Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke: a 10-year follow-up study / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the long-term death of patients with ischemic stroke and its influencing factors.Methods:Based on the data of patients with ischemic stroke in the multi-center oral fibrinogen-lowering drug secondary prevention database, the follow-up patient information and the cause of death were registered through the epidemiological investigation method, and then compared with the baseline data of patients in the original database.Results:A total of 278 patients completed the follow-up, and 166 were in lumbrokinase group and 112 were in control group. There were 124 deaths (44.6%) within 10 years, of which 92 (74.2%) were vascular deaths. In the lumbrokinase group, 74 patients (44.6%) died of all causes and 55 (33.1%) died of vascular diseases; in the control group, 50 (44.6%) died of all causes and 37 (33.0%) died of vascular diseases. Cox proportional risk model analysis showed that lumbrokinase treatment had no significant effect on the 10-year survival rate of patients with ischemic stroke. The analysis of death influencing factors showed that the baseline international normalized ratio (INR) was significantly associated with the 10-year non-vascular death risk of patients (hazard ratio [ HR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.21-3.25; P=0.006). The greater the decrease of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within half a year, the lower the 10-year all-cause mortality risk ( HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99; P=0.011); the greater the decrease in INR within one year , the lower the 10-year vascular death risk ( HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17-0.96; P=0.040); the greater the decrease of D-dimer within one year , the higher the risk of the 10-year vascular death ( HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.83; P=0.034). The greater the decrease of INR in patients with ischemic stroke within one year, the higher the 10-year non-vascular death risk ( HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.29-3.59; P=0.004). Conclusions:The 10-year mortality rate of patients with ischemic stroke is higher, and about 3/4 are vascular deaths. The fibrinogen-lowering treatment in the acute stage has no significant effect on the 10-year all-cause mortality of patients with ischemic stroke. The greater the decrease of tPA in half a year, the lower the all-cause mortality; the greater the decrease of D-dimer level at baseline and within 1 year, the higher the 10-year vascular death; the greater the decrease of INR at baseline and within 1 year, the higher the 10-year non-vascular death risk.

Cognitive impairment in patient with intracerebral hemorrhage / 国际脑血管病杂志

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a cerebrovascular disease with higher mortality and disability. Compared with ischemic stroke, there is less research on cognitive impairment related to intracerebral hemorrhage. Cognitive impairment related to intracerebral hemorrhage can be divided into cognitive impairment before intracerebral hemorrhage and acute-term and long-term cognitive impairment after intracerebral hemorrhage. This article reviews the incidence, risk factors, possible pathogenesis and treatment of cognitive impairment related to intracerebral hemorrhage.

Renal function and brain frailty in patients with mild stroke or transient ischemic attack / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between peripheral blood renal function indexes and brain frailty imaging score in patients with mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods:Patients with mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2018 to August 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. General clinical data and peripheral blood renal function indexes, including urea, uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were collected. eGFR <60 ml/(min·1.73 m 2) was used to reflect chronic kidney disease. According to the findings of MRI examination, the imaging score of cerebral frailty was performed. When there were white matter lesions, brain atrophy and lacunar infarction/lacuna, 1 point was given, and the total score was 3. Ordinal multi-class logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between renal function indexes and brain frailty imaging score in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between renal function indexes and brain frailty imaging score >1. Results:A total of 204 patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA were enrolled during the study. Their average age was 64.82 years old and 78 (38.2%) were females. There were 28 cases (13.73%), 70 cases (34.31%), 63 cases (30.88%) and 43 cases (21.08%) with brain frailty imaging scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. One hundred and six patients (51.96%) were in the brain frailty imaging score >1 group and 98 (48.04%) were in the ≤1 group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, diabetes mellitus, eGFR, eGFR classification, homocysteine, intracranial vascular stenosis, stroke etiology classification and vascular distribution between the group with brain frailty imaging score >1 and those with brain frailty imaging score ≤1 (all P<0.05). Ordinal multi-class logistic regression analysis showed that urea (odds ratio [ OR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.51-0.89, P=0.005) and eGFR ( OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99; P=0.004) were significantly and independently correlated with brain frailty imaging score. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that eGFR was significantly and independently correlated with brain frailty imaging score >1 ( OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00; P=0.016). However, urea, uric acid and eGFR classification were not independently correlated with brain frailty imaging score or brain frailty imaging score >1. Conclusion:Blood urea and eGFR are correlated with the brain frailty imaging score in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA.

