Precision Workforce Management for Radiographers: Monitoring and Managing Competences with an Automatic Tool.

Optimizing work shifts in healthcare is crucial for maintaining high standards of service delivery and fostering professional development. This study delves into the emerging field of skill-oriented work shift optimization, focusing specifically on radiographers within the healthcare sector. Through the development of Skills Retention Monitoring (SRH), this research aims to enhance skill monitoring, workload management, and organizational performance. In this study, several key highlights emerged: (a) Introduction of the SRH tool: The SRH tool represents a resource-efficient solution that harnesses existing software infrastructure. A preliminary version, focusing on the radiographers' professional profile, was released, and after several months of use, it demonstrated effectiveness in optimizing work based on competency monitoring. (b) The SRH tool has thus demonstrated the capacity to generate actionable insights in the organizational context of radiographers. By generating weekly reports, the SRH tool streamlines activity management and optimizes resource allocation within healthcare settings. (c) Application of a Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) tool for pre-release feedback during a training event. (d) Strategic importance of a maintenance and monitoring plan: This plan, rooted in a continuous quality improvement approach and key performance indicators, ensures the sustained effectiveness of the SRH tool. (e) Strategic importance of a transfer plan: Involving professional associations and employing targeted questionnaires, this plan ensures the customization of the tool from the perspective of each profession involved. This is a crucial point, as it will enable the release of tool versions tailored to various professions operating within the hospital sector. As a side result, the tool could allow for a more tailored and personalized medicine both by connecting the insights gathered through the SRH tool with the right competencies for healthcare professionals and with individual patient data. This integration could lead to better-informed decision making, optimizing treatment strategies based on both patient needs and the specific expertise of the healthcare provider. Future directions include deploying the SRH tool within the Pisa hospital network and exploring integration with AI algorithms for further optimization. Overall, this research contributes to advancing work shift optimization strategies and promoting excellence in healthcare service delivery.

Reperfusion therapies in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: data on safety and effectiveness from a multi-centre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT) are currently considered best practices in acute stroke patients. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of reperfusion therapies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are conflicting as regards haemorrhagic transformation, mortality, and functional outcome. This study sought to investigate for any differences, in terms of safety and effectiveness, between AF patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) treated and untreated with reperfusion therapies. METHODS: Data from two multicenter cohort studies (RAF and RAF-NOACs) on consecutive patients with AF and AIS were analyzed to compare patients treated and not treated with reperfusion therapies (IVT and/or EVT). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for outcome events: 90-day good functional outcome and mortality. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis compared treated and untreated patients. RESULTS: Overall, 441 (25.4%) were included in the reperfusion-treated group and 1,295 (74.6%) in the untreated group. The multivariable model suggested that reperfusion therapies were significantly associated with good functional outcome. Rates of mortality and disability were higher in patients not treated, especially in the case of higher NIHSS scores. In the PSM comparison, 173/250 patients (69.2%) who had received reperfusion therapies had good functional outcome at 90 days, compared to 146/250 (58.4%) untreated patients (p = 0.009, OR: 1.60, 95% CI:1.11-2.31). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AF and AIS treated with reperfusion therapies had a significantly higher rate of good functional outcome and lower rates of mortality compared to those patients with AF and AIS who had undergone conservative treatment.

Effect of an educational intervention to increase stroke awareness among Italian high school students: A prospective study in Tuscany.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke in young people shares traditional modifiable risk factors with older groups, and greatly affects quality of life. However, evidence on the effectiveness of educational interventions in young populations, aiming at spreading stroke knowledge and enhancing prevention, is still scarce. We evaluated baseline knowledge of stroke and possible improvements after an educational intervention among Italian high school students, also considering differences related to sex and type of school. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a mixed educational strategy, a prospective evaluation of stroke knowledge was performed in five humanities and sciences (lyceums) and five vocational high schools of Tuscany (students of the 12th and 13th grade). A baseline assessment with a structured questionnaire (21 questions) was followed by a standardized oral presentation, using audiovisual materials. After 3 months, the same questionnaire was re-administered to evaluate the long-term impact of the educational intervention. RESULTS: Overall, 573 students (50.8% males; age range, 17-19 years) were enrolled; 288 (50.3%) were from lyceums and 285 (49.7%) from vocational schools. Follow-up participation was 97.2%. Baseline performances were comparable between groups for most variables examined. At 3 months, all groups showed a significant improvement from baseline regarding reaction to a stroke event, identification of stroke risk factors, such as smoking (from 62.9% to 83.7%; p < 0.001) and alcohol abuse (from 49.6% to 67.2%; p < 0.001), and symptoms. Knowledge of the existence of stroke units and thrombolysis increased from 25.4% to 60.7% (p < 0.001) and from 35.8% to 84.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our educational intervention improved stroke awareness in high school students. The effects persisted after 3 months. Improved knowledge in young populations may reduce stroke burden in adult life, increase timely access to therapies, and spread knowledge across families.

