ABSTRACT
Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterized by abrupt onset temporary dysfunction of anterograde and retrograde amnesia without other neurologic deficits. We encountered a 53-year-old man who developed recurrent TGA while working in a hot and humid machinery room (33degrees C and 64% relative humidity). Heat exposure and physical exertion may facilitate the leakage of cytokines into the systemic circulation so as to cause a cerebral endothelial insult. Functional insufficiency of the hippocampus and its connections caused by physical and environmental factors may be related to recurrent attacks.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Amnesia, Retrograde , Amnesia, Transient Global , Cytokines , Hippocampus , Hot Temperature , Neurologic Manifestations , Physical ExertionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of extracranial carotid arteries determined by B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. A low ABI and a high carotid IMT are independently related to increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study examined the association between carotid IMT and ABI in patients with ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 116 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Using a pulse wave velocity ABI device along with carotid duplex sonography, we measured carotid IMT and ABI and investigated the correlation between average values. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in carotid IMT between the normal and abnormal ABI groups (P=0.0262). The group with an abnormal ABI was more than five times as likely to have increased carotid IMT as the group with a normal ABI (age, sex-adjusted OR 5.67 (95% CI 1.85~17.38)). The ABI and carotid IMT showed a weak inverse linear correlation in patients with ischemic stroke (correlation coefficient -0.378 after adjusting for age and sex). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that an abnormal ABI is associated with a high carotid IMT in patients with ischemic stroke.