Reduced magnetic resonance angiography signal intensity in the middle cerebral artery ipsilateral to severe carotid stenosis may be a practical index of high oxygen extraction fraction.

OBJECTIVES: Angiographic "slow flow" in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), caused by carotid stenosis, may be associated with high oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). If the MCA slow flow is associated with a reduced relative signal intensity (rSI) of the MCA on MR angiography, the reduced rSI may be associated with a high OEF. We investigated whether the MCA slow flow ipsilateral to carotid stenosis was associated with a high OEF and aimed to create a practical index to estimate the high OEF. METHODS: We included patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MRA between 2015 and 2019 to evaluate carotid stenosis. MCA slow flow by image count using DSA, MCA rSI, minimal luminal diameter (MLD) of the carotid artery, carotid artery stenosis rate (CASr), and whole-brain OEF (wb-OEF) was evaluated. When MCA slow flow was associated with a high wb-OEF, the determinants of MCA slow flow were identified, and their association with high wb-OEF was evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients met our inclusion criteria. Angiographic MCA slow flow was associated with high wb-OEF. We identified MCA rSI and MLD as determinants of angiographic MCA slow flow. The upper limits of MCA rSI and MLD for angiographic MCA slow flow were 0.89 and 1.06 mm, respectively. The wb-OEF was higher in patients with an MCA rSI ≤ 0.89 and ipsilateral MLD ≤ 1.06 mm than patients without this combination. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of reduced MCA rSI and ipsilateral narrow MLD is a straightforward index of high wb-OEF. KEY POINTS: • The whole-brain OEF in patients with angiographic slow flow in the MCA ipsilateral to high-grade carotid stenosis was higher than in patients without it. • Independent determinants of MCA slow flow were MCA relative signal intensity (rSI) on MRA or minimal luminal diameter (MLD) of the carotid stenosis. • The wb-OEF was higher in patients with an MCA rSI ≤ 0.89 and ipsilateral MLD ≤ 1.06 mm than patients without this combination.

Independent factors affecting hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in patients aged 40-69 years: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have common vascular risk factors; however, ICH often occurs in adults aged < 70 years. Intracerebral hemorrhage and AIS in adults aged < 70 years should be preventable; however, it is unclear why different subtypes of ICH or AIS occur among adults aged < 70 years with vascular risk factors. This study aimed to identify independent variables for ICH or AIS onset in patients aged < 70 years. METHODS: We included patients aged 40-69 years who experienced ICH or AIS between August 2016 and July 2019. Patients aged < 40 years were excluded because other diseases, rather than vascular risk factors, are often associated with stroke etiology in this age group. Data on age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum lipids, and serum fatty acid levels were compared between patients with ICH and those with AIS. In addition, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify independent factors among the variables, such as blood pressure or biomarkers, with significant differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 1252 acute stroke patients screened, 74 patients with ICH and 149 patients with AIS met the inclusion criteria. After excluding variables with multicollinearity, SBP, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) proportion (%) of total fatty acids were identified as independent factors affecting ICH and AIS. The SBP and EPA% threshold values for ICH compared to AIS were ≥ 158 mmHg and ≤ 2.3%, respectively. The HbA1c threshold value for AIS compared to ICH was ≥ 6.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and EPA%, were independent factors between ICH and AIS. Patients aged 40-69 years with high SBP and low EPA% were at a higher risk of ICH than AIS, and those with a high HbA1c were at a higher risk of AIS than ICH.

Impaired Brachial Flow-Mediated Dilatation May Predict Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Dissections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spontaneous intracranial arterial dissections are characterized by the sudden disruption of the internal elastic lamina in the intracranial arteries. The purpose of our retrospective study was to investigate whether patients with nontraumatic intracranial arterial dissections had normal endothelial function. METHODS: The study included symptomatic patients with nontraumatic intracranial arterial dissections who underwent an endothelial function test. Controls were selected from headache patients matched for sex and age. Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilatation. We investigated patients' ankle brachial index and pulse wave velocity to determine the degree of atherosclerosis. Patient characteristics, brachial flow-mediated dilatation, ankle brachial index, and pulse wave velocity were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 22 patients with nontraumatic intracranial arterial dissections matched with 22 controls. Clinical characteristics were compared between the groups. Although there were no significant differences in ankle brachial index or pulse wave velocity between the 2 groups, patients with intracranial arterial dissections had lower flow-mediated dilatation values than controls (median flow-mediated dilatation, 3.95% in dissection patients versus 7.3% in controls, P = .0035). Brachial flow-mediated dilatation was impaired in symptomatic patients with nontraumatic intracranial arterial dissections despite the normal ankle brachial index and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired brachial flow-mediated dilatation is a probable predictor of intracranial arterial dissections.

