Inhibidores de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina tipo 9 (iPCSK9) en la prevención secundaria de episodios vasculares en pacientes con ictus isquémico: Documento de consenso y aplicaciones prácticas / Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with stroke: Consensus document and practice guidance

Introducción: Los pacientes, tras un ictus o un ataque isquémico transitorio, presentan un riesgo muy elevado de sufrir nuevos episodios vasculares. La reducción del nivel de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL) reduce la incidencia de nuevos episodios, si bien una proporción importante de pacientes no alcanza los objetivos terapéuticos recomendados con los tratamientos hipolipemiantes actuales. El objetivo de este documento de consenso es actualizar el papel de los inhibidores de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina tipo 9 (iPCSK9; alirocumab y evolocumab) en la prevención secundaria de episodios vasculares en pacientes con ictus isquémico previo. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para identificar las principales evidencias sobre el uso de iPCSK9 en estos pacientes y los objetivos terapéuticos recomendados de cLDL. Los resultados se discutieron en 2 reuniones de consenso, que constituyeron la base para la elaboración del documento. Conclusiones: Los iPSCSK9 son eficaces en la reducción del riesgo vascular en prevención secundaria y, específicamente, evolocumab ha demostrado esta reducción en pacientes con ictus isquémico previo. Ambos fármacos han demostrado un buen perfil de seguridad, incluso en pacientes que alcanzaron un nivel de cLDL < 20 mg/dL. En este sentido, en el subestudio de episodios neurocognitivos con evolocumab no se observó ninguna señal de empeoramiento de la función cognitiva en pacientes con nivel muy bajo de cLDL. Con base en estas evidencias, en el documento se presentan recomendaciones prácticas sobre el uso de iPCSK9 para la prevención secundaria y seguimiento de episodios vasculares en pacientes con ictus isquémico previo. (AU)

Introduction: Patients with history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack present considerable risk of future vascular events. Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreases the incidence of new vascular events, although in a substantial number of patients, the currently available lipid-lowering therapies fail to achieve the therapeutic goals recommended in clinical guidelines. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide updated information on the role of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors alirocumab and evolocumab in the secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. Methods: A literature review was performed to identify the main evidence on the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in these patients and the recommended therapeutic targets of LDL cholesterol. The results were discussed in 2 consensus meetings that constituted the basis for the drafting of the document. Conclusions: PCSK9 inhibitors are effective in reducing vascular risk in secondary prevention; evolocumab specifically has achieved this reduction in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. Moreover, both alirocumab and evolocumab present good safety profiles, even in patients achieving LDL cholesterol levels < 20 mg/dL, and no signs of cognitive impairment have been observed in patients treated with evolocumab who achieved very low levels of LDL cholesterol. In the light of this evidence, we provide practical recommendations about the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke and follow-up of these patients. (AU)

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with stroke: Consensus document and practice guidance.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack present considerable risk of future vascular events. Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreases the incidence of new vascular events, although in a substantial number of patients, the currently available lipid-lowering therapies fail to achieve the therapeutic goals recommended in clinical guidelines. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide updated information on the role of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors alirocumab and evolocumab in the secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. METHODS: A literature review was performed to identify the main evidence on the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in these patients and the recommended therapeutic targets of LDL cholesterol. The results were discussed in 2 consensus meetings that constituted the basis for the drafting of the document. CONCLUSIONS: PCSK9 inhibitors are effective in reducing vascular risk in secondary prevention; evolocumab specifically has achieved this reduction in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. Moreover, both alirocumab and evolocumab present good safety profiles, even in patients achieving LDL cholesterol levels < 20 mg/dL, and no signs of cognitive impairment have been observed in patients treated with evolocumab who achieved very low levels of LDL cholesterol. In the light of this evidence, we provide practical recommendations about the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke and follow-up of these patients.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with stroke: Consensus document and practice guidance. / Inhibidores de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina tipo 9 (iPCSK9) en la prevención secundaria de episodios vasculares en pacientes con ictus isquémico: Documento de consenso y aplicaciones prácticas.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack present considerable risk of future vascular events. Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreases the incidence of new vascular events, although in a substantial number of patients, the currently available lipid-lowering therapies fail to achieve the therapeutic goals recommended in clinical guidelines. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide updated information on the role of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors alirocumab and evolocumab in the secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. METHODS: A literature review was performed to identify the main evidence on the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in these patients and the recommended therapeutic targets of LDL cholesterol. The results were discussed in 2 consensus meetings that constituted the basis for the drafting of the document. CONCLUSIONS: PCSK9 inhibitors are effective in reducing vascular risk in secondary prevention; evolocumab specifically has achieved this reduction in patients with history of ischaemic stroke. Moreover, both alirocumab and evolocumab present good safety profiles, even in patients achieving LDL cholesterol levels <20 mg/dL, and no signs of cognitive impairment have been observed in patients treated with evolocumab who achieved very low levels of LDL cholesterol. In the light of this evidence, we provide practical recommendations about the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in secondary prevention of vascular events in patients with history of ischaemic stroke and follow-up of these patients.

