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Purpose@#While symptomatic basilar artery (BA) stenosis is associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke or death, there is no consensus on the management of these patients who are refractory to antiplatelet therapy. This study retrospectively assesses the outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for symptomatic BA stenosis. @*Materials and Methods@#We conducted a retrospective review of patients with symptomatic BA stenosis who underwent EVT, including angioplasty or stenting, from 2006 to 2018. A total of 15 patients, who experienced transient ischemic attacks or strokes despite dual antiplatelet therapy, were included. EVT was performed under local anesthesia after pretreatment with antiplatelet medications. Angiographic follow-up was performed at 12 and 24 months post-EVT. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). @*Results@#EVT was successfully completed in all patients. Peri/post-procedural complications occurred in 33% of cases, including in-stent thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, and pontine infarction. At long-term follow-up (mean 98.5±80.5 months), 73.3% of patients achieved a favorable functional outcome (mRS≤2) without disability or mortality. Patients with unfavorable outcomes had previous infarcts, with 2 experiencing new pontine infarctions after stenting. @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that EVT, including angioplasty and stenting, may offer promise as a treatment option for symptomatic BA stenosis refractory to medical therapy. However, the procedure carries a notable risk of complications, especially in patients with severe stenosis and previous infarcts. Careful patient selection, based on clinical and radiological criteria, is crucial.
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Purpose@#To analyze trends in mortality rates from hemorrhagic stroke (HS) according to HS subtypes, using nationwide data from January 2012 to December 2020. @*Materials and Methods@#We used data from the National Health Claims Database provided by the National Health Insurance Service for 2012–2020 using the International Classification of Disease. The age-adjusted mortality rates of HS, which included subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), were calculated, and additional analyses were conducted according to age and sex. @*Results@#The age-adjusted mortality rates for HS, SAH, and ICH decreased substantially in both sexes between 2012 and 2020. During the study period, mortality rates for HS decreased from 8.87 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants to 6.27 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Regarding SAH, mortality rates decreased from 3.72 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants to 2.57 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Concerning ICH, mortality rates decreased from 6.91 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants to 4.75 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The average annual percentage change for HS, SAH, and ICH was –0.04, –0.04, and –0.05, respectively. Mortality rates from HS, SAH, and ICH in both sexes decreased from 2012 to 2020 in all age groups. @*Conclusion@#In Korea, the age-adjusted mortality rate of HS, SAH, and ICH demonstrated a declining trend in both sexes and across all age groups. These results may aid in the design and improvement of preventive strategies.
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Purpose@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the emergency medical care system worldwide. We analyzed the changes in the management of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and compared the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras. @*Materials and Methods@#From March to October of the COVID-19 era (2020), 83 consecutive patients with ICH were admitted to four comprehensive stroke centers. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients and compared the treatment workflow metrics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes with the patients admitted during the same period of pre-COVID-19 era (2017–2019). @*Results@#Three hundred thirty-eight patients (83 in COVID-19 era and 255 in pre-COVID-19 era) were included in this study. Symptom onset/detection-to-door time [COVID-19; 56.0 min (34.0–106.0), pre-COVID-19; 40.0 min (27.0–98.0), p=0.016] and median door to-intensive treatment time differed between the two groups [COVID-19; 349.0 min (177.0–560.0), pre-COVID-19; 184.0 min (134.0–271.0), p<0.001]. Hematoma expansion was detected more significantly in the COVID-19 era (39.8% vs. 22.1%, p=0.002). At 3-month follow-up, clinical outcomes of patients were worse in the COVID-19 era (Good modified Rankin Scale; 33.7% in COVID-19, 46.7% in pre-COVID-19, p=0.039). @*Conclusion@#During the COVID-19 era, delays in management of ICH was associated with hematoma expansion and worse outcomes.
