Explanatory Power and Prognostic Implications of Factors Associated with Troponin Elevation in Acute Ischemic Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Background@#and Purpose We investigated the impact of comorbidity burden on troponin elevation, with separate consideration of neurological conditions, in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). @*Methods@#This prospective, observational cohort study consecutively enrolled patients with AIS for 2 years. Serum cardiac troponin I was repeatedly measured, and disease-related biomarkers were collected for diagnosis of preassigned comorbidities, including atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), myocardial hypertrophy (MH), heart failure (HF), renal insufficiency (RI), and active cancer. The severity of neurological deficits and insular cortical ischemic lesions were assessed as neurological conditions. Adjusted associations between these factors and troponin elevation were determined using a multivariate ordinal logistic regression model and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the prognostic significance of comorbidity beyond neurological conditions. @*Results@#Among 1,092 patients (66.5±12.4 years, 63.3% male), 145 (13.3%) and 335 (30.7%) had elevated (≥0.040 ng/mL) and minimally-elevated (0.040–0.010 ng/mL) troponin, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, AF, MH, HF, RI, active cancer, and neurological deficits were associated with troponin elevation. The multivariate model with six comorbidities and two neurological conditions exhibited an AUC of 0.729 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.698–0.759). In Cox regression, AF, IHD, and HF were associated with adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events, whereas HF and active cancer were associated with mortality. @*Conclusion@#Troponin elevation in patients with AIS can be explained by the burden of comorbidities in combination with neurological status, which explains the prognostic significance of troponin assay.

Deep Learning Approach Using Diffusion-Weighted Imaging to Estimate the Severity of Aphasia in Stroke Patients / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Background@#and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the applicability of deep learning (DL) model using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data to predict the severity of aphasia at an early stage in acute stroke patients. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with aphasia caused by acute ischemic stroke in the left middle cerebral artery territory, who visited Asan Medical Center between 2011 and 2013. To implement the DL model to predict the severity of post-stroke aphasia, we designed a deep feed-forward network and utilized the lesion occupying ratio from DWI data and established clinical variables to estimate the aphasia quotient (AQ) score (range, 0 to 100) of the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery. To evaluate the performance of the DL model, we analyzed Cohen’s weighted kappa with linear weights for the categorized AQ score (0–25, very severe; 26–50, severe; 51–75, moderate; ≥76, mild) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for continuous values. @*Results@#We identified 225 post-stroke aphasia patients, of whom 176 were included and analyzed. For the categorized AQ score, Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42 to 0.76; P<0.001). For continuous AQ score, the correlation coefficient between true AQ scores and model-estimated values was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.55 to 0.83; P<0.001). @*Conclusions@#DL approaches using DWI data may be feasible and useful for estimating the severity of aphasia in the early stage of stroke.

Etiology-Related Outcome of Endovascular Therapy in Posterior Circulation Stroke Compared to Anterior Circulation Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Background@#and Purpose We investigated the impact of stroke etiology on the endovascular treatment (EVT) procedure and clinical outcome of posterior circulation stroke (PCS) patients with EVT compared to anterior circulation stroke (ACS) patients. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT between January 2012 and December 2020. Enrolled ACS and PCS patients were compared according to etiologies (intracranial arterial steno-occlusion [ICAS-O], artery-to-artery embolic occlusion [AT-O], and cardioembolic occlusion [CA-O]). EVT procedure and favorable clinical outcomes at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) were compared between the ACS and PCS groups for each etiology. @*Results@#We included 419 patients (ACS, 346; PCS, 73) including 88 ICAS-O (ACS, 67; PCS, 21), 66 AT-O (ACS, 50; PCS, 16), and 265 CA-O (ACS, 229; PCS, 36) patients in the study. The onset-to-recanalization time was longer in the PCS group than in the ACS group (median 628.0 minutes vs. 421.0 minutes, P=0.01). In CA-O patients, the door-to-puncture time was longer, whereas the puncture-to-recanalization time was shorter in the PCS group than in the ACS group. The proportions of successful recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes were similar between the ACS and PCS groups for all three etiologies. Low baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and absence of intracerebral hemorrhage at follow-up imaging were associated with favorable clinical outcomes in both groups, whereas successful recanalization (odds ratio, 11.74; 95% confidence interval, 2.60 to 52.94; P=0.001) was only associated in the ACS group. @*Conclusions@#The proportions of successful recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes were similar among all three etiologies between PCS and ACS patients who underwent EVT. Initial baseline NIHSS score and absence of hemorrhagic transformation were related to favorable outcomes in the PCS and ACS groups, whereas successful recanalization was related to favorable outcomes only in the ACS group.

