Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with stroke warning syndrome: comparison with antiplatelet therapy / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis and antiplatelet therapy in patients with stroke warning syndrome (SWS), as well as influencing factors of the outcome in patients with SWS.Method:Patients with SWS admitted to the 521 st Hospital of Ordnance Group from June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023 were retrospectively included. Some patients were treated with ateplase intravenous thrombolysis, followed by oral antiplatelet therapy; some patients only received antiplatelet therapy. The main outcome measure was the modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days after onset, with a score of 0-2 defined as good outcome. Results:A total of 35 patients with SWS were included, including 26 males (74.3%) with an age of 58.29±11.06 years. Nineteen patients (54.3%) received intravenous thrombolysis, and 27 (77.1%) had good outcome at 90 days. There was no statistically significant difference in demographic, baseline data, and good outcome between the intravenous thrombolysis group and the antiplatelet therapy group. One patient had new stroke and one had transient ischemic attack in the intravenous thrombolysis group. There were statistically significant differences in ABCD2 score, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, highest National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at onset, and symptom duration between the good outcome group and the poor outcome group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis is similar to that of antiplatelet drugs alone in treating SWS. ABCD2 score, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, highest NIHSS score at onset, and duration of symptoms may be influencing factors for the outcome of patients with SWS.

Value of multiparameter MRI in predicting acute cerebral infarction secondary to transient ischemic attack / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of multiparameter MRI in predicting secondary acute cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods:A total of 358 patients with TIA admitted to Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from April 2020 to May 2022 were selected. They were divided into cerebral infarction group ( n=114) and non-cerebral infarction group ( n=244) according to whether they had secondary acute cerebral infarction within 3 months of follow up. Differences in multiparameter MRI (number of unstable plaques, reference vessel area/plaque area, internal carotid artery stenosis rate, intracranial arterial stenosis rate, ratio of unstable plaques, lumen area of the most stenotic responsible vessel, and wall area of the most stenotic responsible vessel) at the consultation time were collected and compared between the 2 groups; correlations of multiparameter MRI with secondary acute cerebral infarction was evaluated by partial regression analysis; value of multiparameter MRI in predicting secondary acute cerebral infarction in TIA patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:Reference vessel area/plaque area, intracranial arterial stenosis rate, ratio of unstable plaques and wall area of the most stenotic responsible vessel in the infarction group were significantly higher/larger than those in the non-cerebral infarction group, and lumen area of the most stenotic responsible vessel in the infarction group was significantly smaller than that in the non-cerebral infarction group ( P<0.05). After adjusting for age and gender, reference vessel area/plaque area, intracranial arterial stenosis rate, ratio of unstable plaques and wall area of the most stenotic responsible vessel were positively correlated with secondary acute cerebral infarction, while lumen area of the most stenotic responsible vessel was negatively correlated with secondary acute cerebral infarction ( P<0.05); AUC of the combination of above parameters was 0.900, which was significantly greater than that of reference vessel area/plaque area (0.724), intracranial arterial stenosis rate (0.751), unstable plaque occurrence rate (0.812), lumen area of the most stenotic vessel (0.771), and wall area of the most stenotic vessel (0.763), respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Multiparameter MRI analyzing reference vessel area/plaque area, intracranial arterial stenosis rate, ratio of unstable plaques, lumen area of the most stenotic responsible vessel, and wall area of the most stenotic responsible vessel can effectively predict secondary acute cerebral infarction in TIA patients.