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Objective@#: Distinguishing between an infundibulum and a true aneurysm is clinically important. This study aimed to evaluate whether using source image based new three-dimensional rotational angiography (S-n3DRA) can increase the rate of aneurysm detection and improve distinction between a true aneurysm and an infundibulum. @*Methods@#: Twenty-two consecutive patients with 23 lesions, were evaluated by time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), S-n3DRA, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The data were retrospectively and independently reviewed by two neurointerventionists, and the diagnoses based on TOF MRA, S-n3DRA, and DSA were compared. The diagnostic efficacy (interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance) of S-n3DRA was compared with that of TOF MRA. @*Results@#: S-n3DRA showed higher interobserver agreement (κ=0.923) than TOF MRA (κ=0.465) and significantly higher accuracy than MRA in distinguishing an aneurysm from an infundibulum (p=0.0039). @*Conclusion@#: Compared to MRA, S-n3DRA could provide better screening accuracy and information for distinguishing an aneurysm from an infundibulum. Therefore, S-n3DRA has the potential to reduce the need for DSA.
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Objective@#: Extremely low alanine transaminase (ALT) levels are associated with all-cause mortality in frail elderly individuals; the clinical significance of ALT as a reliable biomarker is now being considered. Predicting mortality with routine tests at the time of diagnosis is important for managing patients after intracranial hemorrhage. We aimed to investigate whether an extremely low ALT level is associated with mortality in the elderly after intracranial hemorrhage. @*Methods@#: A retrospective review was performed on 455 patients with intracranial hemorrhage admitted to a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital from February 2014 to May 2019. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for all ages and for each age group to determine whether an extremely low ALT level is an independent predictor of mortality only in the elderly. @*Results@#: Overall, 294 patients were enrolled, and the mean age of the subjects was 59.1 years, with 99 (33.8%) aged ≥65 years. The variables associated with all-cause mortality in all subjects were age, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, hemoglobin (Hb) levels (<11 g/dL), and initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores. In young patients, CRP, low Hb levels, and initial GCS scores were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. However, in the elderly (≥65 years), the variables significantly associated with allcause mortality were extremely low levels of ALT (<10 U/L) (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.313; 95% confidence interval, 1.232–8.909; p=0.018) and initial GCS scores. @*Conclusion@#: Extremely low ALT level (<10 U/L) at the time of diagnosis is a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality in the elderly after intracranial hemorrhage.
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Purpose@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the emergency medical care system worldwide. We analyzed the changes in the management of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and compared the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras. @*Materials and Methods@#From March to October of the COVID-19 era (2020), 83 consecutive patients with ICH were admitted to four comprehensive stroke centers. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients and compared the treatment workflow metrics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes with the patients admitted during the same period of pre-COVID-19 era (2017–2019). @*Results@#Three hundred thirty-eight patients (83 in COVID-19 era and 255 in pre-COVID-19 era) were included in this study. Symptom onset/detection-to-door time [COVID-19; 56.0 min (34.0–106.0), pre-COVID-19; 40.0 min (27.0–98.0), p=0.016] and median door to-intensive treatment time differed between the two groups [COVID-19; 349.0 min (177.0–560.0), pre-COVID-19; 184.0 min (134.0–271.0), p<0.001]. Hematoma expansion was detected more significantly in the COVID-19 era (39.8% vs. 22.1%, p=0.002). At 3-month follow-up, clinical outcomes of patients were worse in the COVID-19 era (Good modified Rankin Scale; 33.7% in COVID-19, 46.7% in pre-COVID-19, p=0.039). @*Conclusion@#During the COVID-19 era, delays in management of ICH was associated with hematoma expansion and worse outcomes.