Stroke and temporal arteritis: A study of 6 cases. / Arteritis temporal e ictus: análisis de 6 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Though uncommon, ischaemic stroke due to temporal arteritis carries serious difficulties for diagnosis and subsequent management and requires a high level of suspicion. METHODS: We analysed a series of 6 patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis presenting with ischaemic stroke. We discuss clinical characteristics, difficulties of assessment, short- and long-term progression, treatment, and the usefulness of new diagnostic techniques. RESULTS: Our sample of 6 patients had a mean age of 68.3 years; 50% were women. The majority of patients showed systemic symptoms. Anterior and posterior circulation were affected similarly. MRI angiography, Doppler sonography, and PET-CT proved to be very useful for diagnosis and treatment. Mean follow-up time was 26 months. Clinical outcomes were far from good: 33% scored≥3 on the modified Rankin scale, including one death. Two patients had recurrent stroke despite treatment with full doses of corticosteroids, and 2 underwent angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke caused by giant cell arteritis is a serious and potentially severe condition which requires a high level of suspicion and early treatment with corticosteroids. New diagnostic techniques contribute to refining patient assessment and identifying the optimal treatment. Endovascular treatment may be a valid therapeutic option in selected patients.

New insights into the pathophysiology of fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the fasciculation pattern in ALS and to analyse its clinical and pathophysiological significance. METHODS: Ultrasound of 19 muscles was performed in 44 patients with a recent diagnosis (<90 days) of ALS. The number of fasciculations was recorded in each muscle and the muscle thickness and strength were additionally measured in limb muscles. A subgroup of patients were electromyographically assessed. RESULTS: US was performed in 835 muscles and EMG was available in 263 muscles. US detected fasciculations more frequently than EMG. Fasciculations were widespread, especially in upper limbs onset patients and in the cervical region. Fasciculations' number inversely associated with ALSFR-R and body mass index (BMI) and directly with BMI loss and upper motor neuron (UMN) impairment. Our statistical model suggest that fasciculations increase with the initial lower motor neuron (LMN) degeneration, reach their peak when the muscle became mildly to moderately weak, decreasing afterwards with increasing muscle weakness and atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that both UMN and LMN degeneration trigger fasciculations causing BMI loss. The degree of LMN impairment could account for differences in fasciculations' rates within and between muscles. SIGNIFICANCE: In ALS, fasciculations could explain the link between hyperexcitability and BMI loss.