Correlation between serum ischemia modified albumin and calmodulin expression levels and neurological impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and calmodulin (CaM) expression levels and neurological impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.Methods:The clinical data of 140 patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) who received treatment at The Third People Hospital in Liaocheng between April 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. On admission, serum levels of CaM and IMA were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an albumin-cobalt binding test. Patients' neurological function was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Patients' transient cerebral ischemia, urinary incontinence, and gait disturbance were evaluated using the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Scale. Patients' cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale. The influential factors of serum IMA and CaM expression levels in patients with CSVD were analyzed. The factors that affect the severity of neuological imairment in patients with CSVD and their correlation with serum IMA and CaM expression levels were analyzed.Results:The gender, age, presence or absence of gait disorders, and presence or absence of urinary incontinence of patients were not correlated with serum IMA and CaM levels (all P > 0.05). The serum levels of IMA [(38.5 ± 5.3) × 103U/L, (38.5 ± 4.7) × 103U/L, (39.0 ± 4.4) × 103U/L] and CaM [(190.4 ± 34.5) μg/L, (191.2 ± 26.7) μg/L, (199.7 ± 24.8) μg/L] in patients with cognitive impairment, dizziness and vertigo, and transient cerebral ischemia were significantly higher than those in patients with normal cognitive function, patients without dizziness and vertigo, or patients without transient cerebral ischemia [(27.3 ± 4.4) × 103U/L, (21.0 ± 3.8) × 103U/L, (20.5 ± 5.1) × 103U/L, (180.6 ± 29.6) μg/L, (179.5 ± 28.6) μg/L, (168.6 ± 32.4) μg/L, t = 14.10, 24.36, 22.50, all P < 0.05]. There were significant differences in cognitive impairment (38/16/9), dizziness and vertigo (39/16/8), transient cerebral hemorrhage (35/16/9), NIHSS score [(3.6 ± 0.8) points, (7.5 ± 0.9) points, (16.2 ± 3.2) points], CaM levels [(125.3 ± 20.5) μg/L, (185.5 ± 23.6) μg/L, (237.9 ± 54.3) μg/L], and IMA levels [(21.2 ± 3.5)] × 103 U/L, [(38.5 ± 4.3) × 103 U/L, (74.9 ± 5.4) × 103 U/L] among patients with mild, moderate, and severe neurological impairment ( t = 32.87, 11.28, 12.42, 34.59, 151.73, 147.84, all P < 0.05). The results of multivariate analysis indicated that cognitive impairment ( OR = 1.578, 95% CI: 1.043-2.386), transient cerebral ischemia ( OR = 2.396, 95% CI: 1.156-4.969), dizziness and vertigo ( OR = 1.906, 95% CI: 1.086-3.345), NIHSS score ( OR = 2.171, 95% CI: 1.162-4.056), CaM level ( OR = 2.022, 95% CI: 1.268-3.224), and increased IMA levels ( OR = 2.090, 95% CI: 1.313-3.325) were independent influential factors for worsened neurological impairment (all P < 0.05). The serum levels of IMA and CaM in patients with CSVD were significantly positively correlated with the severity of neurological impairment ( r = 5.45, 8.33, both P < 0.05). Conclusion:The elevated serum levels of IMA and CaM in patients with CSVD serve as independent risk factors for neurological impairment, and these levels are positively correlated with the severity of neurological impairment.

Measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter on computed tomography for the differentiation of transient ischemic attacks

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of mean optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with transient ischemic attack could be used to distinguish between control groups, the acute ischemic stroke group, and subgroups within the acute ischemic stroke category. METHODS: Retrospectively, the mean optic nerve sheath diameters of patients aged 18 years and older belonging to control, transient ischemic attack, acute ischemic stroke, and subgroups within the acute ischemic stroke category were measured with initial computed tomography conducted in the emergency department. RESULTS: Out of the 773 patients included in the study, 318 (41.1%) were in the control group, 77 (10%) had transient ischemic attack, and 378 (49%) were categorized as stroke patients. The average mean optic nerve sheath diameter was significantly higher in both the stroke and transient ischemic attack groups compared with the control group (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, the mean optic nerve sheath diameter in the stroke subgroups was significantly higher than in both the transient ischemic attack and control groups (p<0.001 for all comparisons). In transient ischemic attack patients, the mean optic nerve sheath diameter showed a significant ability to predict transient ischemic attack (AUC=0.913, p<0.001), with a calculated optimal cutoff value of 4.72, sensitivity of 94.8%, and specificity of 73.9%. CONCLUSION: The mean optic nerve sheath diameter of patients in the transient ischemic attack group was lower compared with those in the stroke subgroups but higher compared with the control group.