Stroke with large vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation: IV thrombolysis plus thrombectomy versus IV thrombolysis alone.

Efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for stroke with posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) is still under debate. We aimed to compare the outcomes of stroke patients with posterior circulation LVO treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (< 4.5 h after symptom onset) plus MT < 6 h after symptom onset with those treated with IVT alone (< 4.5 h after symptom onset). Patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS) and in the Italian centers included in the SITS-ISTR were analysed. We identified 409 IRETAS patients treated with IVT plus MT and 384 SITS-ISTR patients treated with IVT alone. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of sICH (ECASS II) compared with IVT alone (3.1 vs 1.9%; OR 3.984, 95% CI 1.014-15.815), while the two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 (64.3 vs 74.1%; OR 0.829, 95% CI 0.524-1.311). In 389 patients with isolated basilar artery (BA) occlusion, IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of any ICH compared with IVT alone (9.4 vs 7.4%; OR 4.131, 95% CI 1.215-14.040), while two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 and sICH per ECASS II definition. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate mRS score ≤ 2 (69.1 vs 52.1%; OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.064-6.811) and lower rate of death (13.8 vs 27.1%; OR 0.299, 95% CI 0.095-0.942) in patients with distal-segment BA occlusion, while two treatments did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3 and sICH per ECASS II definition. IVT plus MT was significantly associated with lower rate of mRS score ≤ 3 (37.1 vs 53.3%; OR 0.137, 0.009-0.987), mRS score ≤ 1 (22.9 vs 53.3%; OR 0.066, 95% CI 0.006-0.764), mRS score ≤ 2 (34.3 vs 53.3%; OR 0.102, 95% CI 0.011-0.935), and higher rate of death (51.4 vs 40%; OR 16.244, 1.395-89.209) in patients with proximal-segment BA occlusion. Compared with IVT alone, IVT plus MT was significantly associated with higher rate of sICH per ECASS II definition in patients with stroke and posterior circulation LVO, while two treatment groups did not differ significantly in 3-month mRS score ≤ 3. IVT plus MT was associated with lower rate of mRS score ≤ 3 compared with IVT alone in patients with proximal-segment BA occlusion, whereas no significant difference was found between the two treatments in primary endpoints in patients isolated BA occlusion and in the other subgroups based on site occlusion.

Carotid artery stenting during endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with tandem occlusion: the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

PURPOSE: The management of tandem extracranial internal carotid artery and intracranial large vessel occlusion during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been under-investigated. We sought to investigate outcomes of AIS patients with tandem occlusion (TO) treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared to those not treated with CAS (no-CAS) during EVT. METHODS: We performed a cohort study using data from AIS patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke. Outcomes were 3 months' mortality, functional outcome, complete and successful recanalization, any intracranial hemorrhage, parenchymal hematoma and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Among 466 AIS patients with TO, CAS patients were 122 and no-CAS patients were 226 (118 excluded). After adjustment for unbalanced variables, CAS was associated with a lower rate of 3 months' mortality (OR 0.407, 95% CI 0.171-0.969, p = 0.042). After adjustment for pre-defined variables, CAS was associated with a lower rate of 3 months' mortality (aOR 0.430, 95% CI 0.187-0.989, p = 0.047) and a higher rate of complete recanalization (aOR 1.986, 95% CI 1.121-3.518, p = 0.019), successful recanalization (aOR 2.433, 95% CI 1.263-4.686, p = 0.008) and parenchymal hematoma (aOR 2.876, 95% CI 1.173-7.050, p = 0.021). CAS was associated with lower 3 months mortality (OR 0.373, 95% CI 0.141-0.982, p = 0.046) and higher rates of successful recanalization (OR 2.082, 95% CI 1.099-3.942, p = 0.024) after adjustment for variables associated with 3 months' mortality and successful recanalization, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among AIS patients with TO, CAS during EVT was associated with a higher rate of successful reperfusion and a lower rate of 3 months' mortality.