Tendencies in cerebral aneurism treatment: Analysis of a hospital series. / Tendencias en el tratamiento de los aneurismas cerebrales: análisis de una serie hospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To discover if there have been changes in the treatment time for SAH in our hospital environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Comparative analysis of 571 patients treated at Hospital Universitari la Fe during 2 different time periods. The SAH-OLD group consisted of 462 patients attended consecutively between April 1997 and March 2005, while SAH-NEW comprised 109 patients attended consecutively between March 2007 and April 2010. We analysed demographic factors, risk factors, severity at time of admission, time to arteriography, diagnosis of aneurysm, use of surgical or endovascular treatment and time to treatment, frequency of neurological complications, in-hospital deaths, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge. RESULTS: Mean time to arteriography was 2.18 ± 2.5 days for the SAH-OLD group and 2.37 ± 2.23 days, for the SAH-NEW group (P=.49). Mortality rates for SAH-OLD patients were calculated at 30%, compared to 18.3% in SAH-NEW patients (P=.01). Among patients surviving the hospital stay in the SAH-OLD group, 13.3% had an mRS > 3, compared to 21.3% of survivors in the SAH-NEW group (P=.06). Two hundred forty-five patients in the SAH-OLD group had cerebral aneurysms and 208 were treated (45% of the patient total). Sixty-five of the SAH-NEW patients received treatment (60% of the patient total, P=.007). In the SAH-OLD group, 62.9% of the patients underwent embolisation vs 74.6% in the SAH-NEW group (P=.08). Time to embolisation was 4.7 ± 8.2 days for SAH-OLD patients and 2.12 ± 2.2 days for SAH-NEW patients (P=.01). Twenty-two percent of SAH-OLD patients underwent surgery, compared to 25.4% in the SAH-NEW group (P=.62). CONCLUSIONS: Care for SAH patients has improved in this hospital: results include fewer mortalities, a higher number of treatments with a smaller proportion of endovascular treatments, and shorter times to treatment. Elapsed time to arteriography remains stable.

[Carotid angioplasty in stenosis following radiotherapy: a review of 12 cases]. / Angioplastia carotidea en estenosis tras radioterapia: revision de 12 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid stenosis is a complication of cervical radiotherapy. In these cases carotid angioplasty has been considered as the elective revascularisation treatment. Yet, the indication to treat is under discussion due to the high rate of restenosis and the scarcity of studies conducted on the long-term development. AIMS: To report on a series of patients with carotid stenosis following radiotherapy who were treated by means of angioplasty, the aim being to analyse their long- and short-term development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of a series of 426 patients with carotid stenosis treated by endovascular means, 12 of them (2.8%) had previously received radiotherapy in the neck. All of them were submitted to a clinical and imaging follow-up. Data were collected concerning the rate of complications during the first four weeks and in the long term, as well as the rate of restenosis in the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean interval between radiotherapy and the detection of stenosis was 14.7 years. Ten patients (83.3%) were symptomatic. No complications occurred during the first four weeks following the angioplasty. The mean follow-up time was 45.09 months: 16.7% of patients presented a stroke, 8.3% suffered acute myocardial infarction and 33.3% died (16.6% due to cancer). At least six patients (50%) were diagnosed with restenosis, all equal to or greater than 50% and none of them were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid angioplasty is a safe, effective technique in stenosis following radiotherapy, with few short-term complications. The rate of carotid restenosis is high. The main cause of death is cancer.

Evolución a largo plazo de la estenosis carotídea tratada endovascularmente: estudio prospectivo en una unidad neurovascular / Long-term development of carotid stenosis treated by endovascular means: a prospective study in a neurovascular unit

Objetivo. Aun hoy, a diferencia de la endarterectomía, la evolución a largo plazo en la angioplastia carotídea no está bien definida. El objetivo es describir la evolución a corto y largo plazo y la tasa de reestenosis de una serie consecutiva de pacientes con estenosis de carótida sometidos a tratamiento endovascular en el Hospital Universitario La Fe, diferenciando entre pacientes con y sin síntomas. Pacientes y métodos. Desde 1999 hasta 2010 se incluyeron 426 pacientes a los que se les realizó angioplastia carotídea (el 25,5% eran pacientes asintomáticos). Se llevó a cabo seguimiento clínico a 374 pacientes. Fueron visitados anualmente, y cada año se les realizó estudio neurosonológico. Se recogieron las complicaciones durante los 30 primeros días y las complicaciones a largo plazo; se recogió la tasa de reestenosis en el seguimiento y se valoraron las posibles diferencias entre pacientes con y sin síntomas. Resultados. La morbimortalidad en el primer mes fue del 4,2% (4,4% en pacientes sintomáticos y 3,8% en pacientes asintomáticos). El seguimiento medio fue de 55 meses: un 8% de pacientes presentó ictus, un 11% sufrió un infarto de miocardio y un 24,3% falleció, sin diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con y sin síntomas. La tasa de reestenosis fue del 17,3% a los cinco años, un 7,5% igual o superior al 50%, y de ellas, en el 1,1% fueron sintomáticas. Cinco pacientes con reestenosis significativa fueron tratados con éxito con técnicas endovasculares. Conclusiones. La angioplastia carotídea es una técnica efectiva y segura en manos experimentadas; nuestros resultados son buenos, tanto a corto como a largo plazo, con una baja tasa de reestenosis. En caso de producirse esta última, el intervencionismo vascular es seguro y eficaz (AU)

