An improved 4-vessel intermittent occlusion method for establishing rat models of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To improve the classical 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) model established by Pulsinelli and Brierley.@*METHODS@#Thirty-two male SD rats were randomized into sham operation group, I4VO-Con10 group, I4VO-Int10 group and I4VO-Int15 group. The sham surgery group underwent exposure of the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries without occlusion to block blood flow. The I4VO-Con10 group experienced continuous ischemia by occluding the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int10 and I4VO-Int15 groups were subjected to intermittent ischemia. The I4VO- Int10 group underwent 5 minutes of ischemia, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion and another 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int15 group experienced 5 minutes of ischemia followed by two cycles of 5 minutes of reperfusion and 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was monitored with laser Doppler scanning, and survival of the rats was observed. HE staining was used to observe hippocampal pathologies to determine the optimal method for modeling. Another 48 rats were randomized into 6 groups, including a sham operation group and 5 model groups established using the optimal method. The 5 I4VO model groups were further divided based on the reperfusion time points (1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days) into I4VO-D1, I4VO-D3, I4VO-D7, I4VO- D14, and I4VO- D28 groups. Body weight changes and survival of the rats were recorded. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes in the hippocampal, retinal and optic tract tissues. The Y-maze test and light/dark box test were used to evaluate cognitive and visual functions of the rats in I4VO-D28 group.@*RESULTS@#Occlusion for 5 min for 3 times at the interval of 5 min was the optimal method for 4VO modeling. In the latter 48 rats, the body weight was significantly lower than that of the sham-operated rats at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after modeling without significant difference in survival rate among the groups. The rats with intermittent vessel occlusion exhibited progressive deterioration of hippocampal neuronal injury and neuronal loss. Cognitive impairment was observed in the rats in I4VO-D28 group, but no obvious ischemic injury of the retina or the optic tract was detected.@*CONCLUSION@#The improved 4VO model can successfully mimic the main pathological processes of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury without causing visual impairment in rats.

Risk factors for unfavorable outcomes after recanalization of large vessel occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To analyze risk factors for unfavorable outcomes after recanalization of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Patients with AIS-LVO who underwent recanalization treatment (including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular intervention) at the Stroke Unit of Beijing Hospital from August 2018 to January 2022 were consecutively enrolled. According to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90-day follow-up after recanalization treatment, participants were classified as unfavorable outcomes (mRS>2) and favorable outcomes (mRS≤2). Baseline clinical data of enrolled patients was collected, and step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes after recanalization in AIS-LVO patients.Results:A total of 212 AIS-LVO patients were enrolled, including 86 females (41.35%), with an average age of 72.9 years. There were 75 patients in the favorable outcome group and 137 patients in the unfavorable outcome group. Compared with the favorable outcome group, the unfavorable outcome group had a higher average age, a higher proportion of females and patients with atrial fibrillation, higher baseline NIHSS, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher blood creatinine and D-dimer levels (all P<0.05). After adjusting for age and atrial fibrillation as confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR=2.859, 95% CI: 1.202-6.799, P=0.018), higher baseline NIHSS ( OR=14.417, 95% CI: 6.269-33.158, P<0.001), higher pre-treatment systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.034, 95% CI: 1.015-1.054, P=0.001), higher emergency blood creatinine level ( OR=1.378, 95% CI: 1.105-1.719, P=0.005), and higher D-dimer level ( OR=3.594, 95% CI: 1.290-10.014, P=0.014) were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes after recanalization treatment in patients with AIS-LVO. Conclusion:Female, higher NIHSS, higher systolic blood pressure, higher blood creatinine level and D-dimer level are independent risk factors for unfavorable functional outcomes at 90 days after recanalization treatment of large vessel occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Baseline NIHSS score and D-dimer in early prediction of large vessel occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:Early identification of ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion can improve referral efficiency and shorten reperfusion time. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of patients with large vessel occlusion and identify factors that could predict large vessel occlusion.Methods:The clinical data of 432 patients with ischemic stroke treated through emergency green channel were retrospectively analyzed, and the differences between the large vessel occlusion group (LVO group) and the non-large vessel occlusion group (non-LVO group) were compared, and two independent risk factors of the LVO group were screened out by logistics regression analysis: baseline NIHSS score and D-dimer value. The predicted cutoff values of NIHSS score and D-dimer were further determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 432 patients with ischemic stroke had complete imaging data, with a mean age of 68.5±12.4 years, including 275 (63.7%) males, and 245 (56.7%) in the LVO group and 187 (43.3%) in the non-LVO group. Age, hemorrhagic transformation, thrombolytic therapy, endovascular treatment, atrial fibrillation, baseline NIHSS score [14.0 (6.0-20.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0-6.0), P<0.05], and D-dimer value at admission [0.9(0.4-2.3) mg/L vs. 0.3 (0.2-0.5)mg/L, P<0.05] were statistically significant different between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that higher baseline NIHSS score( OR=1.22,95% CI: 1.17-1.27)and higher D-dimer value( OR=3.10,95% CI: 2.14-4.47)were independent risk factors for large vessel occlusion. Baseline NIHSS score combined with D-dimer value was a good predictor of large vessel occlusion(AUC 0.85 [0.81-0.89]). ROC curve suggested that NIHSS score >6.5 and D-dimer >0.57 mg/L were the cutoff values for predicting large vessel occlusion. Conclusions:Higher baseline NIHSS score and D-dimer value are valuable for early prediction of large vessel occlusion, patients with NIHSS score >6.5 points and D-dimer >0.57 mg/L should be promptly transported to an advanced stroke center for treatment.