Detecting the vulnerable carotid plaque: the Carotid Artery Multimodality imaging Prognostic study design.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery disease is highly prevalent and a main cause of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. There is a paucity of information on predictors of serious vascular events. Besides percentage diameter stenosis, international guidelines also recommend the evaluation of qualitative characteristics of carotid artery disease as a guide to treatment, but with no agreement on which qualitative features to assess. This inadequate knowledge leads to a poor ability to identify patients at risk, dispersion of medical resources, and unproven use of expensive and resource-consuming techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and computed tomography. OBJECTIVES: The Carotid Artery Multimodality imaging Prognostic (CAMP) study will: prospectively determine the best predictors of silent and overt ischemic stroke and vascular dementia in patients with asymptomatic subcritical carotid artery disease by identifying the noninvasive diagnostic features of the 'vulnerable carotid plaque'; assess whether 'smart' use of low-cost diagnostic methods such as ultrasound-based evaluations may yield at least the same level of prospective information as more expensive techniques. STUDY DESIGN: We will compare the prognostic/predictive value of all proposed techniques with regard to silent or clinically manifest ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. The study will include ≥300 patients with asymptomatic, unilateral, intermediate degree (40-60% diameter) common or internal carotid artery stenosis detected at carotid ultrasound, with a 2-year follow-up. The study design has been registered on Clinicaltrial.gov on December 17, 2020 (ID number NCT04679727).

Brain MRI in Monogenic Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases: A Practical Handbook.

Monogenic cerebral small vessel diseases are a topic of growing interest, as several genes responsible have been recently described, and new sequencing techniques such as Next-generation sequencing are available. Brain imaging is significant for the detection of these diseases. Since it is often performed at an initial stage, an MRI is a key to selecting patients for genetic testing and for interpreting nextgeneration sequencing reports. In addition, neuroimaging can be helpful in describing the underlying pathological mechanisms involved in cerebral small vessel disease. In this review, we aim to provide neurologists and stroke physicians with an up-to-date overview of the current neuroimaging knowledge on monogenic small vessel diseases.

Arterial intracranial thrombosis as the first manifestation of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT): a case report.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a severe case of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine leading to massive ischemic stroke. METHODS: A 42-year-old woman developed acute left hemiparesis (NIHSS 12) 9 days after the first vaccine dose. RESULTS: The blood tests revealed low platelets (70 103/µL) and severe increment of D-dimer (70,745 ng/mL FEU). Brain non-contrast computed tomography and multiphasic CT angiography demonstrated a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The patient was treated with primary thrombectomy, steroids, immunoglobulin, and fondaparinux. Despite the treatment, the neurological status deteriorated and underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy. She was transferred to the rehab's unit 52 days after the onset. DISCUSSION: Healthcare providers should be aware of the possibility of ischemic stroke as a manifestation of VITT. Awareness on this very rare and possibly fatal complication should be reinforced on both the vaccine recipients and general practitioners.

Risk Factors for Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention.

[Figure: see text].

Longitudinal changes in MoCA performances in patients with mild cognitive impairment and small vessel disease. Results from the VMCI-Tuscany Study.

Objectives: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive screening test largely employed in vascular cognitive impairment, but there are no data about MoCA longitudinal changes in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). We aimed to describe changes in MoCA performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and SVD during a 2-year follow-up, and to evaluate their association with transition to major neurocognitive disorder (NCD). Materials and Methods: Within the prospective observational VMCI-Tuscany Study, patients with MCI and SVD underwent a comprehensive clinical, neuropsychological, and functional evaluation at baseline, and after 1 and 2 years. Results: Among the 138 patients (mean age 74.4 ± 6.9 years; males: 57%) who completed the study follow-up, 44 (32%) received a major NCD diagnosis. Baseline MoCA scores (mean±SD) were lower in major NCD patients (20.5 ± 5) than in reverter/stable MCI (22.2 ± 4.3), and the difference approached the statistical threshold of significance (p=.051). The total cohort presented a decrease in MoCA score (mean±SD) of -1.3 ± 4.2 points (-2.6 ± 4.7 in major NCD patients, -0.7 ± 3.9 in reverter/stable MCI). A multivariate logistic model on the predictors of transition from MCI to major NCD, showed MoCA approaching the statistical significance (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.00-1.19, p=.049). Discussion: In our sample of MCI patients with SVD, longitudinal changes in MoCA performances were consistent with an expected more pronounced deterioration in patients who received a diagnosis of major NCD. MoCA sensitivity to change and predictive utility need to be further explored in VCI studies based on larger samples and longer follow-up periods.