Predictive value of plasma lipocalin-2 for the clinical outcome of patients with acute minor ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of plasma lipocalin-2 (LCN2) for the clinical outcome of patients with acute minor ischemic stroke (MIS).Methods:Consecutive patients with acute MIS admitted to the Department of Neurology, Shengze Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from October 9, 2017 to August 17, 2018 were selected prospectively. On the day of admission, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate the degree of neurological impairment. The modified Rankin Scale was used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 90 d after the onset, and 0-1 was defined as a good outcome. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between plasma LCN2 and clinical outcome. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of plasma LCN2 for the clinical outcome of patients. Results:A total of 71 patients (68.99±11.24 years old) were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients were male (64.8%). The median plasma LCN2 was 117.7 μg/L (interquartile range, 61.2-738.4 μg/L). Fifty-six patients (78.9%) had good outcomes, and 15 (21.1%) had poor outcomes. The age, baseline NIHSS score, plasma C-reactive protein and LCN2 of the good outcome group were significantly lower than those of the poor outcome group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plasma LCN2 ≤117.7 μg/L (odds ratio 8.574, 95% confidence interval 1.755-41.874; P=0.008) and lower baseline NIHSS scores (for increasing by 1 point: odds ratio 0.396, 95% confidence interval 0.214-0.732; P=0.003) were independently related to good outcome. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for plasma LCN2 to predict a good outcome was 0.814 (95% confidence interval 0.709-0.918); the best cut-off value was 128.55 μg/L, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 69.6% and 80.0%, respectively. Conclusions:Plasma LCN2 had a good predictive value for the clinical outcome of patients with acute MIS at 90 d after the onset.

Predictors of 90 d death after endovascular mechanical thrombectomy in patients with anterior circulation stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for 90 d death after endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute anterior circulation large-artery occlusive stroke.Methods:From October 2015 to March 2018, patients with acute anterior circulation large-artery occlusive stroke treated with MT in People's Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled retrospectively. The primary outcome events were defined as death within 90 d after operation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the independent risk factors for death within 90 d after operation. Results:A total of 116 patients were enrolled, 23 (19.8%) of them died within 90 d after operation. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS), and the proportion of the baseline NIHSS score classification (≤8, 9-15, ≥16), ASPECTS ≤7, the number of attempts to pass >3 times, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) blood flow grade 2b/3, hemorrhagic transformation (HT), and symptomatic HT in the death group compared with the survival group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that after adjusting for age, fasting blood glucose, baseline NIHSS score, number of attempts to pass >3, and mTICI grade 2b/3, lower ASPECTS (odds ratio [ OR] 0.647, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.456-0.917; P=0.014), longer time from onset to vascular recanalization ( OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.000-1.007; P=0.046) and symptomatic HT ( OR 13.522, 95% CI 2.719-67.258; P=0.001) were the independent predictors of death within 90 d. Conclusion:The ASPECTS, time from onset to recanalization, and symptomatic HT were the independent risk factors for death within 90 d after MT in patients with acute anterior circulation large-artery occlusive stroke.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for bilateral pontine infarction:comparison with unilateral pontine infarction / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To compare and analyze the etiology,clinical manifestations and imaging differences of bilateral pontine infarction (BPI) and unilateral pontine infarction (UPI),and investigate the possible independent risk factors for BPI.Methods Consecutive patients with pontine infarction admitted to the Department of Neurology,the First People's Hospital of Kunshan from January 2015 to December 2017 were enrolled retrospectively.They were divided into BPI group and UPI group.The risk factors,laboratory findings,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores,clinical manifestations,and basilar artery lesions were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for BPI relative to UPI.Results A total of 131 patients with pontine infarction were enrolled,aged 66.22 ± 12.29 years,97 patients (72.52％) were male;14 (10.69％) were BPI,and 117 (89.31％) were UPI.In terms of clinical symptoms,consciousness disorder (35.71％ vs.6.83％;x2 =8.657,P =0.003),quadriplegia (50.00％ vs.5.12％;x2 =30.202,P ＜ 0.001),and dysphagia (71.42％ vs.29.91％;x2 =7.804,P =0.005) in the BPI group were more common than those in the UPI group.In terms of etiological classification,vertebrobasilar large artery disease (VLAD) was more common in the BPI group (85.71％ vs.27.35％;x2 =16.567,P ＜ 0.001),while small artery disease (SAD) was more common in the UPI group (49.57％ vs.7.14％;x2 =7.460,P =0.006).In addition,the baseline NIHSS scores (12.43 ±11.1 vs.3.78 ±3.98;t=2.873,P=0.013),white blood cell count ([9.21±2.81] ×109/L vs.[6.92± 2.40] ×109/L;t=3.191,P=0.002),baseline systolic blood pressure (170.57 ±31.21 mmHg vs.156.75 ±23.50 mmHg,1 mmHg =0.133 kPa;t =2.004,P =0.047),as well as the proportion of patients with severe stenosis or occlusion in basilar artery (78.57％ vs.8.55％;x2 =40.49,P ＜ 0.001) and with other site infarction (78.57 ％ vs.11.11％;x2 =33.652,P ＜ 0.001) in the BPI group were significantly higher than those in the UPI group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that severe basilar artery stenosis or occlusion (odds ratio [OR] 20.195,95％ confidence interval [CI]2.308-176.703;P =0.007),baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.147,95％ CI 1.019-1.292;P =0.023),and infarction at other sites (OR 19.483,95％ CI 2.969-127.868;P =0.002) were independently associated with BPI.Conclusion Compared with UPI,patients with BPI had more severe clinical symptoms and most of them with other site infarction.Severe stenosis or occlusion of the basilar artery was an independent risk factor for BPI.

