急性缺血性脑卒中动脉内溶栓治疗

目的:探讨急性缺血性脑卒中动脉内溶栓治疗。方法:随机选取411例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,男238例,女173例,平均为(64±11)岁,发病距接受治疗的时间为2～24小时,视闭塞血管部位,采取超选择性接触性溶栓。尿激酶用微量泵以1万单位/min持续泵入,总量为80～130万单位。在泵入尿激酶的过程中,通过导引导管造影,了解闭塞血管再通情况。结果:颈内动脉系统血管闭塞192例,椎-基底动脉系统闭塞68例。脑血管造影未见明显异常78例。颈内动脉闭塞再通27例。大脑中动脉闭塞再通52例。大脑中动脉分支闭塞再通41例。椎-基底动脉系统闭塞再通47例。有35例因明显的血管狭窄而给予球囊扩张、支架置入术。临床症状完全恢复正常或有明显好转的247例。为60.01%。结论:我们认为动脉内接触性溶栓治疗急性脑梗塞还是很值得进行的。随着溶栓经验的积累,溶栓药的开发,脑保护剂的应用,总有效率会不断提高。     

血清超敏C-反应蛋白水平与急性缺血性脑卒中预后的关系

目的:探讨急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)的水平对卒中后功能障碍的预测价值.方法:分别在发病后第1和7天,采用颗粒增强免疫透射比浊法对92例急性缺血性脑卒中患者检测血清hs-CRP水平,并选取40例健康受试者作为对照.随访并记录患者1月、3月和6月mRS评分.结果:①急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清hs-CRP水平较对照组显著升高.②急性缺血性卒中患者入院1d和7d血清hs-CRP水平与1月、3月和6月mRS评分,均有明显的相关性.与入院1d血清hs-CRP水平相比,入院7d血清hs-CRP水平与mRS评分相关性更好.③与无颈动脉粥样硬化危险因素的缺血性卒中患者相比,有颈动脉粥样硬化危险因素的缺血性卒中患者入院7d血清hs-CRP水平明显升高.结论:与入院1d血清hs-CRP水平相比,入院7d血清hs-CRP水平对卒中后功能障碍的预测价值更好.     

Upregulation of Microglial ZEB1 Ameliorates Brain Damage after Acute Ischemic Stroke

1. Download high-res image (285KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Stroke Code Improves Intravenous Thrombolysis Administration in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose

Timely intravenous (IV) thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke is associated with better clinical outcomes. Acute stroke care implemented with “Stroke Code” (SC) may increase IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of SC on thrombolysis.

Methods

The study period was divided into the “pre-SC era” (January 2006 to July 2010) and “SC era” (August 2010 to July 2013). Demographics, critical times (stroke symptom onset, presentation to the emergency department, neuroimaging, thrombolysis), stroke severity, and clinical outcomes were recorded and compared between the two eras.

Results

During the study period, 5957 patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted; of these, 1301 (21.8%) arrived at the emergency department within 3 h of stroke onset and 307 (5.2%) received IV-tPA. The number and frequency of IV-tPA treatments for patients with an onset-to-door time of <3 h increased from the pre-SC era (n = 91, 13.9%) to the SC era (n = 216, 33.3%) (P<0.001). SC also improved the efficiency of IV-tPA administration; the median door-to-needle time decreased (88 to 51 min, P<0.001) and the percentage of door-to-needle times ≤60 min increased (14.3% to 71.3%, P<0.001). The SC era group tended to have more patients with good outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) at discharge (49.5 vs. 39.6%, P = 0.11), with no difference in symptomatic hemorrhage events or in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

The SC protocol increases the percentage of acute ischemic stroke patients receiving IV-tPA and decreases door-to-needle time.     

Anticoagulation for the Acute Management of Ischemic Stroke

Few prospective studies support the use of anticoagulation during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, though observational data suggest a role in certain populations. Depending on the mechanism of stroke, systemic anticoagulation may prevent recurrent cerebral infarction, but concomitantly carries a risk of hemorrhagic transformation. In this article, we describe a case where anticoagulation shows promise for ischemic stroke and review the evidence that has discredited its use in some circumstances while showing its potential in others.     

Glycated Hemoglobin Independently Predicts Stroke Recurrence within One Year after Acute First-Ever Non-Cardioembolic Strokes Onset in A Chinese Cohort Study

Objective

Hyperglycemia is related to stroke. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can reflect pre-stroke glycaemia status. However, the information on the direct association between HbA1c and recurrence after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic strokes is rare and there is no consistent conclusion.