Thrombolysis in elderly stroke patients in Italy (TESPI) trial and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Since its approval, the use of alteplase had been limited to patients aged ≤80 years. AIMS: TESPI trial had been designed to evaluate whether alteplase treatment within 3 h in patients with acute ischemic stroke aged >80 years resulted in favorable benefit/risk ratio compared with standard care. The meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was updated to put findings in the context of all available evidence. METHODS: TESPI was a multicenter, open-label with blinded outcome evaluation, randomized, controlled trial. Main clinical endpoints were 90-day favorable functional outcome (mRS score 0-2) and mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The trial was prematurely terminated for ethical reasons after publication of IST-3 trial which provided evidence of treatment benefit in elderly. RESULTS: Of the planned 600 patients, 191 (88 assigned to alteplase) were enrolled. Overall, 24/83 (28.9%) alteplase patients had a favorable outcome compared to 22/95 (23.2%) controls (non-significant absolute difference of 5.7% for alteplase; OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.69-2.64, P = 0.381). Rates of death were non-significantly lower in the alteplase patients (18.1% vs. 26.5%); rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were similar between the two groups (5.9% vs. 5.1%). The updated meta-analysis showed consistent results with prior estimates and add weights. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of alteplase observed in this interrupted trial did not reach statistical significance, probably for the small numbers, but are consistent with and add weight to the sum total of the randomized evidence demonstrating that alteplase is beneficial in patients with acute ischemic stroke aged over 80 years, particularly if given within 3 h.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion with Patent Intracranial Arteries : The Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

PURPOSE: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed. Patients with intracranial carotid artery occlusion (infraclinoid and supraclinoid) with or without cervical artery occlusion but with patent intracranial arteries were included. The 3­month functional independence, mortality, successful reperfusion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were evaluated. RESULTS: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries was diagnosed in 387 out of 4940 (7.8%) patients. The median age was 74 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 18. Functional independence was achieved in 130 (34%) patients, successful reperfusion in 289 (75%) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 33 (9%), whereas mortality occurred in 111 (29%) patients. In univariate analysis functional independence was associated with lower age, lower NIHSS at presentation, higher rate of successful reperfusion and lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable regression analysis found age (odds ratio, OR:1.03; P = 0.006), NIHSS at presentation (OR: 1.07; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.60; P = 0.002), successful reperfusion (OR:0.20; P < 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 4.17; P < 0.001) as the best independent predictors of outcome. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a not negligible rate of intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries, presenting mostly as severe stroke, with an acceptable rate of 3­month functional independence. Age, NIHSS at presentation and successful reperfusion were the best independent predictors of outcome.

Direct thrombectomy for stroke in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)-ineligible patients undergoing direct thrombectomy tended to have poorer functional outcome as compared with IVT-eligible patients undergoing bridging therapy. We aimed to assess radiological and functional outcomes in large vessel occlusion-related stroke patients receiving direct thrombectomy in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT and vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT. METHODS: A cohort study on prospectively collected data from 2282 patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke cohort for treatment with direct thrombectomy (n = 486, absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone; n = 384, absolute in combination with relative exclusion criteria for IVT; n = 777, relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone; n = 635, non-exclusion criteria for IVT). RESULTS: After adjustment for unbalanced variables (model 1), ORs for 3-month death was higher in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone) (1.595, 95% CI 1.042-2.440) and in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT) (1.235, 95% CI 1.014-1.504). After adjustment for predefined variables (model 2: age, sex, pre-stroke mRS ≤ 1, NIHSS, occlusion in the anterior circulation, onset-to-groin time, and procedure time), ORs for 3-month death was higher in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone) (1.235, 95% CI 1.014-1.504) and in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT) (1.246, 95% CI 1.039-1.495). No significant difference was found between the groups as regards any type of intracerebral hemorrhage and parenchymal hematoma within 24 h, successful and complete recanalization after procedure, and modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at 3 months. After adjustment for predefined variables of model 2, ORs for death were higher in the presence of recent administration of IV heparin (OR: 2.077), platelet count < 100,000/mm3 (OR: 4.798), bacterial endocarditis (OR: 15.069), neoplasm with increased hemorrhagic risk (OR: 6.046), and severe liver disease (OR: 6.124). CONCLUSIONS: Radiological outcomes were similar after direct thrombectomy in patients with absolute, relative, and non- exclusion criteria for IVT, while an increase of fatal outcome was observed in the presence of some absolute exclusion criterion for IVT.