Relationship between climatic factors and cerebral hemorrhagic disease / 中华老年心脑血管病杂志

Objective To study the relationship between climatic factors and cerebral hemorrhagic disease.Methods A total of 1125 cerebral hemorrhage patients were included in this study.The relationship between the onset time of cerebral hemorrhage and daily climatice factors (including temperature,humidity,atmospheric pressure,wind direction and rainfall volume) was analyzed and the onset time of cerebral hemorrhage in each patient was analyzed according to the X2 test for goodness of fit.Results The number of male cerebral hemorrhagy patients was greater than that of female cerebral hemorrhage patients.The mean age of femalc cerebral hemorrhage patients was older than that of male cerebral hemorrhage patients (P＜0.01).The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage accounted for 11％ in January in a greatest number of such patients,accounted for 5.0％ in September in a smallest number of such paticnts,and was the highest at h 4-8 AM and at h 16-20 FM in ≤45 years old cerebral hemorrhage patients.Univariate correlation analysis showed that cerebral hemorrhage was negatively related with daily mean temperature,daily mean maximal and minimal temperature (r=-0.157,r =-0.163,r=-0.156,P＜0.05),positively related with daily mean atmospheric pressure (r=0.157,P＜0.05).Multivariate linear stepwise analysis showed that cerebral hemorrhage was related with daily mean temperature,maximal and minimal temperature,and daily mean atmospheric pressure (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage differs in seasons and months,is higher in winter and lower in summer,and is thus related with temperature,atmospheric pressure and wind direction.

Effect of short-term exposure to atmospheric particulates on the risk of stroke onset: a meta-analysis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of short-term exposure to atmospheric particulates (PM10/PM2.5) on stroke risk.Methods The literature databases were retrieved.A Meta-analysis of the literature on atmospheric particulate matters and stroke onset met the inclusion criteria was conducted.Results A total of 42 articles were included.Meta-analysis showed that the PM10 increase per 10 μg/m3,the short-term risk of stroke increased 0.6％ (odds ratio [OR] 1.006,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.003-1.009);PM2.5 increase per 10 μg/m3,the short-term risk of stroke increased 1.3％ (OR 1.013,95％ CI 1.006-1.019).Subgroup analysis showed that the PM10 exposure was only associated with the increased risk of ischemic stroke (OR 1.025,95％ CI 1.010-1.041),and the PM2.5 exposure was only associated with the increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (OR 1.031,95％ CI 1.010-1.052).Conclusions In the short term,the increased PM10 or PM2.5 concentration is associated with the increased risk of stroke.PM2.5 caused the risk of stroke onset is higher than that of PM10.

Clinical features and outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients with remote symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis / 国际脑血管病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate clinical features and outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients with remote symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICHr) after intravenous thrombolysis.MethodsThe acute ischemic stroke patients with sICHr after intravenous thrombolysis therapy were enrolled retrospectively.The clinical data were collected and the related literature was analyzed and summarized.ResultsA total of 6 acute ischemic stroke patients with sICHr were enrolled, including 4 males.Three patients had a history of using antiplatelet agents, 2 with atrial fibrillation, 4 with hypertension, 3 with previous stroke history, 4 with smoking history, and 4 had sICHr at 2 h after intravenous thrombolysis.Of the 14 hemorrhagic foci (except in the infarct areas), 10 were in the cerebral cortex.Three patients died within 1 week, and 1 was in a persistent vegetative state.Conclusions SICHr after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke is mainly located in the cerebral cortex.The outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients with SICHr after intravenous thrombolysis are poor, and the mortality is high.