Aims. Even today, unlike endarterectomy, long-term development in carotid angioplasty has still not been well defined. The aim of this study is to describe both the short- and long-term development and the rate of restenosis in a consecutive series of patients with carotid stenosis who underwent endovascular treatment at the Hospital Universitario La Fe; a distinction is made between patients with and without symptoms. Patients and methods. From 1999 to 2010, 426 patients were submitted to a carotid angioplasty (25.5% were asymptomatic patients). Clinical follow-ups were conducted in the case of 374 patients. They had annual check-ups and every year a neurosonological study was performed. The aim was to determine what complications occurred during the first 30 days, as well as the long-term complications, to establish the rate of restenosis and to evaluate possible differences between patients with and without symptoms. Results. The morbidity and mortality rate in the first month was 4.2% (4.4% in symptomatic patients and 3.8% in asymptomatic patients). The mean follow-up time was 55 months: 8% of patients presented strokes, 11% suffered from myocardial infarct and 24.3% died, with no significant differences between patients with or without symptoms. The rate of restenosis was 17.3% at five years, 7.5% equal to or above 50% and, of those, 1.1% were symptomatic. Five patients with significant restenosis were successfully treated with endovascular techniques. Conclusions. Carotid angioplasty is an effective, safe technique in the hands of an experienced professional; our findings are good, both in the short and the long term, with a low rate of restenosis. If this latter condition occurs, vascular intervention techniques are safe and efficient (AU)

Angioplasty and stenting of symptomatic and asymptomatic vertebral artery stenosis: to treat or not to treat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Comprehensive indications for treatment of symptomatic vertebral stenosis remain unavailable. Even less is known about endovascular treatment of asymptomatic cases. We treated symptomatic and asymptomatic vertebral ostium stenosis with angioplasty and stenting and investigated the long term outcome. METHODS: Consecutive patients with two different indications were included. Group 1 (G1) had symptomatic >50% stenosis. Group 2 (G2) had asymptomatic >50% stenosis and severe lesions of anterior circulation and were expected to benefit from additional cerebral blood supply. RESULTS: Twenty nine vertebral origin stenoses in 28 patients (75% men, mean age 64 +/- 9 years) were treated. There were 16 G1 and 13 G2 cases. Technical success rate was 100%. Immediate neurological complications rate was 3.4% (one G1 patient with vertebral TIA due to release of emboli). Two further strokes were seen during follow up (32 +/- 24 months): vertebrobasilar stroke in a G2 patient with permeable stent in V1 segment, new ipsilateral V3 occlusion and high-risk cardioembolic source, and carotid stroke in a G1 patient who had had ipsilateral carotid stenting. There were no deaths of any cause. Asymptomatic restenosis was observed in one out of 19 patients from both groups who underwent a follow up angiography. CONCLUSIONS: Angioplasty and stenting appears to be technically feasible and safe in asymptomatic and symptomatic vertebral stenosis. More studies are needed in order to clarify its role in primary and secondary prevention of vertebrobasilar stroke. High risk anterior circulation lesions should be taken into account as a possible indication in patients with asymptomatic vertebral stenosis.

[Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: a study of 462 patients]. / Hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea: estudio de 462 pacientes.