Effects of endovascular treatment for mild stroke patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To observe the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for mild stroke patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. 【Methods】 The retrospective study enrolled 38 mild stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who received endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University between January 2018 and August 2021. Vascular recanalization rate after endovascular treatment (mTICI≥2b), procedural complications, NIHSS score at discharge, and the rate of good modified Rankin Score (mRS≤2) at 90d were observed. 【Results】 The average age of the 38 patients was 62.89±12.41 years, and there were 21 males (55.3%). The vascular recanalization rate post EVT was 100%, while with three cases of thrombosis escape (7.9%) and one case (2.6%) of sICH of 24 h post EVT. The average NIHSS at discharge was 1 (0-1) point, which significantly decreased compared to the average baseline NIHSS 4 (4-5) points (P<0.01). The 90 d followed-up rate was 89.47%, and among all the followed-up patients, 91.2% of them had mRS≤2. Imaging follow-up showed good vascular flow and no in-stent restenosis. 【Conclusion】 Endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in mild stroke is safe and effective.

Enhancement of oligodendrocyte autophagy alleviates white matter injury and cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

Cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is associated with white matter injury (WMI), possibly through the alteration of autophagy. Here, the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) dysfunction in white matter (WM) and its relationship with cognitive impairment were investigated in rats subjected to two vessel occlusion (2VO). The results showed that cognitive impairment occurred by the 28th day after 2VO. Injury and autophagy activation of mature oligodendrocytes and neuronal axons sequentially occurred in WM by the 3rd day. By the 14th day, abnormal accumulation of autophagy substrate, lysosomal dysfunction, and the activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) pathway were observed in WM, paralleled with mature oligodendrocyte death. This indicates autophagy activation was followed by ALP dysfunction caused by autophagy inhibition or lysosomal dysfunction. To target the ALP dysfunction, enhanced autophagy by systemic rapamycin treatment or overexpression of Beclin1 (BECN1) in oligodendrocytes reduced mature oligodendrocyte death, and subsequently alleviated the WMI and cognitive impairment after CCH. These results reveal that early autophagy activation was followed by ALP dysfunction in WM after 2VO, which was associated with the aggravation of WMI and cognitive impairment. This study highlights that alleviating ALP dysfunction by enhancing oligodendrocyte autophagy has benefits for cognitive recovery after CCH.