Effect of short-term exposure to atmospheric particulates on the risk of stroke onset: a meta-analysis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of short-term exposure to atmospheric particulates (PM10/PM2.5) on stroke risk.Methods The literature databases were retrieved.A Meta-analysis of the literature on atmospheric particulate matters and stroke onset met the inclusion criteria was conducted.Results A total of 42 articles were included.Meta-analysis showed that the PM10 increase per 10 μg/m3,the short-term risk of stroke increased 0.6％ (odds ratio [OR] 1.006,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.003-1.009);PM2.5 increase per 10 μg/m3,the short-term risk of stroke increased 1.3％ (OR 1.013,95％ CI 1.006-1.019).Subgroup analysis showed that the PM10 exposure was only associated with the increased risk of ischemic stroke (OR 1.025,95％ CI 1.010-1.041),and the PM2.5 exposure was only associated with the increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (OR 1.031,95％ CI 1.010-1.052).Conclusions In the short term,the increased PM10 or PM2.5 concentration is associated with the increased risk of stroke.PM2.5 caused the risk of stroke onset is higher than that of PM10.

"Effects of web-based PBL in the application of ""Fundamental Nursing""" / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective The study aimed to evaluate the effects of web-problem-based learning (WPBL) in the application of Fundamental Nursing.Methods The sample was purposively selected.172 students in School of Nursing in Tianjin were recruited as the control group (n=83) and the intervention group (n=89).Traditional teaching method and WPBL was implemented in the control group and the intervention group,respectively.The teaching effectiveness of the two groups was measured by the examination and learning initiative evaluation scale and the teaching effect evaluation questionnaire,and the teaching satisfaction questionnaire was implemented among the intervention group.SPSS 18.0 was used and t test was performed to analyze the comparison between groups.Results In the theoretical examination,the scores of comprehensive analysis of the nursing students in the intervention group were better than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).In the evaluation of active learning after school,the scores of control learning in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant ([14.78 ± 2.16),vs.(13.58 ± 2.16),t=-3.58,P=0.000].83 effective questionnaires of intervention group nursing students' teaching satisfaction were recovered.73 of them (88％) thought that WPBL could improve the students' ability of independent learning,71 students (85.5％) found that WPBL could enhance the ability of information processing,73 students (88％) thought they could communicate well with their classmates in WPBL and cooperate well to complete the task.Conclusion WPBL which is on the basis of PBL and make full use of the network,could promote the ability of autonomous learning,information processing and communication with classmates and good cooperation,but in the application process,it needs teachers to organize reasonably,perfect the supervision mechanism,and reduce taking up students' spare time.

Autophagy in atherosclerosis: a phenomenon found in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Autophagy has been found to be involved in animal and cell models of atherosclerosis, but to date, it lacks general observation in human atherosclerotic plaques. Here, we investigated autophagy in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells (ECs), and macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The histopathologic morphology of these plaques was observed via hematoxylin and eosin staining. The ultrastructural morphology of the SMCs, ECs, and macrophages in these plaques was observed via TEM. The localization of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1-LC3), a relatively special maker of autophagy, in plaques was observed by double fluorescent immunochemistry and western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of these human atherosclerotic plaques were considered advanced and unstable in histologically observation. By double fluorescent immunochemistry, the expression of LC3-II increased in the SMCs of the fibrous cap, the macrophages, and the microvascular ECs of the plaque shoulders. The protein level of LC3-II by western blotting significantly increased in plaques compared with normal controls. In addition, TEM observation of plaques revealed certain features of autophagy in SMCs, ECs, and macrophages including the formation of myelin figures, vacuolization, and the accumulation of inclusions in the cytosol. These results indicate that autophagy is activated in SMCs, ECs, and macrophages in human advanced atherosclerotic plaques.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our study is to demonstrate the existence of autophagy in human atherosclerotic plaques by different methods, which may contribute to the development of pharmacological approaches to stabilize vulnerable and rupture-prone lesions.</p>