Changes in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risks of Cardiovascular Events: A Post Hoc Analysis from the PICASSO Trial / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Background@#and purpose Whether pharmacologically altered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) affects the risk of cardiovascular events is unknown. Recently, we have reported the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Asian Patients with Ischaemic Stroke at High Risk of Cerebral Haemorrhage (PICASSO) trial that demonstrated the non-inferiority of cilostazol to aspirin and superiority of probucol to non-probucol for cardiovascular prevention in ischemic stroke patients (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01013532). We aimed to determine whether on-treatment HDL-C changes by cilostazol and probucol influence the treatment effect of each study medication during the PICASSO study. @*Methods@#Of the 1,534 randomized patients, 1,373 (89.5%) with baseline cholesterol parameters were analyzed. Efficacy endpoint was the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis examined an interaction between the treatment effect and changes in HDL-C levels from randomization to 1 month for each study arm. @*Results@#One-month post-randomization mean HDL-C level was significantly higher in the cilostazol group than in the aspirin group (1.08 mmol/L vs. 1.00 mmol/L, P<0.001). The mean HDL-C level was significantly lower in the probucol group than in the non-probucol group (0.86 mmol/L vs. 1.22 mmol/L, P<0.001). These trends persisted throughout the study. In both study arms, no significant interaction was observed between HDL-C changes and the assigned treatment regarding the risk of the efficacy endpoint. @*Conclusions@#Despite significant HDL-C changes, the effects of cilostazol and probucol treatment on the risk of cardiovascular events were insignificant. Pharmacologically altered HDL-C levels may not be reliable prognostic markers for cardiovascular risk.

Efficacies of Cognitive Interventions in the Elderly with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Prospective, Three-Arm, Controlled Trial

Background@#and PurposeA cognitive intervention (CI) is thought to improve cognition and delay cognitive decline via neuronal plasticity and cognitive resilience. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) might be the first symptomatic stage of Alzheimer's disease, but few studies have examined the beneficial effect of CIs in SCD. We aimed to determine the efficacy of a 12-week, small-group-based, multidomain CI in elderly patients with SCD. @*Methods@#Participants diagnosed with SCD (aged 55–75 years) were consecutively allocated to three groups: group 1, which received group-based CI implementation with lifestyle modifications; group 2, which received home-based lifestyle modifications without CI; and group 3, in which no action was taken. The primary outcome variables were the scores on computerized tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). The secondary outcomes included scores on tests evaluating general cognition, memory, visuospatial, and executive functions, as well as scores for the quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, and degree of subjective complaints. Changes in scores during the study period were compared between groups. @*Results@#The study was completed by 56 SCD participants. The baseline characteristics did not differ among the groups. The primary outcomes (CANTAB scores) did not differ among the groups. However, the outcomes for phonemic word fluency, verbal memory, QoL, and mood were better for group 1 than for the other two groups. Improvements in verbal memory function and executive function were related to the baseline cognitive scores and group differences. @*Conclusions@#CI in SCD seems to be partially beneficial for executive function, memory, QoL, and mood, suggesting that CI is a useful nonpharmacological treatment option in this population.