[Usefulness of a Transbrachial Guide Sheath Specifically Designed for Direct Common Carotid Artery Cannulation in Common Carotid Artery Stenting].

The transfemoral approach is a common technique for carotid artery stenting(CAS)and involves the risk of distal embolism when a high-grade stenosis occurs at the common carotid artery(CCA). In this study, to minimize the risk of thromboembolic complications, we used a guide sheath that was specifically designed for direct cannulation to the CCA without the use of a guidewire or coaxial catheter. This study included 5 patients who underwent CAS of the CCA by using a guide sheath. Of these patients, 2 had right CCA stenosis and the other 3 had left CCA lesions. In all cases, direct cannulation to the target CCA by using the guide sheath was achieved, and CAS was performed safely. The median time from puncture to the end of the procedure was 61 min(interquartile range: 53-63). No periprocedural complications or cardiovascular events occurred within 30 days after CAS. CAS was safely and successfully performed for CCA stenosis by using the transbrachial guide sheath that was specifically designed for direct cannulation to the CCA.

[Spontaneous Dilatation of Carotid Artery Stents Three Months after the Procedure, without the Need for Post-CAS Balloon Dilatation].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether the radial force of a self-expandable stent alone is sufficient to dilate an atherosclerotic carotid artery without the need for post-carotid artery stenting (CAS) balloon dilatation (PCasBD). METHODS: We included in our analysis patients who had undergone (1) elective CAS without PCasBD from January 2012 to March 2014, and (2) follow-up conventional angiography 3 months after CAS. We recorded the patients' baseline characteristics and stent types (open-cell [OP] or closed-cell [CL]). Using the minimum width on the lateral projection, stent diameters (SDs) were measured at the site both post-operatively and 3 months after CAS. RESULTS: Fifty-eight lesions in 55 patients were analyzed. The average age of the patients was 74.4 years;the median SD immediately after CAS was 3.27 mm (interquartile range: 3.09-3.64 mm), while after 3 months it was 3.97 mm (3.58-4.25 mm), a significant increase (p<0.0001). In Regarding OP stents specifically (n=18), the median SD increased from 3.59 to 4.05 mm, while the median diameter of CL stents (n=44) increased from 3.22 to 3.83 mm. The median diameter of OP stents was larger than that of CL stents at both time points (p<0.05), whereas the expansion rate of CL stents was higher. CONCLUSION: All stents had spontaneously dilated by 10% to 20% without PCasBD. The diameter of OP stents was larger than that of CL stents, both immediately and 3 months after CAS.(Received:April 1, 2015, Accepted:August 3, 2015).

Japan Trevo Registry: Real-world Registry of Stent Retriever Alone or in Combined Therapy with Aspiration Catheter for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Japan.

Endovascular therapy (EVT) for real-world patients after extended time frames is associated with concerns about its efficacy and safety. We conducted a prospective registry at 77 centers between November 2019 and October 2020. The registry criteria included patients treated with Trevo Retriever alone or in combined therapy with an aspiration catheter. The primary outcome was effective reperfusion (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade ≥ 2b), the secondary outcome was a modified Rankin scale 0-2 at 90 days, and the safety outcomes were worsening of neurologic symptoms within 24 h postoperatively, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 24 h after EVT and mortality. We also exlpored the difference between patients whose last known well time (LKWT) to a puncture was less than 6 h (0-6 h) and those whose LKWT was 6 h or more but less than 24 h (6-24 h). Among the 1041 patients registered, 1025 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 76.9 years, and 53.6% of the participants were males. The 6-24 h group was 206/998 (20.6%), the median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission was 18, and the median Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score was 8. Combined technique as the first pass was used on 817 (79.7%) patients. The primary outcome was 934 (91.1%). The secondary outcome was 433/1021 (42.4%). Symptomatic ICH, any ICH, and mortality were 10/1019 (1.0%), 311/1019 (30.5%), and 75 (7.3%). In the subanalysis, the 6-24 h group was lower in NIHSS (median;18 vs 16), and the secondary outcome was not significantly different in the <6 h group. Even after treatment time expansion, this result was comparable to other Trevo-based trials and nationwide registries.