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Objective@#: Distinguishing between an infundibulum and a true aneurysm is clinically important. This study aimed to evaluate whether using source image based new three-dimensional rotational angiography (S-n3DRA) can increase the rate of aneurysm detection and improve distinction between a true aneurysm and an infundibulum. @*Methods@#: Twenty-two consecutive patients with 23 lesions, were evaluated by time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), S-n3DRA, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The data were retrospectively and independently reviewed by two neurointerventionists, and the diagnoses based on TOF MRA, S-n3DRA, and DSA were compared. The diagnostic efficacy (interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance) of S-n3DRA was compared with that of TOF MRA. @*Results@#: S-n3DRA showed higher interobserver agreement (κ=0.923) than TOF MRA (κ=0.465) and significantly higher accuracy than MRA in distinguishing an aneurysm from an infundibulum (p=0.0039). @*Conclusion@#: Compared to MRA, S-n3DRA could provide better screening accuracy and information for distinguishing an aneurysm from an infundibulum. Therefore, S-n3DRA has the potential to reduce the need for DSA.
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Objective@#: Extremely low alanine transaminase (ALT) levels are associated with all-cause mortality in frail elderly individuals; the clinical significance of ALT as a reliable biomarker is now being considered. Predicting mortality with routine tests at the time of diagnosis is important for managing patients after intracranial hemorrhage. We aimed to investigate whether an extremely low ALT level is associated with mortality in the elderly after intracranial hemorrhage. @*Methods@#: A retrospective review was performed on 455 patients with intracranial hemorrhage admitted to a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital from February 2014 to May 2019. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for all ages and for each age group to determine whether an extremely low ALT level is an independent predictor of mortality only in the elderly. @*Results@#: Overall, 294 patients were enrolled, and the mean age of the subjects was 59.1 years, with 99 (33.8%) aged ≥65 years. The variables associated with all-cause mortality in all subjects were age, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, hemoglobin (Hb) levels (<11 g/dL), and initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores. In young patients, CRP, low Hb levels, and initial GCS scores were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. However, in the elderly (≥65 years), the variables significantly associated with allcause mortality were extremely low levels of ALT (<10 U/L) (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.313; 95% confidence interval, 1.232–8.909; p=0.018) and initial GCS scores. @*Conclusion@#: Extremely low ALT level (<10 U/L) at the time of diagnosis is a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality in the elderly after intracranial hemorrhage.
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Purpose@#In Korea, endovascular treatment (EVT) for intracranial aneurysms (IAs) has increased steadily. We conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate the current status of EVT for IAs and to identify treatment preference in the real world. @*Materials and Methods@#A Google online survey was distributed to representative clinicians at hospitals treating IAs, where members of Korean Society of Interventional Neuroradiology (KSIN). The data was collected from October 2017 to December 2017. The responding hospitals were divided into 2 groups (tertiary and non-tertiary hospitals). And variable factors involved in decision making for treatment were evaluated. @*Results@#In total, 73 hospitals (tertiary: 37, non-tertiary: 36) responded to the survey. Most hospitals that responded had over 100 cases of diagnostic angiography (93%) and over 50 cases of EVT for IAs (74%) performed in 2016. The proportion of EVT for ruptured aneurysms in non-tertiary hospitals was significantly higher than tertiary hospitals (49% vs. 9%). The proportion of EVT for unruptured aneurysms at non-tertiary hospitals was significantly higher than tertiary hospitals (66% vs. 44%). Most physicians tended to make decision for treatment on location, shape, and size of unruptured IAs and patients’ age, more than the results from previous clinical trials for unruptured IAs. Although EVT was preferred for older patients (age >70) with unruptured IAs (99%), surgical clipping was still considered as the first treatment of choice for younger patients (age 30 to 50 years) at considerable rates (56%). Over two-thirds of respondents preferred surgical clipping for middle cerebral artery aneurysms, while EVT was preferred initially at other locations. @*Conclusion@#This nationwide survey showed that EVT is considered as the first treatment modality for IAs and there is a discrepancy between current guidelines and real-world practice for decision making of treatment options.