Digital Therapeutics: Emerging New Therapy for Neurologic Deficits after Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Digital therapeutics is an evidence-based intervention using high-quality software, with the sole purpose of treatment. As many healthcare systems are encountering high demands of quality outcomes, the need for digital therapeutics is gradually increasing in the clinical field. We conducted review of the implications of digital therapeutics in the treatment of neurological deficits for stroke patients. The implications of digital therapeutics have been discussed in four domains: cognition, speech and aphasia, motor, and vision. It was evident that different forms of digital therapeutics such as online platforms, virtual reality trainings, and iPad applications have been investigated in many trials to test its feasibility in clinical use. Although digital therapeutics may deliver high-quality solutions to healthcare services, the medicalization of digital therapeutics is accompanied with many limitations. Clinically validated digital therapeutics should be developed to prove its efficacy in stroke rehabilitation.

Early Functional Connectivity Predicts Recovery from Visual Field Defects after Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to assess whether early resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could predict recovery from visual field defect (VFD) in acute stroke patients. METHODS: Patients with VFD due to acute ischemic stroke in the visual cortex and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Serial resting-state (RS)-fMRI and Humphrey visual field (VF) tests were performed within 1 week and at 1 and 3 months (additional VF test at 6 months) after stroke onset in the patient group. The control group also underwent RS-fMRI and a Humphrey VF test. The changes in RSFCs and VF scores (VFSs) over time and their correlations were investigated. RESULTS: In 32 patients (65±10 years, 25 men), the VFSs were lower and the interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortices was decreased compared to the control group (n=15, 62±6 years, seven men). The VFSs and interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortex increased mainly within the first month after stroke onset. The interhemispheric RSFC and VFSs were positively correlated at 1 month after stroke onset. Moreover, the interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortex within 1 week were positively correlated with the follow-up VFSs. CONCLUSIONS: Interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortices within 1 week after stroke onset may be a useful biomarker to predict long-term VFD recovery.

Pharmacologically Induced Hypertension Therapy for Acute Stroke Patients / 대한뇌졸중학회지

No abstract available.

Effects of Appointing a Full-Time Neurointensivist to Run a Closed-Type Neurological Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate whether appointing a full-time neurointensivist to manage a closed-type neurological intensive care unit (NRICU) improves the quality of critical care and patient outcomes. METHODS: This study included patients admitted to the NRICU at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Two time periods were defined according to the presence of a neurointensivist in the preexisting open-type NRICU: the before and after periods. Hospital medical records were queried and compared between these two time periods, as were the biannual satisfaction survey results for the families of patients. RESULTS: Of the 15,210 patients in the neurology department, 2,199 were admitted to the NRICU (n=995 and 1,204 during the before and after periods, respectively; p<0.001). The length of stay was shorter during the after than during the before period in both the NRICU (3 vs. 4 days; p<0.001) and the hospital overall (12.5 vs. 14.0 days; p<0.001). Neurological consultations (2,070 vs. 3,097; p<0.001) and intrahospital transfers from general intensive care units to the NRICU (21 vs. 40; p=0.111) increased from the before to after the period. The mean satisfaction scores of the families of the patients also increased, from 78.3 to 89.7. In a Cox proportional hazards model, appointing a neurointensivist did not result in a statistically significant change in 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.652–1.031; p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Appointing a full-time neurointensivist to manage a closed-type NRICU had beneficial effects on quality indicators and patient outcomes.