High prevalence of intracranial arterial stenosis among acute ischemic stroke patients in a Brazilian center: a transcranial color-coded duplex sonography study / Alta prevalência de estenose arterial intracraniana nos pacientes com acidente vascular isquêmico agudo em um centro brasileiro: um estudo com Doppler transcraniano colorido

Abstract Background There is limited data available regarding the prevalence of intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) among acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in Brazil and Latin America. Objective The present study sought to investigate the frequency and predictors of ICAS among patients with AIS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a Brazilian center, with transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) technique. Methods Consecutive AIS and TIA patients, admitted to an academic public comprehensive stroke center in Brazil from February to December 2014, evaluated by TCCS were prospectively selected. Vascular narrowings > 50% were considered as ICAS, based on ultrasound criteria previously defined in the literature. Results We assessed 170 consecutive patients with AIS or TIA, of whom 27 (15.9%) were excluded due to an inadequate transtemporal acoustic bone window. We confirmed ICAS in 55 patients (38.5%). The most common location was the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (28.2%), followed by the vertebral (15.4%), posterior cerebral (13.6%), terminal internal carotid (9.1%) and basilar (8.2%) arteries. On multivariate models adjusting for potential confounders, systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.01-1.04; p = 0.008) was independently associated with ICAS. Conclusion We found significant ICAS in approximately ⅓ of patients admitted with symptoms of AIS or TIA in a public tertiary academic stroke center in Brazil. The TCCS is an accessible and noninvasive technique that can be used to investigate the presence of moderate and severe ICAS, especially in patients who cannot be exposed to more invasive exams, such as the use of intravenous contrast agents.

Resumo Antecedentes Dados acerca da prevalência da estenose arterial intracraniana (EAIC) entre os pacientes com acidente vascular isquêmico (AVCi) agudo no Brasil e América Latina são limitados. Objetivo O presente estudo pretendeu investigar a frequência e os preditores da EAIC nos pacientes AVCi ou ataque isquêmico transitório (AIT) em um centro brasileiro utilizando o Doppler transcraniano colorido (duplex transcraniano). Métodos Pacientes consecutivos com AVCi ou AIT, admitidos entre fevereiro e dezembro de 2014 em um centro acadêmico brasileiro especializado em doenças cerebrovasculares, foram avaliados prospectivamente com duplex transcraniano. Os estreitamentos vasculares > 50% foram considerados como EAIC, baseado em critérios ultrassonográficos definidos previamente na literatura. Resultados Foram avaliados 170 pacientes com AVCi ou AIT, dos quais 27 (15,9%) foram excluídos em decorrência da janela óssea transtemporal acústica inadequada. Confirmamos EAIC em 55 pacientes (38,5%). A localização mais comum foi o segmento proximal da artéria cerebral média (28,2%), seguida pelas artérias vertebral (15,4%), cerebral posterior (13,6%), carótida interna terminal (9,1%) e basilar (8,2%). No modelo multivariado, ajustado para os potenciais confundidores, a pressão arterial sistólica aumentada (OR: 1,03; IC 95%: 1,01-1,04; p = 0,008) foi independentemente associada a EAIC. Conclusão Foi identificada EAIC significativa em quase ⅓ dos pacientes admitidos com sintomas de AVCi ou AIT em um serviço acadêmico público de atendimento especializado em doenças cerebrovasculares. O Doppler transcraniano colorido é uma ferramenta acessível e não invasiva que pode ser utilizada com segurança para a investigação da presença de EAIC moderada ou grave, especialmente nos pacientes que não podem ser expostos a exames complementares mais invasivos com uso de contraste intravenoso.

Dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with minor stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack carrying CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles / 国际脑血管病杂志

Dual antiplatelet therapy has been widely used for the secondary prevention in patients with minor stroke and high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). Currently, the commonly used antiplatelet drugs are aspirin and clopidogrel. The therapeutic effect of antiplatelet drugs varies among individuals, namely platelet resistance. Among them, aspirin resistance is often caused by poor drug compliance, while clopidogrel resistance is often associated with CYP2C19 allele mutations. Patients with minor stroke and high-risk TIA carrying CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles have poor preventive effects when using clopidogrel. Early screening of the CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles and targeted measures can benefit such patients. This article reviews the research progress on the selection of antiplatelet therapy for minor stroke or high-risk TIA patients carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles.

