0.79 mm, 0.31 ± 0.23 mm, and 0.68 ± 0.62 mm for the SI, LL, and AP directions, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficients for margins based on the reference measurement (mean motion or 95th percentile) and margins covering 95% of the motion during the whole treatment were 0.8-0.91, 0.57-0.7, and 0.77-0.82 in the SI, LL, and AP directions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver tumor motion in the SI direction can be adequately represented by the mean tumor motion amplitude generated from a single 1 min reference measurement. Longer reference measurements did not improve results for patients who were well-educated about the importance of regular breathing. Although the study was based on tumor tracking data, the results are useful for ITV delineation when tumor tracking is not available.

Protein architecture and core residues in unwound α-helices provide insights to the transport function of plant AtCHX17.

Using Arabidopsis thaliana AtCHX17 as an example, we combine structural modeling and mutagenesis to provide insights on its protein architecture and transport function which is poorly characterized. This approach is based on the observation that protein structures are significantly more conserved in evolution than linear sequences, and mechanistic similarities among diverse transporters are emerging. Two homology models of AtCHX17 were obtained that show a protein fold similar to known structures of bacterial Na(+)/H(+) antiporters, EcNhaA and TtNapA. The distinct secondary and tertiary structure models highlighted residues at positions potentially important for CHX17 activity. Mutagenesis showed that asparagine-N200 and aspartate-D201 inside transmembrane5 (TM5), and lysine-K355 inside TM10 are critical for AtCHX17 activity. We reveal previously unrecognized threonine-T170 and lysine-K383 as key residues at unwound regions in the middle of TM4 and TM11 α-helices, respectively. Mutation of glutamate-E111 located near the membrane surface inhibited AtCHX17 activity, suggesting a role in pH sensing. The long carboxylic tail of unknown purpose has an alternating ß-sheet and α-helix secondary structure that is conserved in prokaryote universal stress proteins. These results support the overall architecture of AtCHX17 and identify D201, N200 and novel residues T170 and K383 at the functional core which likely participates in ion recognition, coordination and/or translocation, similar to characterized cation/H(+) exchangers. The core of AtCHX17 models according to EcNhaA and TtNapA templates faces inward and outward, respectively, which may reflect two conformational states of the alternating access transport mode for proteins belonging to the plant CHX family.

[The rational diagnostic of cholangiocarcinoma]. / Racionální diagnostika cholangiokarcinomu.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare malignant tumour arising from cholangiocytes, and its prognosis is usually unfavourable, mostly as a result of late diagnosis of the tumour. The current incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in the Czech Republic is 1.4/100,000 inhabitants per year; in less than 30 % of patients with CC, one of the known risk factors can be identified, most frequently, primary sclerosing cholangitis. Only patients with early diagnosed and surgically amenable cholangiocarcinoma are likely to have a longer survival time; in their case, survival for more than five years has been achieved in 20 % to 40 %. From the perspective of the need for early diagnosis of CC, a significant part is played by imaging and histopathologic evaluation; the early diagnostic significance of oncomarkers is limited. The rational early diagnosis of CC consists in effective use of differentiated advantages of different imaging modalities - MRI with DSA appears to be the optimal method, endosonography is a sensitive method for the identification of malignancy in the hepatic hilum or distal common bile duct, MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) is used to display pathological changes in the biliary tree, ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) allows material removal for histopathological examination. Other new approaches are also beneficial, such as IDUS - intraductal ultrasonography of biliary tract or SPY-GLASS, enabling examination of the bile ducts by direct view with the possibility of taking targeted biopsies. Sensitivity and specificity of histology and cytology can be increased by using the molecular cytogenetic FISH method, i.e. fluorescence in situ by hybridization, with a specificity of 97 %.

The analysis of respiration-induced pancreatic tumor motion based on reference measurement.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate pancreatic tumor motion and its dynamics during respiration. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study includes 20 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who were treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. An online respiratory tumor tracking system was used. Periodical maximum and minimum tumor positions with respiration in superior-inferior (SI), latero-lateral (LL), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were collected for tumor motion evaluation. The predictability of tumor motion in each axis, based on reference measurement, was analyzed. RESULTS: The use of a 20-mm and 5-mm constant margins for SI and LL/AP directions, avoids target underdosage, without the need for reference measurement. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated only a modest correlation between reference and subsequent measurements in the SI direction (r = 0.50) and no correlation in LL (r = 0.17) and AP (r = 0.35) directions. When margins based on the reference measurement of respiratory tumor motion are used, then 30% of patients have a risk zone of underdosage >3 mm (in average). ITV (internal target volume) optimization based on the reference measurement is possible, but allows only modest margin reduction (approximately from 20 mm to 16-17 mm) in SI direction and no reduction in AP and LL directions. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of 20-mm margin in the SI direction and 5-mm margins in the LL and AP directions to account for respiratory motion without reference measurement. Single measurement of tumor motion allows only modest margin reduction. Further margin reduction is only possible when there is on-line tumor motion control according to internal markers.