AIMS: To describe the demographic characteristics of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in our population and to compare the endovascular and surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 462 patients who were admitted to the Hospital Universitario La Fe in Valencia between April 1997 and March 2005. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.8 +/- 14.8 years and 55.8% of the patients were females. The risk factors were: arterial hypertension, 40.3%; smoking, 32.7%; dyslipidemia, 16.0%; diabetes mellitus, 10.6%; alcoholism, 6.7%. A cerebral arteriography was performed in 369 patients and intracranial aneurysms were detected in 246 of them. Aneurysms were treated by embolisation in 62.6% of cases and by surgery in 22%. On comparing the embolisation and surgery groups, there were non-significant differences in the rates of complications. Infections were present in 21.9% of patients in the embolisation group versus 10.2% in the surgery group; epileptic seizures 6.1% versus 8%; hydrocephalus 2.7% versus 4%; rebleeding 4.1% versus 10.2%; clinical vasospasm 8.9% versus 6.1%. The rate of sequelae on discharge (a score on the modified Rankin Scale > 3) was 13.7% among surviving patients in the embolisation group and 15.5% in the group that had undergone surgery. The mortality rates in the two groups were 10.3 and 10%, respectively. Overall mortality rate was 30.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The presentation and course of SAH in our population follow a pattern that is similar to those reported in other countries. No differences in morbidity and mortality were detected between the endovascular and surgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea: estudio de 462 pacientes / Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrahage. A study of 462 patients

Objetivos. Describir las características demográficas de los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea (HSA) espontánea en nuestro medio y comparar los tratamientos endovascular y quirúrgico de los aneurismas intracraneales. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 462 pacientes ingresados en el Hospital Universitario la Fe de Valencia entre abril de 1997 y marzo de 2005. Resultados. La edad media fue de 56,8 ± 14,8 años. El 55,8% de los pacientes eran mujeres. Los factores de riesgo fueron: hipertensión arterial 40,3%, tabaquismo 32,7%, dislipemia 16,0%, diabetes mellitus 10,6%, alcoholismo 6,7%. La arteriografía cerebral se realizó a 369 pacientes y se detectó aneurisma intracraneal en 246. Un 62,6% de los aneurismas fue embolizado y un 22% intervenido quirúrgicamente. Al comparar los grupos de embolización y cirugía, hubo diferencias no significativas en las tasas de complicación. Presentaron infección 21,9% de pacientes en el grupo de embolización frente a 10,2% en el grupo quirúrgico, crisis epiléptica 6,1% frente a 8%, hidrocefalia 2,7% frente a 4%, resangrado 4,1% frente a 10,2%, vasoespasmo clínico 8,9% frente a 6,1%. La tasa de secuelas al alta (puntuación en la escala de Rankin modificada > 3) fue de 13,7% entre los pacientes supervivientes del grupo de embolizados y 15,5% en el grupo de intervenidos. La mortalidad en cada grupo fue 10,3 y 10%, respectivamente. La mortalidad global alcanzó el 30,1%. Conclusiones. La presentación y evolución de la HSA en nuestro medio sigue un patrón comparable al de otros países. No hemos detectado diferencias de morbimortalidad entre abordajes endovascular y quirúrgico de los aneurismas intracraneales rotos (AU)

Aims. To describe the demographic characteristics of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in our population and to compare the endovascular and surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Patients and methods. We conducted a retrospective study of 462 patients who were admitted to the Hospital Universitario La Fe in Valencia between April 1997 and March 2005. Results. The mean age was 56.8 ± 14.8 years and 55.8% of the patients were females. The risk factors were: arterial hypertension, 40.3%; smoking, 32.7%; dyslipidemia, 16.0%; diabetes mellitus, 10.6%; alcoholism, 6.7%. A cerebral arteriography was performed in 369 patients and intracranial aneurysms were detected in 246 of them. Aneurysms were treated by embolisation in 62.6% of cases and by surgery in 22%. On comparing the embolisation and surgery groups, there were non-significant differences in the rates of complications. Infections were present in 21.9% of patients in the embolisation group versus 10.2% in the surgery group; epileptic seizures 6.1% versus 8%; hydrocephalus 2.7% versus 4%; rebleeding 4.1% versus 10.2%; clinical vasospasm 8.9% versus 6.1%. The rate of sequelae on discharge (a score on the modified Rankin Scale > 3) was 13.7% among surviving patients in the embolisation group and 15.5% in the group that had undergone surgery. The mortality rates in the two groups were 10.3 and 10%, respectively. Overall mortality rate was 30.1%. Conclusions. The presentation and course of SAH in our population follow a pattern that is similar to those reported in other countries. No differences in morbidity and mortality were detected between the endovascular and surgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (AU)