High on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack / 国际脑血管病杂志

Antiplatelet drugs are the cornerstone of long-term treatment and secondary prevention for ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) recommended by guidelines, aimed at reducing the risk of recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular events. However, some patients with ischemic stroke/TIA may still experience ischemic events during antiplatelet therapy, known as high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR), which typically occurs in patients taking aspirin or clopidogrel. This article elaborates the incidence, risk factors, and commonly used evaluation methods of HTPR in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA, and elucidates the clinical significance of HTPR in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA, and investigates the antiplatelet treatment protocol of patients with HTPR.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease presented with stroke-like onset: a case report / 中华神经科杂志

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a neurodegenerative disease, characterized by eosinophilic transparent inclusions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and internal organs. NIID clinical characteristics are varied, including cognitive impairment, muscle weakness, episodic symptoms, movement disorders and autonomic dysfunction. This article reports a patient with NIID who manifested with episodes of aphasia, dysgraphia and dyslexia without fever, headache, nausea and vomiting confirmed by genetic testing. The patient was a 62-year-old female with acute onset who was diagnosed with transient ischemic attack. This article aims to improve the knowledge of NIID with stroke-like onset by this case presentation and avoid misdiagnosis.

Correlation between serum fibrinogen albumin ratio and ischemic cerebrovascular disease / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between serum fibrinogen to albumin ratio(FAR) and the main types of ischemic cerebrovascular disease(IVD):lacunar infarction(LI) and transient ischemic attack(TIA) before treatment. Methods Two hundreds and twenty-six IVD patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to November 2021 were collected,including 109 in Li group and 117 in TIA group. According to the average value of FAR,the two groups were divided into LILow FAR group(≤0.11,n=61),LI High FAR group(>0.11,n=48),TIA Low FAR group(≤0.11,n=68) and TIA High FAR group respectively(>0.11,n=49);Thirty-three healthy patients in the same period were selected as the control group. Pre-treatment FAR levels were analyzed in the five groups of patients,the FAR levels of the five groups were analyzed,the correlation between FAR levels and LI and TIA was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression,and the predictive value of FAR to LI and TIA was evaluated by ROC curve. Results Compared with the control group and Low FAR group,FAR in LI and TIA groups was increased(P≤0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FAR is an independent risk factor for LI,not for TIA. ROC curve analysis shows that the FAR can be a predictor of LI. Conclusion FAR is an independent risk factor for LI. It has good predictive value for LI,andit can be used as a predictor of LI.

Encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis for intracranial arterial steno-occlusive disease: a retrospective case series study of 40 cases / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) for intracranial atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease (ICASD).Methods:Patients with symptomatic ICASD received EDAS treatment in the Department of Neurosurgery, the PLA General Hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were retrospectively included. The baseline information, perioperative complications, primary endpoint events, and changes in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores before and after surgery were collected. The primary endpoint event was any stroke/death that occurred within 30 d after enrollment. The secondary endpoint events were any stroke/death, non-stroke bleeding (subdural or epidural bleeding), and clinical functional improvement after 30 d. The clinical functional improvement was defined as a decrease of ≥1 in the mRS score compared to before surgery.Results:A total of 40 patients were included, including 30 males and 10 females, aged 53.9±8.6 years old. The clinical symptoms were mainly limb weakness and dizziness. One case of ischemic stroke and one case of hemorrhagic stroke occurred during the perioperative period. The primary endpoint event incidence was 2.5%. The patients were followed up for 49.75±2.99 months after surgery. One patient died of cerebral hemorrhage 31 months after surgery, and one patient developed acute ischemic stroke 35 months after surgery. The postoperative mRS scores of 34 patients decreased compared to before surgery, and the clinical function improvement rate was 85%. The mRS score increased in 2 cases after surgery compared to before surgery and 4 cases had no change.Conclusion:EDAS can improve the clinical function of patients with symptomatic ICASD and reduce the incidence of long-term stroke.

