Temporal trends in reperfusion therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the temporal trends in thrombolysis rates after implementation of a regional emergency network for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study based on a prospective multicenter observational registry. The AIS benefited from reperfusion therapy included in 1 of the 5 primary stroke units or 1 comprehensive stroke center and 37 emergency departments were included using a standardized case report form. The population covers 3 million inhabitants. RESULTS: In total, 32,319 AIS was reported in the regional hospitalization database of which 2215 thrombolyzed AIS patients were included in the registry and enrolled in this study. The annual incidence rate of thrombolysis continuously and significantly increased from 2010 to 2018 (10.2% to 17.3%, P-trend = 0.0013). The follow-up of the onset-to-door and the door-to-needle delays over the study period showed stable rates, as did the all-cause mortality rate at 3-months (13.2%). CONCLUSION: Although access to stroke thrombolysis has increased linearly since 2010, the 3-month functional outcome has not evolved as favorably. Further efforts must focus on reducing hospital delays.

Carotid Dissection and Isolated Paralysis of Ipsilateral Half Tongue: Clinical Cases.

OBJECTIVE: We report two cases of carotid dissection revealed by isolated paralysis of the ipsilateral half tongue. Observations. First patient, 52 years old, with no particular medical or surgical history, presented with isolated paralysis of the left half tongue preceded by two weeks of moderate-intensity cervicalgia and having been the subject to cervical manipulation. MRI revealed dissection of the left internal carotid artery in its prepetrous portion. The evolution after 6 weeks of platelet aggregating inhibitors treatment was favorable. The second patient, 74 years old, with no particular medical or chirurgical history, presented with a sudden onset of paralysis of the left half tongue preceded by unusual headaches associated with neck pain. Brain MRI showed aneurysmal ectasia of the left internal carotid with parietal irregularity suggestive of carotid dissection. The evolution after four weeks of treatment with anticoagulant was favorable. CONCLUSION: Carotid dissection revealed by isolated paralysis of the half tongue is rare. It is generally of good prognosis. However, in paralysis of half tongue, it must be urgently sought and treated to reduce the risk of a transient or constituted ischemic accident.