Síndrome del dedo azul: de la piel a lo multisistémico / Blue digit syndrome: from skin to a multisystemic etiology

El signo del dedo azul (SDA) es una condición poco frecuente causada principalmente por la oclusión de la vasculatura periférica. Clínicamente puede manifestarse como una coloración azulada o eritrocianótica en uno o varios dedos en ausencia de traumatismo y condiciones propias de congelación. Las etiologías son múltiples e incluyen obstrucción del flujo arterial, disminución del flujo venoso y alteración en la viscosidad sanguínea. La importancia de reconocer el signo como motivo de consulta radica en encaminar un diagnóstico temprano e instaurar un tratamiento que evite la evolución natural de la enfermedad hacia la necrosis, amputación o muerte del paciente. Proponemos un algoritmo diagnóstico para reconocer los elementos de la historia clínica que guíen la etiología y los paraclínicos disponibles desde el Servicio de Urgencias.

Blue finger sign (BFS) is a rare condition caused mainly by occlusion of peripheral vasculature. Clinically it may manifest as a bluish, or erythrocyanotic discoloration of one or more fingers in the absence of trauma and freezing conditions. The etiologies are multiple and include arterial flow obstruction, decreased venous flow, and altered blood viscosity. The importance of recognizing the sign as a reason for consultation lies in the early diagnosis and the establishment of a treatment that finally avoids the natural evolution of the disease towards necrosis and finally amputation or death of the patient. We propose a diagnostic algorithm based on recognizing elements of the clinical history that guide the etiology and paraclinical available from the Emergency Department.

Susceptibility vessel sign in subacute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the presentation of susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) in subacute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion.@*METHODS@#We collected consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital from December 2017 to August 2019 retrospectively. Those who had intracranial large vessel occlusion and received sensitivity weighted imaging (SWI) within 3 to 14 days after stroke onset were included in our analysis. The diagnosis of large vessel occlusion was based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The demographic information, clinical characteristics and imaging results were obtained from medical record. The occurrence rates of SVS sign were compared between stroke patients with cardioembolism (CE) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). In the sensitivity analysis, we performed a subgroup analysis in those patients who received SWI within 7 to 14 days after stroke onset. We also compared the occurrence rate of SVS sign between the patients with and without atrial fibrillation.@*RESULTS@#A total of 51 patients, 19 females and 32 males, with an average age of (63.04±11.23) years were analyzed in this study. Compared with LAA group, the patients in CE group were older and more likely to have an atrial fibrillation (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the CE group and LAA group in gender, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking, or National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS) score at admission. SVS sign was found in 30 patients. Of whom, 3 were in CE group and 27 in LAA group. The occurrence rate of SVS sign was higher in the LAA group than in the CE group significantly (65.9% vs. 30.0%, P=0.039). The subgroup analysis showed that, in the patients who received SWI examination within 7 to 14 days after stroke onset, the differences between the two groups were still statistically significant (0 vs. 72.7%, P=0.006). Another sensitivity analysis showed that, the rate of SVS in the patients with atrial fibrillation was significantly lower than those patients without atrial fibrillation (25% vs. 65.1%, P=0.043).@*CONCLUSION@#In subacute stroke patients, the occurrence rate of SVS sign in CE group was lower than that of LAA group. The significance of SVS sign in the differentiation of stroke subtype needs further validation.

Hyperuricemia as a risk factor for increase severity of coronary vessel occlusion disease: a cross-sectional study in North Indian population