Gradual Expansion of a Stent to Prevent Periprocedural Complications after Carotid Artery Stenting for Vulnerable Severe Stenotic Lesions with Intraplaque Hemorrhages: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Vulnerable lesions with intraplaque hemorrhages are associated with a high incidence of complications following carotid artery stenting (CAS). CAS for vulnerable lesions has not been established; therefore, we gradually expand stents in such patients. This study aimed to compare the incidences of complications between gradual-expansion CAS for vulnerable lesions and standard CAS for non-vulnerable lesions. For gradual-expansion CAS, we used 3.0 or 4.0 mm balloons for minimal luminal diameters (MLDs) <2.0 or ≥2.0 mm, respectively, for pre-stenting angioplasty (SA) and did not overinflate them. By contrast, for standard CAS, we used a 4.0 mm balloon and overinflated it to 4.23 mm. A closed-cell stent was deployed, and post-SA was not performed in both groups. We evaluated the MLD before and minimal stent diameter (MSD) immediately after CAS, as well as periprocedural complications of combined stroke, death, and myocardial infarction within 30 days after CAS. In the vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups, 30 and 38 patients were analyzed, the MLDs were 0.76 and 0.96 mm before CAS, the MSDs were 2.97 mm and 3.58 mm after CAS, and the numbers of complications were 0 and 1, respectively. Gradual-expansion CAS for vulnerable lesions was as safe as standard CAS for non-vulnerable lesions.

Safety and Effectiveness of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Combined with Medical Nutrition Therapy for Hyperglycemia in Acute Stroke: A Retrospective Study.

Hyperglycemia, a predictor of poor clinical outcomes in acute stroke, must be lowered safely and promptly. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) combined with medical nutrition therapy in lowering blood glucose levels. This retrospective study included stroke patients admitted between 2014 and 2019, who (1) had glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5%, blood glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol/L at admission, (2) took their diet and drugs orally during hospitalization, (3) underwent SGLT2is pharmacotherapy after admission, and (4) underwent a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test on day 7. Patients were provided with a moderate-carbohydrate diet combined with total energy restriction. We assessed the achievement of FBG < 7 mmol/L on day 7 and the need for sulfonylurea or a long-acting insulin analog (LIA) treatment during hospitalization, which carries a risk of hypoglycemia. Fifty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Of them, 33 (64.7%) achieved the target FBG on day 7. Only eight patients were treated with a small dose of LIA; however, no patients required sulfonylurea. No dehydration occurred. SGLT2is combined with a moderate carbohydrate- and energy-restricted diet achieved the target FBG level safely, effectively, and promptly in mild stroke patients with oral ingestion.

One-Way Valve Method for Achieving Effective Flow Reversal on Carotid Artery Stenting.

Objective: We report a simplified method of manual transfusion with a one-way valve during carotid artery stenting (CAS) with flow reversal. Case Presentation: A 77-year-old man with cervical internal carotid artery stenosis who developed vulnerable plaques was scheduled for CAS using flow reversal. Blood flow reversal was naturally caused by the arteriovenous pressure gradient, and a method with a one-way valve, which enables simplified manual transfusion using a syringe technique, was used for the patient. CAS was completed without distal embolization. Conclusion: Manual transfusion can be simplified using a one-way valve in cases of flow reversal during CAS, which often require complicated procedures.

A rare brainstem hemorrhage due to incomplete transvenous embolization of the cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula: A case report.