Methods

The ACROSS-China database comprised of 2186 consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients with baseline HbA1c values. After excluding patients who died from non-stroke recurrence and patients lost to follow up, 1817 and 1540 were eligible for 3-month and 1-year analyses, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate the associations between HbA1c and 3-month and 1-year stroke recurrence.

Results

The HbA1c values at admission were divided into 4 levels by quartiles: Q1 (<5.5%); Q2 (5.5 to <6.1%); Q3 (6.1% to <7.2%); and Q4 (≥7.2%). The cumulative recurrence rates were 8.3% and 11.0% for 3 months and 1 year, respectively. In multivariate analyses, when compared with Q1, the adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) were 2.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.26) in Q3 and 3.71(95% CI 1.68-8.21) in Q4 for 3-month stroke recurrence; 3.30 (95% CI 1.31-8.34) in Q3 and 3.35 (95% CI 1.36-8.21) in Q4 for 1-year stroke recurrence. Adding fasting plasma glucose in the multivariate analyses did not modify the association: AHRs were 2.75 (95% CI 1.24-6.11) in Q3 and 3.67 (95% CI 1.59-8.53) in Q4 for 3-month analysis; AHRs were 3.08 (95% CI 1.10-8.64) in Q3 and 3.31(95% CI 1.35-8.14) in Q4 for 1-year analysis.

Conclusions

A higher “normal” HbA1c level reflecting pre-stroke glycaemia status independently predicts stroke recurrence within one year after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke onset. HbA1c is recommended as a routine test in acute ischemic stroke patients.     

Characteristics of Misclassified CT Perfusion Ischemic Core in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background

CT perfusion (CTP) is used to estimate the extent of ischemic core and penumbra in patients with acute ischemic stroke. CTP reliability, however, is limited. This study aims to identify regions misclassified as ischemic core on CTP, using infarct on follow-up noncontrast CT. We aim to assess differences in volumetric and perfusion characteristics in these regions compared to areas that ended up as infarct on follow-up.

Materials and Methods

This study included 35 patients with >100 mm brain coverage CTP. CTP processing was performed using Philips software (IntelliSpace 7.0). Final infarct was automatically segmented on follow-up noncontrast CT and used as reference. CTP and follow-up noncontrast CT image data were registered. This allowed classification of ischemic lesion agreement (core on CTP: rMTT≥145%, aCBV<2.0 ml/100g and infarct on follow-up noncontrast CT) and misclassified ischemic core (core on CTP, not identified on follow-up noncontrast CT) regions. False discovery ratio (FDR), defined as misclassified ischemic core volume divided by total CTP ischemic core volume, was calculated. Absolute and relative CTP parameters (CBV, CBF, and MTT) were calculated for both misclassified CTP ischemic core and ischemic lesion agreement regions and compared using paired rank-sum tests.

Results

Median total CTP ischemic core volume was 49.7ml (IQR:29.9ml-132ml); median misclassified ischemic core volume was 30.4ml (IQR:20.9ml-77.0ml). Median FDR between patients was 62% (IQR:49%-80%). Median relative mean transit time was 243% (IQR:198%-289%) and 342% (IQR:249%-432%) for misclassified and ischemic lesion agreement regions, respectively. Median absolute cerebral blood volume was 1.59 (IQR:1.43–1.79) ml/100g (P<0.01) and 1.38 (IQR:1.15–1.49) ml/100g (P<0.01) for misclassified ischemic core and ischemic lesion agreement, respectively. All CTP parameter values differed significantly.

Conclusion

For all patients a considerable region of the CTP ischemic core is misclassified. CTP parameters significantly differed between ischemic lesion agreement and misclassified CTP ischemic core, suggesting that CTP analysis may benefit from revisions.     

Self-assembling Molecular Medicine for the Subacute Phase of Ischemic Stroke

Neurochemical Research - Ischemic stroke leads to acute neuron death and forms an injured core, triggering delayed cell death at the penumbra. The impaired brain functions after ischemic stroke are...     