Influencing factors of intracranial in-stent restenosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Endovascular therapy (EVT) is a method of treating symptomatic ICAS, and in-stent restenosis (ISR) is an important factor affecting the efficacy of EVT. This article summarizes the influencing factors of ISR in patients with ICAS receiving EVT treatment.

Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid artery near-occlusion / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of carotid endarterectomy(CEA) in the treatment of symptomatic carotid artery near-occlusion(CNO).Methods:Clinical symptoms, imaging examination, treatment and prognosis of 122 symptomatic CNO patients admitted to China-Japan Friendship Hospital from Jan 2014 to Jan 2020 undergoing CEA were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the collapse condition,full collapse group(54 cases) and non-full collapse group(68 cases).Results:The difference was insignificant between the two groups at the 30-day and 12-month occurrence rate of primary endpoints(1.85% vs. 4.41%, P=0.629;7.41% vs. 4.41%, P=0.698).Postoperative re-stenosis occurred in one case in the non-full collapse group 8 months after CEA. Conclusions:CEA can achieve good curative effect for patients with CNO with recurrent symptoms, irrelevant to the existence of distal full collapse. The shunt can prevent intraoperative hypoperfusion and postoperative hyperperfusion.

Efficacy analysis of anti-platelet in the treatment of high-risk non-disabling ischemic cerebrovascular events guided by point-of-care testing of CYP2C19 gene / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of different anti-platelet regimens in the treatment of high-risk non-disabling ischemic cerebrovascular events (HR-NICE) guided by point-of-care testing of CYP2C19 gene. Methods:A single-centre, prospective, randomised, open-label, and blinded endpoint design was uesd in the study. From July 2020 to January 2022, HR-NICE patients were enrolled in the Stroke Green Channel and Department of Neurology of Xuzhou Central Hospital, and all patients were scraped the buccal mucosa for screening for CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriers by point-of-care testing . Patients with intermediate metabolism were defined as those who carried 1 loss-of-function allele and patients with poor metabolism were those who carried 2 loss-of-function alleles. This study reduced the test turnaround time to 1 hour by using a fully automated medical polymerase chain reaction analyzer for a point-of-care test of CYP2C19 genotype. CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriers were divided according to the random number table method into the conventional treatment group (clopidogrel 75 mg, once a day), the ticagrelor group (ticagrelor 90 mg, twice a day) and the intensive dose group (clopidogrel 150 mg, once a day) separately combined with aspirin (100 mg, once a day) dual antiplatelet for 21 days. Baseline information, Acute Stroke Org 10172 Treatment Trial staging, 90-day modified Rankin Scale score, occurrence of adverse events and severe adverse events were collected for all the 3 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was new stroke within 90 days, and the primary safety outcome was severe or moderate bleeding within 90 days. Results:A total of 716 patients were included: 240 in the conventional treatment group, 240 in the ticagrelor group and 236 in the intensive dose group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups at baseline (all P>0.05). There were 26 cases (10.8%) with new stroke events in the conventional treatment group, 11 cases (4.6%) in the ticagrelor group and 4 cases (1.7%) in the intensive dose group, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups (χ 2=19.28, P<0.05), and the differences between the conventional treatment group and the ticagrelor group (χ 2=6.59, P=0.010) and between the conventional treatment group and the intensive dose group (χ 2=16.83, P<0.001) were statistically significant, whereas the difference between the ticagrelor group and the intensive dose group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). In the 3 groups, there was 1 case (0.4%) of severe bleeding in the conventional treatment group, 6 cases (2.5%) in the ticagrelor group and none in the intensive dose group, which showed statistically significant differences (χ 2=7.23, P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between the ticagrelor group and the intensive dose group ( P=0.030). Among the patients with intermediate CYP2C19 metabolism, there were 13 cases (13/158, 8.2%) with 90-day recurrent stroke in the conventional treatment group, 4 cases (4/153, 2.6%) in the ticagrelor group, and 0 case (0/159) in the intensive dose group, with statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.04, P<0.001), and the differences between the intensive dose group and the conventional treatment group were statistically significant (χ 2=13.64, P<0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the intensive dose group and the ticagrelor group ( P>0.05). In the patients with 90-day recurrent stroke in the intensive dose group, there was 0 case (0/159) with intermediate metabolism and 4 cases (4/77,5.2%) with poor metabolism, with statistically significant differences ( P=0.011), whereas there were no statistically significant differences in the conventional treatment group and the ticagrelor group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Screening carriers of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles by point-of-care testing can quickly and precisely guide the treatment of patients with non-cardiogenic HR-NICE. An intensive clopidogrel dose of 150 mg, once a day combined with aspirin was effective in reducing stroke recurrence with less occurrence of any bleeding and adverse events, and patients with intermediate CYP2C19 metabolism may be the best population to benefit.