Analysis of clinical characteristics of carotid steal syndrome / 国际脑血管病杂志

ObjectiveToanalyzetheclinicalandimagingcharacteristicsinpatientswithcarotidsteal syndrome ( CSS ) and to investigate its compensatory pathw ays, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods The medical history and imaging data of the patients with CSS were colected. Their vascular lesions, colateral circulation, treatment, and prognosis w ere analyzed. Results A total of 11 patients w ith CSS (8 males and 3 females, mean age 66.7 ±5.1 years) were enroled in the study. Their clinical manifestations were posterior circulation transient ischemic attack (TIA) ( n=9, 81.8%), posterior circulation infarction ( n=1, 9.1%), and anterior circulation TIA ( n=1, 9.1%). A total of 19 pathological arteries w ere found:12 (63.1%) w ith occlusion, 2 (10.5%) w ith subtotal occlusion, 4 (21.0%) w ith severe stenosis and 1 (5.2%) w ith artery dissection. Seven patients (63.6%) w ere bilateral internal carotid artery lesions, 3 (27.2%) w ere unilateral bilateral internal carotid artery lesions, and 1 (9.1%) w as bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Eleven patients had primary col ateral circulation, including posterior communicating artery patency in 10 patients (90.9%) and anterior communicating artery patency in 1 patient (9.1%). Four patients (36.3%) had secondary col ateral circulation and 1 (9.1%) had tertiary col ateral circulation. Al patients w ere treated w ith medication on the basis of the management of risk factors. Three patients w ere treated w ith stenting and tw o were treated with carotid endarterectomy. No stroke occurred in al patients during folow -up til September 2014. Conclusions The vascular lesions of patients w ith CSS often occur in the extracranial segment of internal carotid artery. Usual y the compensatory blood is through the circle of Wil is. The presentation is ischemia in the stolen arteries. Its diagnosis needs to be examined by digital subtraction angiography. On the basis of medication therapy, some patients may be treated w ith surgery or endovascular intervention.

Effect of plasma cystatin C on outcome of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of cystatin C (CysC) concentration on outcome of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods The consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled retrospectively.They were divided into a good outcome group (≤2) and a poor outcome group (＞2) according to the Rankin scale.They were also divided into a hemorrhagic transformation (HT) group and a non-HT group according to whether they had HT or not.Their demographic data and clinical data were compared.Results A total of 103 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled,44 in the good outcome group,59 in the poor outcome group; 23 in the TH group,and 80 in the non-HT group.The age (62.34 ± 13.41 years vs.68.09 ± 9.74 years; t-2.521,P =0.013),baseline CysC concentration (1.008±0.28 mg/L vs.1.27±0.86 mg/L; t=2.237,P=0.027),incidence of HT (14％ vs.34.9％; x2 =6.016,P =0.014) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (10.39 ± 3.11 vs.18 ±2.65; t =13.35,P ＜0.001) in the good outcome group were significantly lower than those in the poor outcome group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant independent correlation between CysC and clinical outcome (odds ratio 1.783,95％ confidence interval 0.443-7.185 ; P =0.416).The baseline CysC concentration (1.41 ± 0.54 mg/L vs.0.96± 0.18 mg/L; t =3.941,P=0.001) and the NIHSS score (15.96 ± 3.7 vs.13.05 ±4.87; t =3.017,P =0.004) in the non-HT group were significantly lower than those in the HT group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the plasma CysC concentration ＞ 1.03 mg/L (odds ratio 9.050,95％ confidence interval 2.384-34.359; P =0.001) was an independent risk factor for HT.Conclusions The increased baseline plasma CysC concentration was associated with the occurrence of HT in patients with acute ischemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis therapy,but it was not associated with the outcomes.