[Recommendations of the use of transcranial Doppler to determine the existence of cerebral circulatory arrest as diagnostic support of brain death]. / Recomendaciones sobre el uso del Doppler transcraneal para determinar la existencia de paro circulatorio cerebral como apoyo diagnóstico de la muerte encefálica.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical criteria for brain death consist of the demonstration of the absence of any clinical sign of encephalic activity. Confirmatory testing is usually not required for the diagnosis of brain death, except in some special situations that the Spanish law details. In these situations demonstrating cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA) by cerebral flow studies is necessary to support the diagnosis of brain death. OBJECTIVE: To review the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) for confirming brain death and to establish uniform criteria for the routine use of TCD as a confirmatory test. METHODS: Based on literature analysis, the authors developed the guidelines for performance and interpretation of TCD in clinically brain-dead patients, in order to confirm the diagnosis. The active members of the Spanish Neurosonology Society (SONES) reviewed an initial draft, until a consensus was reached. RESULTS: In a clinically brain-dead patient, specific intracranial flow patterns indicating CCA can be visualized by TCD. The specific flow patterns are the presence of reverberating flow and/or systolic spikes, and should be detected in both middle cerebral arteries and also in the basilar artery. We recommend to repeat the examination within 30 minutes to confirm the findings. CONCLUSIONS: TCD is a useful method detecting CCA and therefore can be used to confirm brain death in a clinically brain-dead patient. The presence of reverberating flow, systolic spikes or absence of flow in the basilar and both middle cerebral arteries observed in two examinations is highly specific for the prediction of CCA and brain death in all patients.

Recomendaciones sobre el uso del Doppler transcraneal para determinar la existencia de paro circulatorio cerebral como apoyo diagnóstico de la muerte encefálica / Recommendations of the use of transcranial Dooppler to determine the existence of cerebral circulatory arrest as diagnostic support of brain death

Introducción. La muerte encefálica (ME) se define como el cese completo e irreversible de función de todas las estructuras neurológicas intracraneales. Aunque el diagnóstico de la ME es clínico, pueden utilizarse exploraciones complementarias para confirmarlo, que según la legislación española en determinadas circunstancias son obligatorias. La detección de signos de paro circulatorio cerebral (PCC) en un paciente con exploración clínica de ME confirma el diagnóstico. Objetivo. Revisar la utilidad del Doppler transcraneal (DTC) para confirmar el diagnóstico de ME y establecer unos criterios uniformes para la realización de esta exploración. Métodos. Basándose en una revisión de la literatura se elaboró la guía para la realización e interpretación del DTC para confirmar el diagnóstico clínico de ME. Los miembros en activo de la Sociedad Española de Neurosonología (SONES) revisaron el documento hasta alcanzar un consenso. Resultados. En pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de ME existen una serie de patrones de flujo en el DTC que indican la existencia de PCC. El PCC se confirma cuando se registra flujo reverberante, espigas sistólicas o ausencia de flujo en ambas arterias cerebrales medias y en la arteria basilar. Se recomienda realizar dos exámenes distintos con un intervalo entre ellos de 30 min. Conclusiones. El DTC es una técnica sencilla, rápida e inocua capaz de diagnosticar PCC. La presencia de flujo reverberante y/o espigas sistólicas o la ausencia de flujo permite diagnosticar PCC y tiene una especificidad muy elevada en el apoyo diagnóstico de la ME (AU)