K+ transporter AtCHX17 with its hydrophilic C tail localizes to membranes of the secretory/endocytic system: role in reproduction and seed set.

The importance of sorting proteins and wall materials to their destination is critical for plant growth and development, though the machinery orchestrating membrane trafficking is poorly understood. Transporters that alter the environment across endomembrane compartments are thought to be important players. Using Escherichia coli and yeast, we previously showed that several Arabidopsis Cation/H(+) eXchanger (AtCHX) members were K(+) transporters with a role in pH homeostasis, though their subcellular location and biological roles in plants are unclear. Co-expression of markers with CHX16, CHX17, CHX18, or CHX19 tagged with a fluorescent protein indicated these transporters associated with plasma membrane (PM) and post-Golgi compartments. Under its native promoter, AtCHX17(1-820)-GFP localized to prevacuolar compartment (PVC) and to PM in roots. Brefeldin A diminished AtCHX17-GFP fluorescence at PM, whereas wortmannin caused formation of GFP-labeled ring-like structures, suggesting AtCHX17 trafficked among PVC, vacuole and PM. AtCHX17(1-472) lacking its carboxylic tail did not associate with PVC or PM in plant cells. Single chx17 mutant or higher-order mutants showed normal root growth and vegetative development. However, quadruple (chx16chx17chx18chx19) mutants were reduced in frequency and produced 50%-70% fewer seeds, indicating overlapping roles of several AtCHX17-related transporters in reproduction and/or seed development. Together, our results suggest that successful reproduction and seed development depend on the ability to regulate cation and pH homeostasis by AtCHX17-like transporters on membranes that traffic in the endocytic and/or secretory pathways.

A controlled trial of revascularization in acute stroke.

PURPOSE: To compare safety and utility of intraarterial revascularization with use of stents to no revascularization in patients who either failed to respond to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or have contraindications to IVT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case-control study was approved by local ethics committees; all patients signed informed consent. One hundred thirty-one patients (74 men; mean age, 65.9 years ± 12.3; range, 25-86 years) with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion were enrolled; 75 underwent IVT. No further recanalization therapy was performed in 26 (35%) IVT-treated patients with MCA recanalization (group 1). Patients with IVT failure after 60 minutes were allocated to endovascular treatment (group 2A) or no further therapy (group 2B). Patients with contraindication to IVT were allocated to endovascular treatment within 8 hours since AIS onset (group 3A) or to no recanalization therapy (group 3B). Neurologic deficit at admission, MCA recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), and 3-month clinical outcome were evaluated. Favorable clinical outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale score 0-2 at 3 months after stroke onset. Two-sided Mann-Whitney U test, independent samples t test, Fisher exact test, multivariate logistic regression analysis of baseline variables, and complete MCA recanalization for the prediction of favorable clinical outcome were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission was 13.5, 16.0, 15.5, 15.0, and 16.0 in groups 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, respectively (P > .05); SICH occurred in one of 26 (3.8%), one of 23 (4.3%), one of 26 (3.8%), one of 31 (3.2%), and one of 25 (4.0%) patients, respectively (P > .05). MCA recanalization after endovascular treatment was achieved in 50 of 54 (92.6%) patients. Favorable outcome was significantly different between groups 2A and 2B (10 of 23 [43.5%] and four of 26 [15.4%], respectively; P = .03) and groups 3A and 3B (14 of 31 [45.2%] and two of 25 [8.0%], respectively; P = .004) and was dependent on MCA recanalization (odds ratio, 5.55; P = .006). CONCLUSION: In this controlled trial, intraarterial revascularization with stents was an effective and safe-effective treatment option in patients with acute MCA occlusion with contraindication to IVT or after IVT failure.

Decompressive surgery for malignant supratentorial infarction remains underutilized after guideline publication.