Influencing factors of hemorrhagic transformation and outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objeetive To investigate the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and the outcome as well as its influencing factors at 3 months after thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF were enrolled retrospectively.Their demography,vascular risk factors and other clinical data were collected.The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the outcome at 3 months after symptom onset.The mRS score ≤ 2 was defined as good outcome,and ＞ 2 was defined as poor outcome.Results A total of 119 acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF were enrolled,including 63 males (52.9％) and 56 females (47.1％); their mean age was 72.1± 10.0; 45 (37.81％) were treated with recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator (rtPA),55 (46.2％) had a good outcome and 27 (22.7％) combined with HT.Compared with the poor outcome group,the mean age was younger in the good outcome group (P =0.028).The proportions of the patients with ischemic heart disease and the time from onset to treatment ＞ 4.5 h were lower (P ＜0.05).The baseline systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure,as well as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were lower (P ＜0.05),while the proportion of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis with rtPA was higher (P =0.019).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the patients with ischemic heart disease (odds ratio [OR] 4.572,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.392-15.014; P =0.012),systolic blood pressure before treatment (OR 1.028,95％ CI 1.007-1.049; P =0.009),baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.058,95％ CI 1.002-1.117; P =0.042) were the independent risk factors for poor outcome,while intravenous thrombolysis with rtPA (CI 0.264,95％ CI 0.102-0.683; P =0.006) was an independent protective factor for poor outcome.The proportions of the baseline systolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose and NIHSS score,as well as the patients with a history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the HT group were significantly higher than those in the non-HT group (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.147,95％ CI 1.068-1.231; P＜0.001),baseline systolic blood pressure (OR 1.951,95％ CI 1.921-1.982; P =0.002),and blood glucose level (OR 1.191,95％ CI 1.095-1.294; P ＜ 0.001) were the independent risk factors for HT.Compared with the non-thrombolysis group,the mean age of the thrombolysis group was younger (P =0.021),the baseline systolic blood pressure,fasting glucose and NIHSS scores,as well as the proportions of patients with hyperlipidemia,previous stroke or TIA history,and using antihypertensive drugs before admission were higher (all P ＜ 0.05).The proportion of patients with ischemic heart disease were lower (P =0.035),but the proportion of the patients with a good outcome was higher (P =0.019).Conclusions Patients with ischemic heart disease,systolic blood pressure and higher baseline NIHSS score before treatment were the independent risk factors for poor outcome,while intravenous thrombolytic therapy with rtPA was an independent protective factor for poor outcome; the high baseline NIHSS score,baseline systolic blood pressure and glucose level were the independent risk factors for HT.For acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF,such as no obvious contraindications for thrombolytic therapy,might benefit from intravenous thrombolytic therapy,and it could not increase the risk of HT,but the blood pressure and glucose level of the patients should be controlled appropriately.

Carotid artery stent fracture / 国际脑血管病杂志

Carotid artery stent fracture (CASF) is a rare complication after carotid artery stenting (CAS).Its occurrence may be associated with vascular angulation,calcification,stent type,stent length,and overlapping.This article reviews the incidence,influencing factors,classification,consequences and treatment methods of CASF.

Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of ischemic stroke.Given the importance of the early diagnosis and intervention of atherosclerotic plaques,the use of molecular imaging techniques for early diagnosis of atherosclerosis has become a research focus in recent years.This article reviews the advances in research on molecular imaging in the aspect of early diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

Effect of orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 expression on oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis in cultured rots cerebellar granule neurons / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 expression on oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD)-induced apoptosis in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons and its possible mechanisms.Methods Primary rat cerebellar granule neurons were cultured for 7 to 8 days,and then treated with OGD.The activity of cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay,apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry,the expressions of NR4A1,caspase-3 and cytochrome c were determined by Western blot analysis,NR4A1 mRNA expression was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction.The rat cerebellar granule neurons were transfected with lentiviral vector-encoding rat NR4A1.The apoptotic rates and expressions of caspase-3 and cytochrome c in rat cerebellar granule neurons transfected with NR4A1 were detected after OGD.Results The activity of rat cerebellar granule neurons decreased significantly,the apoptotic rate increased significantly,the expressions of NR4A1 mRNA and protein as well as caspase-3 and cytochrome c incrased significantly along with the OGD time.NR4A1 was overexpressed,apoptosis rate was significantly reduced in rat cerebellar granule neurons transfected with NR4A1.The expressions of caspase-3 and cytochrome c were significantly reduced in the rat cerebellar granule neurons transfected with NR4A1 after OGD.Conclusions NR4A1 overexpression may reduce OGD-induced apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule neurons by downregulating the expressions of caspase-3 and cytochrome c.