Coexisting Coronary and Carotid Artery Disease: What We Did, What Happened

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is no complete consensus on the three surgical methods and long-term consequences for coexisting coronary and carotid artery disease. We retrospectively evaluated the surgical results in this high-risk group in our clinic for a decade. Methods: Between 2005 and 2015, 196 patients were treated for combined carotid and coronary artery disease. A total of 50 patients were operated on with the staged method, 40 of which had carotid endarterectomy (CEA) priority, and 10 had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) priority. CABG and CEA were simultaneously performed in 82 patients; and in 64 asymptomatic patients with unilateral carotid artery lesions and stenosis over 70%, only CABG was done (64 patients). Results were evaluated by uni-/multivariate analyses for perioperative, early, and late postoperative data. Results: In the staged group, interval between the operations was 2.82±0.74 months. Perioperative and early postoperative (30 days) parameters did not differ between groups (P-value < 0.05). Postoperative follow-up time was averaged 94.9±38.3 months. Postoperative events were examined in three groups as (A) deaths (all cause), (B) cardiovascular events (non-fatal myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, congestive heart failure, palpitation), and (C) fatal neurological events (amaurosis fugax, transient ischemic attack, and stroke). When group C events were excluded, event-free actuarial survival rates were similar in all three methods (P=0.740). Actuarial survival rate was significantly different when all events were included (P=0.027). Neurological events increased markedly between months 34 and 66 (P=0.004). Conclusion: Perioperative and early postoperative event-free survival rates were similar in all three methods. By the beginning of the 34th month, the only CABG group has been negatively separated due to neurological events. In the choice of methodology, "most threatened organ priority'' was considered as clinical parameter.

Pre-induction Jerky limb movements on operation table – Is it transient ischemic attack

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a diagnostic challenge for all physicians due to the temporariness of symptoms and the absence of any definitive diagnostic test. There is a very high risk of TIA being followed by an ischemic stroke, hence require urgent investigation and preventive strategies. At the same time, it is also important to distinguish TIA from other close differentials, to avoid wrong diagnoses leading to harmful, misdirected medical management. In this report, we will discuss the case of a middle-aged male patient with stable pre-operative vitals who was posted for total parotidectomy and suddenly developed jerky movement of the upper limb and transient aphasia on the operation theater table along with raised blood pressure. This is a very rare presentation of TIA that needs to be differentiated from other close differentials as this form is mostly associated with severe carotid occlusive disease and, hence, carries a high risk of stroke.

A perplexing case report of an imaging negative acute ischemic stroke

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often seen as the gold standard when dealing with an acute ischemic stroke. Despite its unique ability to quickly diagnose acute stroke with diffusion-weighted imaging, there is enough evidence to suggest that MRI has failed to diagnose acute ischemic stroke in a minority of patients. We, hereby, present a case of a 55-year-old gentleman who presented with symptoms consistent with an acute ischemic event, but concurrent computed tomography and MRI were normal. However, the treatment regime for stroke was commenced despite normal imaging. It was only on the 3rd day of admission when the MRI revealed a significant finding which consolidated our diagnosis of ischemic stroke.Through this case report, we aim to help clinicians avoid misdiagnosis or delay in the treatment strategies, especially intravenous thrombolysis in patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke with normal neuroradiological imaging. This is a testament to the fact that clinical assessment still retains priority until a diagnostic tool offers 100% sensitivity and specificity