急性缺血性卒中后阿司匹林联合缓释型双嘧达莫预防脑血管缺血事件的临床观察

目的：比较阿司匹林联合缓释型双嘧达莫和阿司匹林预防急性缺血性卒中后预防脑血管缺血事件的疗效。方法：60例发病48小时内急性缺血性卒患者随机分为联合组（n=30）和阿司匹林组（n=30）,分别采用联合应用阿司匹林和缓释型双嘧达莫（50mg,2次／d;双嘧达莫100mg,2次／d）和单独应用阿司匹林（50mg,2次／d）进行抗血小板治疗。随访6个月,比较2组脑血管缺血事件发生率和NIHSS评分降低值,并记录药物不良反应。结果：治疗组3例失访和1例终止实验,对照组5例失访,进入结果分析的例数为51例。联合组的患者6个月内脑血管缺血事件发生率明显低于单独应用阿司匹林组（11．5％VS．20．O％,P〈0．05）。而且,联合组NIHSS评分比单独应用阿司匹林降低更明显（4．52±1．8 vs．3．62±3.3,P〈0．05）。结论：联合应用阿司匹林和双嘧达莫在急性缺血性卒中后预防脑血管缺血事件的疗效明显优于单独应用阿司匹林。     

血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中相关分析

目的:研究血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中的相关性。方法:选择缺血性卒中患者(病例组)100例和健康体检者(对照组)100例,分别测定空腹血尿酸(UA)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C),并对病例组进行颈部动脉超声检查、NIHSS评分、BI指数计算。比较两组尿酸水平及病例组不同血尿酸水平下UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C的指标变化及NIHSS评分、BI指数、颈部血管斑块形成率的差别。结果:病例组和对照组空腹血尿酸升高的例数,分别为46例和17例,分别占46%和17%;血尿酸平均浓度分别为485.96±76.03(μmoL/L)和343.12±61.46(μmoL/L),差异有统计学意义。病例组尿酸结果明显高于对照组,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01);病例组UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C水平较正常对照组差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。对病例组血尿酸水平,颈部血管超声结果、NIHSS评分、BI指数进行分析。病例组患者血尿酸水平与病情及预后有平行关系,即血尿酸水平高,颈部血管斑块形成率高,病情重,预后差。结论:高尿酸血症(HUA)是缺血性卒中重要的危险因素,是防治缺血性卒中的综合因素之一。     

急性缺血性脑卒中临床路径管理模式的优化及实践

目的 评价优化后急性缺血性脑卒中临床路径管理模式的优越性。方法 随机选取医院实施急性缺血性脑卒中治疗临床路径管理优化前后收治的急性脑梗死患者各200例,采用回顾性分析比较各组患者的相关指标。结果 路径优化管理后,患者诊疗等待时间缩短,疾病规范诊疗比率进一步提高,医护工作量大大减少,患者满意度进一步提高。结论 实施临床路径能够改善医疗质量,更好地利用医疗资源。临床路径优化后医疗质量进一步提高。     

Causal Relationship of Susceptibility Genes to Ischemic Stroke: Comparison to Ischemic Heart Disease and Biochemical Determinants

Interrelationships between genetic and biochemical factors underlying ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease are poorly understood. We: 1) undertook the most comprehensive meta-analysis of genetic polymorphisms in ischemic stroke to date; 2) compared genetic determinants of ischemic stroke with those of ischemic heart disease, and 3) compared effect sizes of gene-stroke associations with those predicted from independent biochemical data using a mendelian randomization strategy. Electronic databases were searched up to January 2009. We identified: 1) 187 ischemic stroke studies (37,481 cases; 95,322 controls) interrogating 43 polymorphisms in 29 genes; 2) 13 meta-analyses testing equivalent polymorphisms in ischemic heart disease; and 3) for the top five gene-stroke associations, 146 studies (65,703 subjects) describing equivalent gene-biochemical relationships, and 28 studies (46,928 subjects) describing biochemical-stroke relationships. Meta-analyses demonstrated positive associations with ischemic stroke for factor V Leiden Gln506, ACE I/D, MTHFR C677T, prothrombin G20210A, PAI-1 5G allele and glycoprotein IIIa Leu33Pro polymorphisms (ORs: 1.11 – 1.60). Most genetic associations show congruent levels of risk comparing ischemic stroke with ischemic heart disease, but three genes—glycoprotein IIIa, PAI-1 and angiotensinogen—show significant dissociations. The magnitudes of stroke risk observed for factor V Leiden, ACE, MTHFR and prothrombin, but not PAI-1, polymorphisms, are consistent with risks associated with equivalent changes in activated protein C resistance, ACE activity, homocysteine, prothrombin, and PAI-1 levels, respectively. Our results demonstrate causal relationships for four of the most robust genes associated with stroke while also showing that PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism influences cardiovascular risk via a mechanism not simply related to plasma levels of PAI-1 (or tPA) alone.     

Aspirin Resistance in the Acute Stages of Acute Ischemic Stroke Is Associated with the Development of New Ischemic Lesions

Background

Aspirin is a primary antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. However, if aspirin fails to inhibit platelet function, as is expected in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), it may increase the rate of early clinical events. Therefore, we sought to determine whether aspirin resistance in the acute stage was associated with early radiological events, including new ischemic lesions (NILs).