Risk factors for posterior circulation stroke and imaging features:a retrospective case series study / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the major risk factors for posterior circulation stroke and the clinical and imaging features of posterior circulation stroke patients with diabetes.Methods The patients with acute cerebral infarction were enrolled.The clinical data of patients with posterior circulation and anterior circulation stroke were compared.The patients with posterior circulation stroke were further divided into either a diabetic group or a non-diabetic group,and the vascular risk factors and imaging features of both groups were compared.The patients with posterior circulation stroke were divided into proximal segment,middle segment and distal segment and mixed groups according to the distribution of vascular lesions.The correlations between diabetes and each group and the imaging features were analyzed.Results A total of 328 patients with posterior circulation stroke (male 194,the diabetic group 108) and 336 patients with anterior circulation stroke (male 214,the diabetes group 59)were enrolled.The proportions of patients with diabetes (32.9％ vs.21.7％ ; x2 =10.501,P =0.001),hyperlipidemia (60.1％ vs.47.9％ ;x2 =9.852,P =0.002),previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (29.0％ vs.22.0％ ;x2 =4.213,P =0.040) in the posterior circulation ischemic stroke group were significantly higher than those in the anterior circulation ischemic stroke group,and the proportion of smoking patients was significantly lower than that in the anterior circulation ischemic stroke group (18.3％ vs.26.2％ ; x2 =5.977,P =0.014).The levels of total cholesterol (4.72 ±1.07 mmol/L vs.4.56 ± 0.98 mmol/L; t =2.079,P =0.038),triglycerides (1.54 ± 1.07 mmol/L vs.1.33±0.71 mmol/L; t=3.085,P=0.002) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.91±0.90 mmol/L vs.2.75 ±0.80 mmol/L; t =2.373,P =0.018) were significantly higher than those in the anterior circulation ischemic stroke group,and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower than that in the anterior circulation ischemic stroke group (1.13 ± 0.31 mmol/L vs.1.18 ±0.32 mmol/L; t =2.045,P=0.041).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1.560,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.086-2.239; P =0.016) and previous stroke or TIA history (OR 1.455,95％ CI 1.013-2.090; P =0.042) were the independent risk factors for posterior circulation ischemic stroke.In patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke,the patient's proportions of hyperllpidemia (66.7％ vs.55.5％ ;x2 =5.069,P =0.024) and drinking (13.0％ vs.4.5％;x2 =7.568,P=0.006) in the diabetic group (n =108) were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group (n =220); the proportion of atrial fibrillation patients was significantly lower than that in the non-diabetic group (3.7％ vs.11.4％ ;x2 =5.274,P =0.022).The levels of triglycerides (1.70 ± 0.93 rnmol/L vs.1.45 ± 1.11 mmol/L; t =1.989,P =0.048),fasting glucose (8.46 ± 2.96) mmol/L vs.5.30± 0.96 mmol/L; t=10.706,P=0.000) and glycosylated hemoglobin (8.36％ ± 1.94％ vs.6.07％ ± 0.55％ ; t =10.576,P =0.000) in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group.The proportion of patients with large artery atherosclerosis stroke in the diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic group (73.1％ vs.60.0％; x2=5.457,P=0.019); the proportion of the patients with cardioembolism was significantly lower than that of the non-diabetic group (2.8％ vs.9.1％;x2 =4.428,P =0.035).The proportion of patients with posterior circulation middle segment infarction in the diabetic group was significantly higher than that of the non-diabetic group (49.1％ vs.31.4％ ;x2 =9.726,P =0.002).The proportions of the patients with brainstem infarction (60.2％ vs.48.2％ ;x2 =4.182,P =0.041) and single brainstem infarction (55.6％ vs.30.5％ ;x2 =19.235,P =0.000) in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group.In patients with single brainstem infarction,the proportions of the patients with pontine infarction (43.5％ vs.25.9％ ;x2 =10.374,P =0.001) and medulla oblongata infarction (7.4％ vs.1.8％ ; P =0.023) in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group.Conclusions Diabetes and previous stroke or TIA history are the independent risk factor for posterior circulation stroke.Diabetes is closely associated with brainstem infarction,and it is more likely to result in pontine infarction.

Carotid stenosis after radiation therapy / 国际脑血管病杂志

With the improvement of radiation therapy technology and the comprehensive treatment of malignant tumors,the survival time of patients with malignant tumors is gradually extended.In recent years,carotid stenosis and cerebrovascular disease complications after radiation therapy have received increasing attention.Existing studies have shown that carotid stenosis after radiation therapy is not only associated with atherosclerosis,it is likely to be an independent vascular lesion.This article reviews the correlation between head,neck and cerebral ischemic events,characteristics and mechanisms of vascular injury after radiation therapy,as well as the risk factors for carotid stenosis,clinical manifestations,and diagnosis and treatment methods after radiation therapy.