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death worldwide. The present study was conducted to study uric acid as a potential biomarker in predicting the severity of CVD in terms of vessel involvement.Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Tahirpur, Delhi. A total of 52 consecutive male and female patients age between 30 to 70 years was included in this study. Written informed consent was obtained from all the enrolled patients. Automated analysers were used for the analysis of blood glucose, lipid profile and serum uric acid level. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 20.0, IBM SPSS, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analyses.Results: In this study, a total of 52 consecutive patients were divided into three groups; single-vessel disease (n=19), double vessel disease (n=19) and triple vessel disease (n=14). Biochemical profile of all the groups was calculated. A group of triple vessel disease patients showing higher amount (164±42 mg/dl) of cholesterol level as compared to the other two groups (157±34 mg/dl). The mean level of serum uric acid levels significantly differed and its mean levels increases as the severity of vessel diseases increases. The receiver operating characteristic curve shows the uric level has 71% sensitivity and 52.5% specificity for detecting the severity of coronary vessel disease.Conclusions: This study demonstrated an increased serum uric acid levels were associated with increased severity of vessel disease, and serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Predictors of Catastrophic Outcome after Endovascular Thrombectomy in Elderly Patients with Acute Anterior Circulation Stroke

Imaging evaluation of internal carotid artery occlusion / 中国脑血管病杂志

Internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) can be caused by a variety of causes, which presents diverse clinical manifestations in patients ranging from asymptomatic to acute severe stroke syndromes. This extreme variability and the risks of recurrent stroke depend on the various vascular risk factors, including the characteristics of occlusion, hemodynamic alterations, and collateral circulation. A variety of imaging techniques is throughout the process of diagnosis and treatment in patients with ICAO, which plays a vital role. This article aims to review various imaging methods for the evaluation of internal carotid artery occlusion and collateral circulation.

Clinical Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of Kidney and Urinary Tract in Children

Objective: To evaluate the clinical spectrum and patterns of clinical presentation incongenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract. Methods: We enrolled 307 consecutivelypresenting children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract at the pediatricnephrology clinic. Patients were evaluated clinically, with serum biochemistry, appropriateimaging and radionuclide scans. Results: The most common anomaly was primaryvesicoureteric reflux (VUR) (87, 27.3%), followed by pelviureteral junction obstruction(PUJO) (62,20.1%), multicystic dysplastic kidney (51 16.6%), non-obstructivehydronephrosis (32, 10.4%) and posterior urethral valves (PUV) (23, 7.4%). 247 (80.4%)anomalies had been identified during the antenatal period. Another 33 (10.7%) werediagnosed during evaluation of urinary tract infection, and 21 (6.8%) during evaluation forhypertension at presentation. Obstructive anomalies presented earlier than non-obstructive(7 (3, 22.5) vs 10 (4, 24) mo: (P=0.01)). The median (IQR) ages of presentation for childrenwith PUV (n=23), VUR (n=87) and PUJO (n=62) were 4 (2, 14) mo, 10 (5, 27) mo, and 7 (3,22.5) mo, respectively. Nine (2.9%) children had extrarenal manifestations. Conclusions:The median age at clinical presentation for various subgroups of anomalies indicatesdelayed referral. We emphasize the need for prompt referral in order to initiate appropriatetherapeutic strategies in children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract

Emergency management of stroke in the era of mechanical thrombectomy

Emergency management of stroke has been directed at the delivery of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in a timely fashion. Because of the many limitations attached to the delivery of tPA and the perceived benefits accrued to tPA, its use has been limited. Mechanical thrombectomy, a far superior therapy for the largest and most disabling strokes, large vessel occlusions (LVOs), has changed the way acute strokes are managed. Aside from the rush to deliver tPA, there is now a need to identify LVO and refer those patients with LVO to physicians and facilities capable of delivering urgent thrombectomy. Other parts of emergency department management of stroke are directed at identifying and mitigating risk factors for future strokes and at preventing further damage from occurring. We review here the most recent literature supporting these advances in stroke care and present a framework for understanding the role that emergency physicians play in acute stroke care.