Methods

This study was a single-center, prospective, observational study conducted between April 2012 and May 2013. Aspirin 300 mg was initially administered followed by maintenance doses of 100 mg daily. The acute aspirin reaction unit (aARU) was consistently measured after 3 hours of aspirin loading. An aARU value ≥550 IU was defined as biological aspirin resistance (BAR). NILs on follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were defined as lesions separate from index lesions, which were not detected on the initial DWI.

Results

A total of 367 patients were analyzed in this study. BAR in aARU was detected in 60 patients (16.3%). On follow-up DWI, 81 patients (22.1%) had NILs, which were frequently in the same territory as the index lesions (79%), pial infarcts (61.7%), and located within the cortex (59.3%). BAR was independently associated with NILs on follow-up DWI (adjusted OR 2.00, 95% CIs 1.01–3.96; p = 0.047).

Conclusion

In conclusion, BAR in aARU could be associated with NILs on follow-up DWI in AIS. Therefore, a further prospective study with a longer follow-up period is necessary to evaluate the clinical implications of aARU in AIS.     

Off-Hour Effect on 3-Month Functional Outcome after Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Registry

Background and Purpose

The time of hospital arrival may have an effect on prognosis of various vascular diseases. We examined whether off-hour admission would affect the 3-month functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to tertiary hospitals.

Methods

We analyzed the ‘off-hour effect’ in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke using multi-center prospective stroke registry. Work-hour admission was defined as when the patient arrived at the emergency department between 8 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Friday and between 8 AM and 1 PM on Saturday. Off-hour admission was defined as the rest of the work-hours and statutory holidays. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between off-hour admission and 3-month unfavorable functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3–6. Multivariable model included age, sex, risk factors, prehospital delay time, intravenous thrombolysis, stroke subtypes and severity as covariates.

Results

A total of 7075 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in this analysis: mean age, 67.5 (±13.0) years; male, 58.6%. In multivariable analysis, off-hour admission was not associated with unfavorable functional outcome (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.72–1.09) and mortality (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77–1.54) at 3 months. Moreover, off-hour admission did not affect a statistically significant shift of 3-month mRS distributions (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78–1.05).

Conclusions

‘Off-hour’ admission is not associated with an unfavorable 3-month functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to tertiary hospitals in Korea. This finding indicates that the off-hour effects could be overcome with well-organized stroke management strategies.     

急性脑梗死溶栓治疗的临床进展

脑梗死是一种常见的神经系统疾病,具有高发病率、高死亡率和高致残率的特点,给患者及家庭带来巨大的痛苦和经济负担,它已成为当代医学界重要的研究课题。脑梗死的治疗直接影响患者的预后,因此寻找最有效的治疗药物及方法是非常重要的。目前,在急性脑梗死溶栓治疗方面国内外已经开展了大量的实验研究,取得了良好的实验结果。本文就急性脑梗死溶栓治疗的时间窗、溶栓方法、溶栓药物及影响因素等方面进行了总结及展望。     

Variations and Determinants of Hospital Costs for Acute Stroke in China

Background

The burden of stroke is high and increasing in China. We modelled variations in, and predictors of, the costs of hospital care for patients with acute stroke in China.

Methods and Findings

Baseline characteristics and hospital costs for 5,255 patients were collected using the prospective register-based ChinaQUEST study, conducted in 48 Level 3 and 14 Level 2 hospitals in China during 2006–2007. Ordinary least squares estimation was used to determine factors associated with hospital costs. Overall mean cost of hospitalisation was 11,216 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) (≈US$1,602) per patient, which equates to more than half the average annual wage in China. Variations in cost were largely attributable to stroke severity and length of hospital stay (LOS). Model forecasts showed that reducing LOS from the mean of 20 days for Level 3 and 18 days for Level 2 hospitals to a duration of 1 week, which is common among Western countries, afforded cost reductions of 49% and 19%, respectively. Other lesser determinants varied by hospital level: in Level 3 hospitals, health insurance and the occurrence of in-hospital complications were each associated with 10% and 18% increases in cost, respectively, whilst treatment in a teaching hospital was associated with approximately 39% decrease in cost on average. For Level 2 hospitals, stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage was associated with a 19% greater cost than for ischaemic stroke.

Conclusions

Changes to hospital policies to standardise resource use and reduce the variation in LOS could attenuate costs and improve efficiencies for acute stroke management in China. The success of these strategies will be enhanced by broader policy initiatives currently underway to reform hospital reimbursement systems.