Fully Automatic Segmentation of Acute Ischemic Lesions on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Using Convolutional Neural Networks: Comparison with Conventional Algorithms

OBJECTIVE: To develop algorithms using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and compare them with conventional algorithms, including a thresholding-based segmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2005 and August 2015, 429 patients presenting with acute cerebral ischemia (training:validation:test set = 246:89:94) were retrospectively enrolled in this study, which was performed under Institutional Review Board approval. Ground truth segmentations for acute ischemic lesions on DWI were manually drawn under the consensus of two expert radiologists. CNN algorithms were developed using two-dimensional U-Net with squeeze-and-excitation blocks (U-Net) and a DenseNet with squeeze-and-excitation blocks (DenseNet) with squeeze-and-excitation operations for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on DWI. The CNN algorithms were compared with conventional algorithms based on DWI and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) signal intensity. The performances of the algorithms were assessed using the Dice index with 5-fold cross-validation. The Dice indices were analyzed according to infarct volumes ( 100), time intervals to DWI, and DWI protocols. RESULTS: The CNN algorithms were significantly superior to conventional algorithms (p < 0.001). Dice indices for the CNN algorithms were 0.85 for U-Net and DenseNet and 0.86 for an ensemble of U-Net and DenseNet, while the indices were 0.58 for ADC-b1000 and b1000-ADC and 0.52 for the commercial ADC algorithm. The Dice indices for small and large lesions, respectively, were 0.81 and 0.88 with U-Net, 0.80 and 0.88 with DenseNet, and 0.82 and 0.89 with the ensemble of U-Net and DenseNet. The CNN algorithms showed significant differences in Dice indices according to infarct volumes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The CNN algorithm for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on DWI achieved Dice indices greater than or equal to 0.85 and showed superior performance to conventional algorithms.

Acute Exacerbation of Neovascular Glaucoma after Carotid Artery Stenting

Neovascular glaucoma is a subtype of secondary glaucoma that is characterized by proliferation of fibrovascular tissue in the anterior chamber angle. This condition may be acutely aggravated by carotid revascularization therapies. There have been few previous reports of acute aggravation of neovascular glaucoma following carotid artery stenting. We report the case history of a patient who had acute exacerbation of neovascular glaucoma following carotid artery stenting and required surgical management.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Following Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: An incidental finding of unruptured aneurysm, which is a contraindication to the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), is common in patients with acute ischemic strokes. However, reports describing the rupture of intracranial aneurysm following the administration of rtPA are extremely rare. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old man presented to the emergency room with global aphasia. A computed tomography (CT) of the brain revealed no intracranial hemorrhage. Since global aphasia occurred in an hour, rtPA was administrated intravenously. A CT angiography was performed 2 hours after an infusion of rtPA, which despite the absence of neurological deterioration and blood pressure surge, revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the right cerebral hemisphere, in addition to a 3-mm saccular aneurysm with a bleb in the right middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage can develop following the infusion of rtPA. Hence, unruptured aneurysm may not simply be an “incidental finding” in stroke patients receiving rtPA.

Deep into the Brain: Artificial Intelligence in Stroke Imaging / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Artificial intelligence (AI), a computer system aiming to mimic human intelligence, is gaining increasing interest and is being incorporated into many fields, including medicine. Stroke medicine is one such area of application of AI, for improving the accuracy of diagnosis and the quality of patient care. For stroke management, adequate analysis of stroke imaging is crucial. Recently, AI techniques have been applied to decipher the data from stroke imaging and have demonstrated some promising results. In the very near future, such AI techniques may play a pivotal role in determining the therapeutic methods and predicting the prognosis for stroke patients in an individualized manner. In this review, we offer a glimpse at the use of AI in stroke imaging, specifically focusing on its technical principles, clinical application, and future perspectives.