The effect of butylphthalide injection combined with interventional therapy on patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of butylphthalide and sodium chloride injection on patients who received endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke.Methods A total of 173 patients were identified from February 2015 to December 2017 in the Department of Neurology of Jingling Hospital in this retrospective observational study.Propensity score-matching analysis was performed to balance differences in baseline characteristics between patients who received butylphthalide injection (butylphthalide group) and those who did not (control group).The modified Rankin Scale scores at 90 days were compared between the butylphthalide and control groups.Results A total of 144 patients who received endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke were finally analyzed,54 cases in the butylphthalide group and 90 cases in the control group.The proportion of good functional outcome at 90 days in the butylphthalide group was higher than that in the control group (63.0％ (34/54) vs 44.4％ (40/90);x2=4.633,P=0.031).Thirty-six pairs were matched successfully by the propensity score matching,36 patients in the butylphthalide group and 36 in the control group.There was no statistically significant difference in the 90-day functional outcome between the two groups (66.7％ (24/36) vs 44.4％ (16/36);x2=3.600,P=0.058).One hundred and fifteen patients were recanalized,47 cases in the butylphthalide group and 68 cases in the control group,and after the propensity score matching,30 pairs were analyzed.The proportion of good functional outcome at 90 days in the butylphthalide group was higher than that in the control group (73.3％ (22/30) vs 46.7％ (14/30);x2=4.444,P=0.035).Conclusion After propensity score-matching,butylphthalide and sodium chloride injection could improve 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke and obtained recanalization by endovascular treatment while could not before propensity score-matching.

Efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever for anterior circulation distal vessel occlusion / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever for the anterior circulation distal vessel occlusion. Methods Consecutive cases with anterior circulation distal vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy in Stroke Center of Changhai Hospital of Navy Medical University (Second Military Medical University) from Sep. 2013 to May 2018 were enrolled. According to whether undergoing intravenous thrombolysis, the patients were divided into bridging group and direct thrombectomy group. The primary outcome was the neurological functional prognosis at 90 d after operation measured with modified Rankin Scale (mRS, mRS score≤2 reflected good prognosis). The secondary outcomes were the rate of recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia [mTICI] grade≥2b), the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score at 24 h after operation, complications and mortality. Results Totally 36 patients aged (68.3±13.6) years (ranging from 26 to 88 years) were included. There were 27 cases with middle cerebral artery (MCA) M2 segment occlusion, 5 cases with anterior cerebral artery (ACA) A1/A2 segment occlusion and 4 cases with MCA M2 segment accompanied with ACA A2 segment occlusion. The rate of recanalization of the occluded distal vessels was 91.7% (33/36) after mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever. The rate of good prognosis at 90 d after operation was 52.8% (19/36). The most common complication was vasospasm (33.3%, 12/36), followed by hemorrhagic transformation (16.7%, 6/36). The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 5.6% (2/36) and the mortality was 8.3% (3/36). There were 14 cases in the brigding group and 22 cases in the direct thrombectomy group. The preoperative NIHSS score of the bridging group was significantly higher than that of the direct thrombectomy group (Z=3.025, P=0.002). While there were no significant differences in the NIHSS score at 24 h after operation, times of thrombectomy, the rate of recanalization, the rate of good prognosis at 90 d after operation, the incidence of hemorrhagic transformation or mortality between the bridging group and the direct thrombetomy group (all P>0.05). Conclusion The mechanical thrombectomy with stent-retriever for the anterior circulation distal vessel occlusion is likely safe and effective, and it is beneficial for vascular recanalization and good outcomes at 90 d.