Endovascular embolization is generally thought to be safe and effective for the cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CS DAVF); however, some complications have been reported. We report an extremely rare brainstem hemorrhage associated with transvenous embolization (TVE) of CS DAVF. A 66-year-old man presented with right-sided conjunctival chemosis and exophthalmos. His brain magnetic resonance image showed right CS DAVF. Thus, emergent TVE was performed. Although his symptoms improved after the first TVE, magnetic resonance image showed brainstem edema, and venous congestion was suspected because of incomplete TVE. Second TVE was performed. Thereafter, computed tomography showed brainstem hemorrhage, resulting in the occurrence of right abducent nerve palsy, right-sided facial palsy, and ataxia. The patient's condition gradually improved, and a year has passed without recurrence. Incomplete TVE of CS DAVF can result in life-threatening complications, such as cerebral hemorrhage. To avoid these complications, the anatomical structure of the cavernous sinus should be understood accurately, and important drainage veins should be determined.

Association of Serum Fatty Acids at Admission with the Age of Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Dietary triglycerides influence fatty acid (FA) serum concentrations and weight percentages (wt %), which may be associated with the age of onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated the correlations between serum FA levels and proportions at admission and the age of onset of AIS. We evaluated patients with AIS admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of AIS onset and calculated the correlation coefficients between their ages, serum FA concentrations, and FA wt % values. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent FAs indicating AIS age of onset. Furthermore, we estimated the threshold values of independent FAs for age of onset <60 years using receiver operating characteristic curves by logistic regression. A total of 525 patients (median age: 75 years) met the inclusion criteria. The concentration of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wt % of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were significant independent variables for age of onset of AIS, and receiver operating characteristic curves for age of onset <60 years showed thresholds of ≥117.7 µmol/L for DGLA and ≤3.7% for DHA. An increased DGLA concentration and decreased DHA wt % were significantly associated with onset of AIS at a younger age.

Computed tomography angiographic anatomical features for successful transbrachial insertion of a balloon guide catheter for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: When the femoral approach for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is limited, trans-brachial or-radial access is an alternative. However, transbrachial insertion of a 9Fr (outer diameter [OD]) balloon guide catheter (BGC) into the carotid artery is not feasible. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography (CTA) may provide vascular anatomical information for successful insertion. We investigated CTA anatomical features for successful transbrachial insertion of a 9Fr BGC into the carotid artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed AIS patients who underwent CTA and transbrachial MT using a 9Fr BGC between 2014 and 2016. We evaluated the successful insertion rate and CT angiographic anatomical features. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients met our inclusion criteria. We achieved successful insertion in 18 (75%) of 24 cases: 7 (58.3%) of 12 for left carotid arteries and 11 (91.7%) of 12 for right carotid arteries. Successful insertion was achieved in 4 of 4 bovine aortic arch for left carotid occlusion and in 3 of 8 nonbovine aortic arches for left carotid occlusion. We achieved successful insertion in 3 nonbovine cases with takeoff angles ≥23° and failed insertion in 5 cases with takeoff angles <23°. We achieved successful insertion in 10 of the 10 cases with takeoff angles ≥25° in the right common carotid artery. The BGC was broken in 1 of 2 cases with takeoff angles <25°. CONCLUSIONS: The CTA provided a high likelihood of successful 9Fr OD BGC insertion without an introducer sheath. Successful transbrachial insertion was achieved in bovine left carotid cases, in nonbovine left carotid cases with takeoff angles ≥23°, and in right carotid cases with takeoff angles ≥25°.

Features of Serum Fatty Acids at Acute Ischemic Stroke Onset in Statin-Treated Patients with Hypercholesterolemia.

In addition to diet therapy, statins are used to prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with hypercholesterolemia (HC). However, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) still occurs in statin-treated patients. How strictly statin-treated patients follow diet therapy before they experience AIS and whether they increase seafood consumption remains unknown. We investigated the serum concentrations and proportions (weight percentages: wt %) of fatty acids (FAs) at AIS onset in statin-treated patients (statin group), compared to those in non-treated patients with HC (6.465 mmol/L or higher) as controls (non-treated group). We included patients with AIS admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of AIS onset who underwent analysis of serum FAs. During the study period, 188 patients met the inclusion criteria: 133 in the statin group and 55 in the non-treated group. Interestingly, serum FA concentrations in the statin group were lower than those in the non-treated group. However, serum FA wt % in the statin group was almost identical to that in the non-treated group. In conclusion, statin-treated AIS patients had low FA concentrations and identical FA wt %, compared to non-treated AIS patients with HC.