Introduction. The clinical criteria for brain death consist of the demonstration of the absence of any clinical sign of encephalic activity. Confirmatory testing is usually not required for the diagnosis of brain death, except in some special situations that the Spanish law details. In these situations demonstrating cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA) by cerebral flow studies is necessary to support the diagnosis of brain death. Objective. To review the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) for confirming brain death and to establish uniform criteria for the routine use of TCD as a confirmatory test. Methods. Based on literature analysis, the authors developed the guidelines for performance and interpretation of TCD in clinically brain-dead patients, in order to confirm the diagnosis. The active members of the Spanish Neurosonology Society (SONES) reviewed an initial draft, until a consensus was reached. Results. In a clinically brain-dead patient, specific intracranial flow patterns indicating CCA can be visualized by TCD. The specific flow patterns are the presence of reverberating flow and/or systolic spikes, and should be detected in both middle cerebral arteries and also in the basilar artery. We recommend to repeat the examination within 30 minutes to confirm the findings. Conclusions. TCD is a useful method detecting CCA and therefore can be used to confirm brain death in a clinically brain-dead patient. The presence of reverberating flow, systolic spikes or absence of flow in the basilar and both middle cerebral arteries observed in two examinations is highly specific for the prediction of CCA and brain death in all patients (AU)

[Quality control of Doppler diagnoses in vascular neurology]. / Control de calidad del diagnóstico mediante Doppler en neurología vascular.

INTRODUCTION: The use of ultrasonography in the study of extracranial pathologies is becoming widespread among the different neurology services in our community. Its main limitation is that it is a technique that depends on the explorer. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of our Neurosonology laboratory by validating its results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study by selecting the first 100 consecutive patients (with ischemic stroke) who had been examined in the year 2001 in the Neurosonology laboratory in our hospital. These subjects had to fulfil the requirement of having been submitted to both a Doppler study (carotid and transcranial) and a vascular neuroimaging study using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or panarteriography of the supra-aortic trunks (SAT) and of the brain by means of femoral puncture. RESULTS: In the study of the SAT the Doppler detected stenosis or occlusion with a sensitivity of 91.4% and a specificity of 92.3% and, therefore, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 86.4%. 75% of the occlusions were diagnosed with three false positives (which were in fact critical stenoses above 95% instead of occlusion). As regards the evaluation of the transcranial Doppler (TCD), the sensitivity of the Doppler scan to detect stenoses above 50% is situated at 79%, with a PPV of 93%. For diffuse atheromatosis, however, sensitivity is 92.8%, and specificity is 93%. DISCUSSION: Findings agree with those offered by other studies conducted in our area using this technique, and show the reliability of this technique carried out in our Neurosonology laboratory. We therefore believe that Doppler echography of the SAT and TCD can be used for achieve an initial evaluation of cerebrovascular pathologies.

Neurologic complications associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

A series of nine patients with neurologic complications of hepatitis C virus infection is reported. Seven patients presented a combination of chronic sensory polyneuropathy, multineuropathy, and encephalopathy related to cryoglobulinemia. The noncryoglobulinemic symptoms consisted of an anterior optic neuropathy and a restless legs syndrome with small-fiber neuropathy. Corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide were useful in controlling vasculitic episodes. Interferon-alpha caused remission in half of the treated patients.

[Lacunar infarct and deep cerebral hemorrhage: a comparison of the risk factors]. / Infarto lacunar y hemorragia cerebral profunda: comparación de factores de riesgo.

INTRODUCTION: Lacunar infarcts (LI) and deep cerebral hemorrhages (DCH) have the same localization and a vasculopathy which appears to be similar, at the level of the small perforating arteries, classically attributed to arterial hypertension (AHT). OBJECTIVES: To compare the vascular risk factors of patients with lacunar ictus (LIc) and those with DCH, to try to determine how these may affect the appearance of one type of stroke or another. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed a prospective consecutive series of patients with cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), selecting 1,540 patients in the first 1,155 with a first CVA. We recorded demographic data and the following risk factors: previous transient ischemic accident (TIA), AHT, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypercholesterolemia, ischemic cardiopathy, atrial fibrillation and the presence of silent infarcts on CT. RESULTS: Two hundred and four patients had LIc and 163 had DCH. There was a significant dissociation between LIc and a history of TIA, DM, hypercholesterolemia and the presence of silent lacunar-type infarcts on CT. However, after multivariant analysis, DM did not continue to be an independent variable. Arterial blood pressure was found to be greater in the DCH group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of different risk factors for LIc and DCH may be the key to understanding the mechanism which leads to one type or other of CVA.