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OBJECTIVE: We aimed to introduce our method involving prepuncture ultrasound scan for cannulation of the common femoral artery (CFA) during transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA), and to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study included 90 patients who underwent prepuncture ultrasound examination of the inguinal area for TFCA between April 2015 and June 2015. Prior to skin preparation and draping of the inguinal area, we identified the CFA and its bifurcation using ultrasound. Based on the ultrasound findings, we marked cruciate lines in the inguinal area. Thereafter, we inserted a puncture needle at the interface between the horizontal and vertical lines at a 30–45° angle, simultaneously palpating the pulsation of the femoral artery. After TFCA was completed, femoral artery angiography was performed in the anteroposterior and oblique directions. Clinical and radiological parameters, including CFA cannulation, the ultrasound scan time, the first pass success rate, the time required for the passage of the wire, and complications, were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean ultrasound scan time of the CFA and its bifurcation was 72.6 seconds, and the mean time between administration of local anesthesia and wire passage was 67.44 seconds. The first pass success rate was 77.8% (70/90 patients), and the CFA puncture rate was 98.8% (89/90 patients). Although minor complications were noted in 7 patients, no patient reported serious complications (a large hematoma [≥ 5 cm], pseudoaneurysms, dissection, and/or a retroperitoneal hematoma.) CONCLUSION: Prepuncture ultrasound examination might be a simple, safe, and accurate technique for cannulation of the CFA during TFCA.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anesthesia, Local , Aneurysm, False , Angiography , Catheterization , Cerebral Angiography , Femoral Artery , Hematoma , Methods , Needles , Punctures , Skin , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: There are few studies of osteoporotic burst fractures with spinal canal compromise that were treated with kyphoplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and the safety of kyphoplasty for the treatment of thoracolumbar spine osteoporotic burst fractures without neurological deficits and to investigate predictors that can improve the effectiveness of this treatment. METHODS: From October 2004 until December 2010, 79 osteoporotic burst fracture patients with asymptomatic spinal canal compromise were treated by kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty involved injecting polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) from the anterior one-third of the vertebral body into the posterior one-third of the vertebral body. PMMA powder and liquid were mixed in a ratio of 1:3 at 21-23degrees C. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scores (VAS), kyphotic angles, the heights of the vertebral body, and the degrees of spinal canal compromise were analyzed. The relationships between the factors and the VAS difference between the preoperative and postoperative states were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean postoperative VAS, the postoperative kyphotic angle, the vertebral body height measurement from the anterior and the middle of the body were significantly improved after kyphoplasty (p<0.05). Postoperatively, the mean VAS was restored from 7.35 to 2.11, the postoperative kyphotic angle was restored from 18.21degrees to 12.08degrees, the vertebral body height measurement from the anterior of the body was from 18.56mm to 23.54mm and the middle of the body was from 24.81mm to 27.90mm. Among the variables, only the duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was implicated as a factor in the outcome (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty is a very effective and safe therapeutic modality for the treatment of osteoporotic burst fractures without neurological deficits. The standardization of this procedure helps to avoid complications. In the acute stages, early treatment is more effective for the reduction of pain. Further investigation is warranted in order to assess the effectiveness of early surgery in improving outcome.
Subject(s)
Humans , Body Height , Kyphoplasty , Osteoporotic Fractures , Polymethyl Methacrylate , Spinal Canal , SpineABSTRACT
Bilateral traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae (TCCFs) is rarely encountered neurovascular disease. For treatment of TCCF, detachable balloons have been widely used. Nowadays, transarterial and/or transvenous coil embolization with placement of covered stents is adopted as another treatment method. We experienced a patient with a bilateral TCCFs who was successfully treated with covered stents. However, cerebral hemorrhage occurred in the bed of previous infarction one day after treatment. Hyperperfusion syndrome was considered as a possible cause of the hemorrhage, so that barbiturate coma therapy was started and progression of hemorrhage was stopped. We emphasize that cerebral hyperperfusion hemorrhage can occur even after successful endovascular treatment of TCCF.