Evolution, Predictors, and Neurocognitive Effects of Silent Cerebral Embolism During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics, predictors, evolution, and neurocognitive effects of silent cerebral ischemic lesions (SCILs). BACKGROUND: Most patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) develop SCILs detectable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The natural history and clinical relevance of SCILs are not well established. METHODS: Cerebral MRI was performed within 7 days before TAVR to assess baseline status and age-related white matter change score. MRI was repeated post-operatively to assess the occurrence, location, number, and dimensions of SCILs. Patients developing SCILs underwent a third MRI examination at 3- to 5-month follow-up. A neurocognitive evaluation was performed before TAVR, at discharge, and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients enrolled, 96 underwent post-procedural MRI; SCILs were observed in 76% of patients, distributed in all vascular territories, with a median number of 2 lesions, a median diameter of 4.5 mm, and a median total volume of 140 mm3. Independent predictors of SCIL occurrence were higher baseline age-related white matter change score and the use of self-expanding or mechanically expanded bioprostheses. Among 47 patients who underwent follow-up MRI, only 26.7% of post-procedural SCILs evolved into gliotic scar. SCIL occurrence was associated with a more pronounced transient neurocognitive decline early after TAVR and with lower recovery at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SCILs occur in the vast majority of patients undergoing TAVR and are predicted by more diffuse white matter damage at baseline and by the use of non-balloon-expandable prostheses. Although most SCILs disappear within months, their occurrence has a limited but significant impact on neurocognitive function.

Small vessel disease and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction after ischaemic stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Although pathogenesis of small vessel disease is poorly understood, increasing evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction may have a relevant role in development and progression of small vessel disease. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the associations between imaging signs of small vessel disease and blood biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction at two different time points in a population of ischaemic stroke patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis, we analysed blood levels of von Willebrand factor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Three reviewers independently assessed small vessel disease features using computed tomography. At baseline and 90 days after the index stroke, we tested the associations between single and combined small vessel disease features and levels of blood biomarkers using linear regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoke. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were available for the analysis. Mean age (±SD) was 69 (±13) years, 154 (59%) patients were male. We did not find any relation between small vessel disease and endothelial dysfunction at baseline. At 90 days, leukoaraiosis was independently associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ß = 0.21; p = 0.016) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ß = 0.22; p = 0.009), and lacunes were associated with vascular endothelial growth factor levels (ß = 0.21; p = 0.009) whereas global small vessel disease burden was associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (ß = 0.26; p = 0.006). DISCUSSION: Leukoaraiosis and lacunes were associated with endothelial dysfunction, which could play a key role in pathogenesis of small vessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: Small vessel disease features and total burden were associated with endothelial dysfunction 90 days after the stroke, whereas there was no relation during the acute phase. Our results suggest that endothelial dysfunction, particularly vascular endothelial growth factor, is involved in pathological process of small vessel disease.

Causes and Risk Factors of Cerebral Ischemic Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention.

Background and Purpose- Despite treatment with oral anticoagulants, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) may experience ischemic cerebrovascular events. The aims of this case-control study in patients with AF were to identify the pathogenesis of and the risk factors for cerebrovascular ischemic events occurring during non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) therapy for stroke prevention. Methods- Cases were consecutive patients with AF who had acute cerebrovascular ischemic events during NOAC treatment. Controls were consecutive patients with AF who did not have cerebrovascular events during NOACs treatment. Results- Overall, 713 cases (641 ischemic strokes and 72 transient ischemic attacks; median age, 80.0 years; interquartile range, 12; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission, 6.0; interquartile range, 10) and 700 controls (median age, 72.0 years; interquartile range, 8) were included in the study. Recurrent stroke was classified as cardioembolic in 455 cases (63.9%) according to the A-S-C-O-D (A, atherosclerosis; S, small vessel disease; C, cardiac pathology; O, other causes; D, dissection) classification. On multivariable analysis, off-label low dose of NOACs (odds ratio [OR], 3.18; 95% CI, 1.95-5.85), atrial enlargement (OR, 6.64; 95% CI, 4.63-9.52), hyperlipidemia (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.83-3.16), and CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR, 1.72 for each point increase; 95% CI, 1.58-1.88) were associated with ischemic events. Among the CHA2DS2-VASc components, age was older and presence of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack more common in patients who had acute cerebrovascular ischemic events. Paroxysmal AF was inversely associated with ischemic events (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.33-0.61). Conclusions- In patients with AF treated with NOACs who had a cerebrovascular event, mostly but not exclusively of cardioembolic pathogenesis, off-label low dose, atrial enlargement, hyperlipidemia, and high CHA2DS2-VASc score were associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular events.