Changes and clinical significance of plasma S100A1 protein, nuclear factor-κB p65 and interleukin-6 levels in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical significance of plasma S100A1 protein, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.Methods:A total of 141 patients with acute ischemic cerebral infarction (AICI; AICI group) and 20 patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA; TIA group) who received treatment in Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from April to November 2020 were included in this study. According to the volume of cerebral infarct, the AICI group was subdivided into small-volume cerebral infarct (SCI group, n = 78), moderate-volume cerebral infarct (MCI group, n = 32) and large-volume cerebral infract (LCI group, n = 31) groups. An additional 31 healthy controls who concurrently received physical examination were included as controls (HC group). S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels were compared between AICI, TIA and HC groups and between SCI, MCI and LCI groups. S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels were correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and the volume of cerebral infarct. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels for AICI. Results:S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels in the AICI group were (230.96 ± 39.37) ng/L, (3.99 ± 0.65) mg/L, (13.32 ± 1.57) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (185.85 ± 43.24) ng/L, (3.58 ± 0.74) mg/L, (11.61 ± 1.67) ng/L in the TIA group ( t = 4.95, 2.39, 4.14, all P < 0.05) and (181.47 ± 27.39) ng/L, (3.51 ± 0.99) mg/L, (11.42 ± 2.34) ng/L in the HC group ( t = 6.54, 3.32, 5.55, all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels between TIA and HC groups (all P > 0.05). S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels in the LCI group were (254.25 ± 37.07) ng/L, (4.41 ± 0.45) mg/L, and (14.00 ± 1.40) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (225.42 ± 30.92) ng/L, (3.85 ± 0.64) mg/L, (12.77 ± 1.31) ng/L in the MCI group ( t = 3.04, 3.60, 3.20, all P < 0.05) and (223.98 ± 40.21) ng/L, (3.88 ± 0.66) mg/L, (13.27 ± 1.65) ng/L in the SCI group ( t = 3.79, 4.01, 2.25, all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels between MCI and SCI groups (all P > 0.05). S100A1 and NF-κB p65 levels in patients with AICI were positively correlated with the volume of cerebral infarct ( r = 0.24, 0.27, both P < 0.05). S100A1 and IL-6 levels in patients with AICI were positively correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ( r = 0.24, 0.28, both P < 0.05). The areas under the curves plotting S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels against AICI diagnosis were 0.818, 0.667 and 0.754, respectively. The optimal cutoff values were 181.03, 3.50 and 10.79, respectively. The corresponding sensitivities were 95.0%, 76.6% and 97.2%, respectively, and the specificities were 37.3%, 45.1% and 49.0%, respectively. Conclusion:Increased S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels in patients with AICI are closely related to the severity of AICI.

New evidence, new guidelines, and new criteria for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke / 中华神经科杂志

Ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are the most common subtypes of cerebrovascular diseases. Effective secondary prevention is an important approach to reduce the risk of stroke recurrence, disability, and mortality. With the development of international and domestic clinical research on the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and TIA, new evidence-based medical evidence has been present, especially evidence in risk factor control, antithrombotic therapy, and other treatments. Based on these findings, the guidelines were updated in a timely and systematic manner to provide new standard of secondary prevention for stroke patients.

Multiple Mild Stimulations Reduce Membrane Distribution of CX3CR1 Promoted by Annexin a1 in Microglia to Attenuate Excessive Dendritic Spine Pruning and Cognitive Deficits Caused by a Transient Ischemic Attack in Mice / 神经科学通报·英文版

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause reversible and delayed impairment of cognition, but the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Annexin a1 (ANXA1) is a phospholipid-binding protein. Here, we confirmed that cognition and hippocampal synapses were impaired in TIA-treated mice, and this could be rescued by multiple mild stimulations (MMS). TIA promoted the interaction of ANXA1 and CX3CR1, increased the membrane distribution of CX3CR1 in microglia, and thus enhanced the CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 interaction. These phenomena induced by TIA could be reversed by MMS. Meanwhile, the CX3CR1 membrane distribution and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 interaction were upregulated in primary cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1, and the spine density was significantly reduced in co-cultured microglia overexpressing ANXA1 and neurons. Moreover, ANXA1 overexpression in microglia abolished the protection of MMS after TIA. Collectively, our study provides a potential strategy for treating the delayed synaptic injury caused by TIA.