Association of Serum Fatty Acids at Admission with the Age of Onset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Dietary triglycerides influence the serum concentrations of fatty acids (FA) and their weight percentages (wt%), which might be associated with the age of onset of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated the correlation between serum FA levels and proportions at admission, and the age at onset of ICH. We included patients admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of the onset of ICH, and calculated the correlation coefficients between their age, serum FA concentration, and FA wt%. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to identify individual FAs related to the age at onset of ICH. Furthermore, we estimated the threshold values of FAs that were independently associated with the age at onset of ICH <65 years, using receiver operating characteristic curves by logistic regression. Our inclusion criteria were met by 141 patients (mean age, 67 years). The concentration of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and the wt% of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were significant independent variables for the age at onset of ICH. The ROC curves for the age of onset <65 years were ≥108.6 µmol/L for DGLA and ≤1.7% for EPA. Increased DGLA concentration and decreased EPA wt% were significantly associated with young-onset ICH.

Trans-lamina terminalis approach assisted by endovascular temporary basilar artery occlusion for high-positioned, recurrent, basilar tip aneurysm: A technical case report.

BACKGROUND: Coil embolization is increasingly becoming the surgical intervention of choice for cerebral aneurysms, particularly for those in the posterior circulation. However, in cases where it is difficult to perform coil embolization, microsurgical clipping is still required. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of a high-positioned, ruptured, recurrent basilar tip aneurysm treated with a combination of microsurgical clipping through the trans-lamina terminalis approach and endovascular procedure. The technical considerations of this approach are discussed. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical clipping through the trans-lamina terminalis approach combined with an endovascular technique can be effective for basilar tip aneurysms. This approach is particularly useful for high-positioned, small, anterior projective aneurysms and cases with dilation of the third ventricle due to hydrocephalus or clot.

A case of cerebral infarction due to pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in endovascular treatment, reports of embolism other than thrombus are scattered, but intracranial tumorigenic embolism is rare and difficult to diagnose. Here, we describe a case of a tumorigenic embolism in a patient with lung cancer whose invasion into the vascular system was not detected on preoperative whole-body imaging. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 66-year-old man who was hospitalized to undergo radiotherapy for pulmonary carcinoma suddenly developed left hemiplegia. He exhibited atrial fibrillation, and emergent radiographic examination revealed a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Urgent mechanical embolectomy was performed, with successful revascularization. The excised embolus had a unique morphology and was pathologically diagnosed as a cerebral embolism caused by pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Tumor-derived cerebral embolism is extremely rare, but it is necessary to consider it as a potential source of embolism during differential diagnosis in patients with malignant tumors.

[Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring of Hyperglycemia in Acute Stroke Patients Receiving Enteral Tube Feeding].

Severe hyperglycemia often occurs when acute stroke patients receive enteral tube feeding. Hyperglycemia should be managed because it adversely affects stroke outcome. However, it remains unclear how blood glucose level (BGL) changes with enteral nutrition in acute stroke patients. Our purpose was to investigate features of the blood glucose curve in acute stroke patients receiving enteral feeding. We retrospectively evaluated acute stroke patients who developed hyperglycemia during enteral tube feeding and underwent CGM in our institution. We evaluated characteristics of blood glucose curves, fasting and peak BGL, and time to peak of BGL. Six patients were analyzed. The median fasting BGL was 125.5 mg/dL and the median peak BGL was 351.5 mg/dL. The blood glucose curve showed the following characteristics following: 1) BGL elevated slowly reach the peak in 180 to 240 minutes; 2) BGL decreased slowly or very little after its peak; 3) there was a large gap between fasting and peak BGL regardless of presence of diabetes mellitus. We grouped the curves into four types by time to peak and how BGL decreased after peak. (Received August 17, 2017; Accepted February 1, 2018; Published July 1, 2018).