Decompressive surgery <48 h from stroke onset reduces the prevalence of mortality and morbidity from malignant supratentorial infarction. We investigated if utilization of decompressive surgery changed in the Czech Republic (CZ) after the release of new guidelines regarding treatment of malignant brain infarction. The volume of decompressive surgery in 2009 in all centers in the CZ was assessed using the same methodology as in 2006. All neurosurgery departments in the CZ were asked to complete a questionnaire and asked to identify all cases of decompressive surgery for malignant brain infarction through a combination of discharge codes for "brain infarction" and "decompressive surgery" from electronic hospital charts. Data for 56 patients were obtained from 15 of the 16 neurosurgery departments in the CZ. The average age was 53 ± 13; number of males 20; median time to surgery was 48 h (range 24-62); median NIHSS score was 25 (IQR, 20-30); median infarct volume was 300 cm(3) [interquartile (IQR, 250-350)]; mean shift on CT was 10.6 ± 3.6 mm and size of hemicraniectomy was 125 cm(2) (IQR, 110-154). A favorable outcome was achieved in 45% of the patients. The number of procedures increased from 39 in 2,006 to 2,056 in 2009. Based on data from one stroke center, 10% suffered from malignant supratentorial infarction and 2.3% met the criteria for decompressive surgery. In 2009, as compared to 2006, the volume of decompressive surgery carried out moderately increased. However, procedures remained underutilized because only ~10% of those who needed decompressive surgery underwent surgery.

Nationwide study of decompressive surgery for malignant supratentorial infarction in the Czech Republic: utilization and outcome predictors. Clinical article.

OBJECT: Decompressive surgery within 48 hours in patients younger than 60 years of age reduces mortality and morbidity from malignant supratentorial infarction. The goal of this study was to characterize the utilization of decompressive surgery in the Czech Republic in 2006. METHODS: This nationwide study was undertaken from September to December 2007 using a questionnaire sent to all neurosurgery departments in the Czech Republic. Diagnosis of brain infarction and decompressive surgery was based on discharge codes. Patient data were retrieved from hospital charts. Favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score ≤4 on the day of discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 15 of the 16 neurosurgery departments in the Czech Republic (94%) and from 39 patients (11 female [28%]). The average patient age was 52 +/-14 years (11 patients > 60), median time to surgery was 48 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 26-67 hours; 15 patients > 48 hours), median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 22 (IQR 16-30), median infarct volume was 341 cm³ (IQR 243-375 cm³), mean shift from the midline was 9.9 +/- 4.1 mm, median duration of hospitalization was 19 days (IQR 13-30 days), and mean bone flap surface area was 75 cm² (IQR 70-97 cm²). A favorable outcome was achieved in 19 patients (49%). The median number of procedures per site in 2006 was 1.5 (range 0-13 procedures). Five sites (31%) serving one-third of the entire population did not perform any decompressive surgery. No variable was a significant predictor of outcome in a multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: In 2006 decompressive surgery was underutilized and occurred late in the clinical course in the Czech Republic. Revision of national guidelines is necessary to incorporate the latest data and ensure that the patients who can benefit most receive treatment.

Transcranial duplex sonography and CT angiography in acute stroke patients.

Acute occlusion of cervical or intracranial arteries is the most common cause of ischemic stroke (IS). The aims of the current study were to compare the occurrence of acute pathologic findings in intracranial arteries using transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed within 3 hours of IS onset and to assess the correlation between the vascular findings on admission and the patient's clinical state on admission and 3 months after the IS. Forty-five consecutive patients with an acute IS were included in the prospective study during an 18-month period. All patients underwent CTA and TCCS within the first 3 hours of symptom onset. A high rate of pathologic findings in the intracranial circulation was found (70.9% in CTA and 77.4% in TCCS examinations). The CTA and TCCS findings with respect to the intracranial arteries were consistent in 87.1% of cases (Cohen's kappa, .797). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values achieved with TCCS in patients with middle cerebral artery main stem occlusion were 92.3%, 94.4%, and 92.3% and 94.4%, respectively. There was no correlation between the patient's clinical status on admission and 3 months after the onset of the IS and the CTA or the TCCS findings (P > .1 in all cases). A substantial agreement was found between TCCS and CTA in the detection of pathologic findings in intracranial vessels in acute stroke patients. Both methods can be used for this purpose.