Prognostic Significance of Troponin Elevation for Long-Term Mortality after Ischemic Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Troponin, a marker of myocardial injury, frequently increases and is related with poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients. However, the long-term outcome of this elevation remains uncertain. We, therefore, investigated the prognostic significance of troponin elevation for long-term mortality, and explored factors affecting troponin elevation after ischemic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical data of stroke patients who were admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset and underwent a serum cardiac troponin I test at admission during a five-year period. Information on mortality as the outcome was obtained from the National Death Certificate system. RESULTS: A total of 1,692 patients were eligible for inclusion with 33 months of median follow-up. Troponin elevation that exceeded the 99th percentile (>0.04 ng/mL) of values was detected in 166 patients (9.8%). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, troponin elevation was associated with previous ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure, comorbid atrial fibrillation and active cancer, and increased National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Patients with troponin elevation had a high risk of overall death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–2.40), including stroke-related (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.14–2.55), cardiac-related (HR 3.17, 95% CI 1.49–6.74), and cancer-related (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.14–3.45) death than those without troponin elevation. CONCLUSIONS: Troponin elevation in the acute stage of ischemic stroke was associated with long-term mortality, mainly due to increased stroke- and cancer-related death in the first year and cardiacrelated death in the later period.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Decrease In-Hospital Delay for Stroke Thrombolysis / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Decreasing the time delay for thrombolysis, including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with tissue plasminogen activator and intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT), is critical for decreasing the morbidity and mortality of patients experiencing acute stroke. We aimed to decrease the in-hospital delay for both IVT and IAT through a multidisciplinary approach that is feasible 24 h/day. METHODS: We implemented the Stroke Alert Team (SAT) on May 2, 2016, which introduced hospital-initiated ambulance prenotification and reorganized in-hospital processes. We compared the patient characteristics, time for each step of the evaluation and thrombolysis, thrombolysis rate, and post-thrombolysis intracranial hemorrhage from January 2014 to August 2016. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients received thrombolysis (198 before SAT; 47 after SAT). The median door-to-CT, door-to-MRI, and door-to-laboratory times decreased to 13 min, 37.5 min, and 8 min, respectively, after SAT implementation (P<0.001). The median door-to-IVT time decreased from 46 min (interquartile range [IQR] 36–57 min) to 20.5 min (IQR 15.8–32.5 min; P<0.001). The median door-to-IAT time decreased from 156 min (IQR 124.5–212.5 min) to 86.5 min (IQR 67.5–102.3 min; P<0.001). The thrombolysis rate increased from 9.8% (198/2,012) to 15.8% (47/297; P=0.002), and the post-thrombolysis radiological intracranial hemorrhage rate decreased from 12.6% (25/198) to 2.1% (1/47; P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: SAT significantly decreased the in-hospital delay for thrombolysis, increased thrombolysis rate, and decreased post-thrombolysis intracranial hemorrhage. Time benefits of SAT were observed for both IVT and IAT and during office hours and after-hours.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Cerebral Microinfarcts after Carotid Endarterectomy and the Relevance of Delayed Cerebral Infarction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is performed to prevent cerebral infarction, but a common side effect is cerebral microinfarcts. This study aimed to identify the variables related to the production of microinfarcts during CEA as well as determine their association with delayed postoperative infarction. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of data collected prospectively from 548 patients who underwent CEA. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the incidence rates and causes of microinfarcts were analyzed. Microinfarcts were diagnosed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of delayed postoperative infarction was compared between microinfarct-positive and microinfarct-negative groups. RESULTS: In total, 76 (13.86%) patients were diagnosed with microinfarcts. Preoperative neurological symptoms were significantly related to the incidence of microinfarcts [odds ratio (OR)=2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.72–5.00, p<0.001]. Shunt insertion during CEA was the only significant procedure-related risk factor (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.00–2.19, p=0.05). The presence of microinfarcts did not significantly increase the incidence of delayed postoperative infarction (p=0.204). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, risk factors for microinfarcts after CEA included preoperative symptoms and intraoperative shunt insertion. Microinfarcts were not associated with delayed postoperative infarction.