Objective assessment of blinking and facial expressions in Parkinson's disease using a vertical electro-oculogram and facial surface electromyography.

OBJECTIVE: Hypomimia is a common and early symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), which reduces the ability of PD patients to manifest emotions. Currently, it is visually evaluated by the neurologist during neurological examinations for PD diagnosis, as described in task 3.2 of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Since such an evaluation is semi-quantitative and affected by inter-variability, this paper aims to measure the physiological parameters related to eye blink and facial expressions extracted from a vertical electro-oculogram (VEOG) and facial surface electromyography (fsEMG) to differentiate PD patients from healthy control subjects (HCs). APPROACH: The spontaneous eye blink rate-minute (sEBR), its maximum amplitude (BMP), and facial cutaneous muscle activity were measured in 24 PD patients and 24 HCs while the subjects looked at a visual-tester composed of three main parts: static vision, dynamic vision and reading silently. Specificity and sensitivity for each parameter were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: The VEOG and the fsEMG allowed the identification of some parameters related to eye blink and facial expressions (i.e. sEBR, BMP, frontal and peribuccal muscular activities), being able to distinguish between PD patients and HCs with high sensitivity and specificity. SIGNIFICANCE: The demonstration that the combination of parameters related to eye blink and facial expressions can discriminate (with high accuracy) between PD patients versus HCs, thus resulting in a useful tool to support the neurologist in objective assessment of hypomimia for improving PD diagnosis.

Small Vessel Disease Is Associated with Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-4 After Ischaemic Stroke.

Small vessel disease (SVD) is frequent in aging and stroke patients. Inflammation and remodeling of extracellular matrix have been suggested as concurrent mechanisms of SVD. We investigated the relationship between imaging features of SVD and circulating metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in patients with ischaemic stroke. In patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis, we took blood samples before intravenous thrombolysis and 90 days after the acute stroke and analysed levels of MMPs and TIMPs. We assessed leukoaraiosis, number of lacunes and brain atrophy on pre-treatment CT scan and graded global SVD burden combining such features. We investigated associations between single features, global SVD and MMPs and TIMPs at baseline and at follow-up, retaining univariate statistically significant associations in multivariate linear regression analysis and adjusting for clinical confounders. A total of 255 patients [mean (±SD) = 68.6 (± 12.7) years, 154 (59%) males] were included, 107 (42%) had no signs of SVD; 47 (19%) had from moderate to severe SVD burden. A total of 107 (42%) patients had no signs of SVD; 47 (19%) had from moderate to severe SVD burden. After adjustment, only TIMP-4 proved associations with SVD features. Brain atrophy was associated with baseline TIMP-4 (ß = 0.20;p = 0.019) and leukoaraiosis with 90 days TIMP-4 (ß = 0.19; p = 0.013). Global SVD score was not associated with baseline TIMP-4 levels (ß = 0.10; p = 0.072), whereas was associated with 90 days TIMP-4 levels (ß = 0.21; p = 0.003). Total SVD burden was associated with higher TIMP-4 levels 90 days after stroke, whereas was not during the acute phase. Our results support a biological relationship between SVD grade and TIMP-4.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging with encoding task in patients with mild cognitive impairment and different severity of leukoaraiosis.

Leukoaraiosis is one of the main contributors to mild cognitive impairment due to vascular damage (vascular MCI, VMCI), whose pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated yet. We aimed to shed light on such issue using functional MRI (fMRI). Sixteen patients with VMCI were enrolled and compared with twenty-five patients with MCI but without significant vascular damage (non-vascular MCI, NVMCI) and with fifteen healthy controls (HC). They all underwent fMRI with incidental verbal learning paradigm, using a 3T scanner. Differently from cases with NVMCI (versus HC), VMCI patients presented a higher BOLD activation in the right parieto-occipital cortex and a lower activation in the left superior and middle frontal gyri, anterior cingulum and in left fronto-opercular area when compared to HC. Cortical activation evaluated by fMRI may reflect specific patterns of damage and attempt of compensation in patients with MCI and different severity of leukoaraiosis.