Measurement of oxygen extraction fraction by blood sampling to estimate severe cerebral hemodynamic failure and anticipate cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is likely to occur after carotid revascularization in patients with stage 2 hemodynamic failure (st2HF), in whom the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) increases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to investigate whether measurement of the global cerebral OEF (gcOEF) by blood sampling can be used to estimate st2HF and anticipate CHS following carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: The OEF was calculated by blood sampling just before and after elective CAS. Data were collected prospectively. Patients who underwent elective CAS and gcOEF calculation were included in the study. Patients' baseline features, pre-CAS gcOEF, post-CAS gcOEF, and incidence of CHS (defined as headache, seizure, focal neurologic deficits, and/or restlessness) were evaluated. RESULTS: 141 patients met the inclusion criteria and 134 patients were analyzed. Median pre-CAS gcOEF and post-CAS gcOEF were 0.41 and 0.42, respectively. Nine patients developed CHS. Median pre-CAS gcOEF was higher in patients with than in those without CHS (Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05), but median post-CAS gcOEF was not significantly higher in patients with CHS (P=0.058). Scattergrams of patients with and without CHS showed that the cut-off values of the pre-CAS gcOEF and post-CAS gcOEF for anticipation of CHS were 0.46 (P<0.01) and 0.49 (P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Elevation of the pre-CAS or post-CAS gcOEF by blood sampling allowed for anticipation of CHS following CAS. Elevation of the pre-CAS gcOEF might be associated with st2HF.

Subacute Percutaneous Cerebral Balloon Angioplasty for Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Patients with Internal Border Zone Infarcts.

Background We report our initial experiences of subacute percutaneous cerebral balloon angioplasty (PTCBA) for atherothrombotic middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in patients with internal border zone (IBZ) infarcts more than 1 week after stroke onset. Methods Included in the retrospective analysis were patients (1) who were admitted to our institution between 3 and 72 hours after an atherothrombotic stroke onset, (2) whose diffusion-weighted image at admission showed small high-intensity lesions in the IBZ area, (3) whose magnetic resonance angiography at admission displayed the MCA occlusion, (4) whose computed tomography scans on day 7 showed the IBZ infarcts, (5) whose National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was ≥ 10 on day 7, and (6) whose neurologic symptoms deteriorated day by day within 7 days of onset (a > 4-point increase on the NIHSS) despite medical therapy. Results Ten patients met our criteria and were informed of their treatment options including angioplasty and/or stenting for atherothrombotic MCA occlusion in a subacute stroke stage. Four patients gave written informed consent and underwent subacute PTCBA; six did not. Although there were no significant differences in the prestroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS), NIHSS on admission and NIHSS on day 7 after onset between the two groups, 3-month mRS score (median) was 3 in the PTCBA group and 5 in the medical treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Subacute PTCBA for atherothrombotic MCA occlusion may be effective in improving long-term clinical outcome in patients with IBZ infarcts.

Continuous daily use of cilostazol prevents in-stent restenosis following carotid artery stenting: serial angiographic investigation of 229 lesions.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that cilostazol (CLS) may reduce in-stent restenosis (ISR) after carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, it is not known for how long CLS must be continued to prevent ISR. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database of patients who underwent elective CAS and follow-up angiography at 3 months and 1 year after the procedure. ISR was defined as stenosis of 50% or greater on digital subtraction angiography. The cumulative incidence rates of angiographic ISR were compared between the three groups, divided according to duration of CLS use : (1) patients who were maintained on CLS for 12 months or more after CAS (12M CLS group, n=70), (2) patients who were treated with CLS for the first 3 months after CAS (3M CLS group, n=23), and (3) patients who did not receive CLS (no CLS group, n=136). RESULTS: A total of 229 lesions in 199 patients were included in our analysis. During a median follow-up of 365 days, ISR was detected in 15 lesions. The cumulative ISR rates overall and in the 12M CLS, 3M CLS, and no CLS groups were 5.6%, 0%, 5.0%, and 8.4%, respectively, at 1 year, and the log rank test showed that there was a significant difference between the three groups (p<0.05). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the 12M CLS group had a significantly lower risk of ISR than the 3M CLS group (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 3.06e-10, 95% CI 0 to 0.51, p<0.05) and the no CLS group (aRR 1.41e-10, 95% CI 0 to 0.15, p<0.001), whereas no difference was found between the 3M CLS group and the no CLS group. CONCLUSIONS: An overall cumulative ISR rate of 5.6% was documented angiographically at 1 year after CAS. Continuous daily use of CLS (for at least 1 year) may have a beneficial effect on long term prevention of ISR.