Role of Perfusion-Weighted Imaging in a Diffusion-Weighted-Imaging-Negative Transient Ischemic Attack

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The absence of acute ischemic lesions in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients makes it difficult to diagnose the true vascular etiologies. Among patients with DWI-negative TIA, we investigated whether the presence of a perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) abnormality implied a true vascular event by identifying new acute ischemic lesions in follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in areas corresponding to the initial PWI abnormality. METHODS: The included patients underwent DWI and PWI within 72 hours of TIA and also follow-up DWI at 3 days after the initial MRI. These patients had visited the emergency room between July 2009 and May 2015. Patients who demonstrated initial DWI lesions were excluded. The initial PWI abnormalities in the corresponding vascular territory were visually classified into three patterns: no abnormality, focal abnormality, and territorial abnormality. RESULTS: No DWI lesions were evident in initial MRI in 345 of the 443 TIA patients. Follow-up DWI was applied to 87 of these 345 DWI-negative TIA patients. Initial PWI abnormalities were significantly associated with follow-up DWI abnormalities: 8 of 43 patients with no PWI abnormalities (18.6%) had new ischemic lesions, whereas 13 of 16 patients with focal perfusion abnormalities (81.2%) had new ischemic lesions in the areas of initial PWI abnormalities [odds ratio (OR)=15.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.6–62.9], and 14 of 28 patients with territorial perfusion abnormalities (50%) had new lesions (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.2–11.5). CONCLUSIONS: PWI is useful in defining whether or not the transient neurological symptoms in DWI-negative TIA are true vascular events, and will help to improve the understanding of the pathomechanism of TIA.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Large Disease Burden but Less Therapeutic Progress / 대한뇌졸중학회지

No abstract available.

Reduction of Midline Shift Following Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemicraniectomy is a decompressive surgery used to remove a large bone flap to allow edematous brain tissue to bulge extracranially. However, early indicators of the decompressive effects of hemicraniectomy are unclear. We investigated whether reduction of midline shift following hemicraniectomy is associated with improved consciousness and survival in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions. METHODS: We studied 70 patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions (MMI) who underwent hemicraniectomies. Midline shift was measured preoperatively and postoperatively using computed tomography (CT). Consciousness level was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale on postoperative day 1. Patient survival was assessed six months after stroke onset. RESULTS: The median time interval between preoperative and postoperative CT was 8.3 hours (interquartile range, 6.1–10.2 hours). Reduction in midline shift was associated with higher postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores (P<0.05). Forty-three patients (61.4%) were alive at six months after the stroke. Patients with reductions in midline shifts following hemicraniectomy were more likely to be alive at six months post-stroke than those without (P<0.001). Reduction of midline shift was associated with lower mortality at six months after stroke, after adjusting for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and preoperative midline shift (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.81; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in midline shift following hemicraniectomy was associated with improved consciousness and six-month survival in patients with MMI. Hence, it may be an early indicator of effective decompression following hemicraniectomy.

A Retrospective 10-Year, Single-Institution Study of Carotid Endarterectomy with a Focus on Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study evaluated the outcome following surgery for carotid artery stenosis in a single institution during a 10-year period and the relevance of aging to access to surgery. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2010, 649 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) were performed in 596 patients for internal carotid artery occlusive disease at our institution; 596 patients received unilateral CEAs and 53 patients received bilateral CEAs. Data regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities, stroke, mortality, restenosis, and other surgical complications were obtained from a review of medical records. Since elderly and high-risk patients comprise a significant proportion of the patient group undergoing CEAs, differences in comorbidity and mortality were evaluated according to age when the patients were divided into three age groups: or =80 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the included patients was 67.5 years, and 88% were men. Symptomatic carotid stenosis was observed in 65.7% of patients. The rate of perioperative stroke and death (within 30 days of the procedure) was 1.84%. The overall mortality rate was higher among patients in the 70-79 years and >80 years age groups than among those in the <70 years age group, but there was no significant difference in stroke-related mortality among these three groups. CONCLUSIONS: CEA over a 10-year period has yielded acceptable outcomes in terms of stroke and mortality. Therefore, since CEA is a safe and effective strategy, it can be performed in elderly patients with acceptable life expectancy.