Effect of referral on intravascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the impact of referral on intravascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO), and to analyze the influence factors of prognosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the AIS-LVO patients who received intravascular treatment from Sep. 2013 to Feb. 2018 in Stroke Center of our hospital. The patients were divided into directly admitted group and referral group. The patients in the directly admitted group went directly to the Emergency of our hospital through the pre-hospital emergency medical service or other vehicles. The patients in the referral group were transferred from other hospitals to the Emergency of our hospital. The clinical features, curative effect and prognosis were analyzed between the two groups. Then the patients were divided into good prognosis group (modified Rankin scale score at 90 d after operation being 0-2) and poor prognosis group (2). The clinical data and visit methods were analyzed between the good prognosis and poor prognosis groups, and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the P0.1 variables. Results A total of 316 patients were included, and the directly admitted group had 195 cases (61.7%) and the referral group had 121 cases (38.3%). Compared with the directly admitted group, the proportions of the patients with ischemic stroke and bridging therapy were significantly lower in the referral group (χ2＝4.549, P＝0.033; χ2＝29.319, P0.001). The onset-to-door time (ODT) and onset-to-recanalization time (ORT) were significantly longer in the referral group than those in the directly admitted group (239 [168, 238] min vs 85 [55, 170] min, Z＝1.779, P0.001; 397 [306, 472] min vs 285 [214, 364] min, Z＝6.779, P0.001). The short-term treatment efficiency and good prognosis rate were significantly worse in the referral group than those in the directly admitted group (52.9% [64/121] vs 64.1% [125/195], χ2＝3.903, P＝0.048; 46.3% [56/121] vs 57.9% [113/195], χ2＝4.806, P＝0.043). There were 169 cases (53.5%) in the good prognosis group and 147 cases (46.5%) in the poor prognosis group. Compared with the poor prognosis group, the patients were significantly younger, the proportion of the patients with hyperlipidemia was significantly lower and the proportion of the patients with bridging therapy was significantly higher in the good prognosis group ([64.2±12.8] years vs [69.9±11.9] years, t＝4.095, P0.001; 0.6% [1/169] vs 6.1% [9/147], χ2＝7.848, P＝0.005; 70.4% [119/169] vs 13.6% [20/147], χ2＝102.975, P0.001). Compared with the poor prognosis group, the proportion of directly admitted patients was significantly higher in the good prognosis (66.9% [113/169] vs 55.8% [82/147], χ2＝4.086, P＝0.043), and ODT and ORT were significantly shorter in the good prognosis group (106 [59, 214] min vs 184 [91, 281] min, Z＝3.997, P0.001; 308 [226, 389] min vs 350 [267, 453] min, Z＝2.999, P＝0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that bridging therapy, direct visit and short ODT were independent predictors of good prognosis in AIS-LVO patients with intravascular treatment. Conclusion The prognosis of referral AIS-LVO patients with intravascular treatment is poorer compared with the directly admitted patients. Bridging therapy, direct visit and short ODT indicate good prognosis in AIS-LVO patients.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Strokes with Large-Vessel Occlusion Beyond 6 Hours: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy with or without intravenous thrombolysis is indicated in the acute treatment of ischemic strokes caused by an emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) within 6 hours from symptom onset. However, a significant proportion of patients are referred to comprehensive stroke centers beyond this therapeutic time window. This study performed a pooled analysis of data from trials in which mechanical thrombectomy was performed beyond 6 hours from symptom onset. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials that compared mechanical thrombectomy with the best medical treatment beyond 6 hours for ischemic strokes due to ELVO and reported on between 1990 and April 2018. The intervention group comprised patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Statistical analysis was conducted while pooling data and analyzing fixed- or random-effects models as appropriate. RESULTS: Four trials involving 518 stroke patients met the eligibility criteria. There were 267 strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy, with a median time of 10.8 hours between when the patient was last known to be well to randomization. We observed a significant difference between groups concerning the rate of functional independence at 90 days from stroke, with an absolute difference of 27.5% (odds ratio=3.33, 95% CI=1.81–6.12, p < 0.001) and good recanalization (odds ratio=13.17, 95% CI=4.17–41.60, p < 0.001) favoring the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in selected ischemic stroke patients beyond 6 hours from symptom onset. The selection is mainly based on the limited core infarct detected by emergent assessment using neuroimaging techniques.

Clinical effect of mechanical thrombectomy for acute cerebral infarction caused by relatively small vessel occlusion / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire stent in intracerebral relatively small artery occlusions,such as the anterior cerebral artery,the posterior cerebral artery, the middle cerebral artery M2-M3. Methods The clinical data of thirteen cases of acute cerebral infarction caused by occlusion of relatively small vessels ( anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery M2-M3 ) caused by intravenous thrombolytic time window with relative small vascular occlusion in our hospital were reviewed and analyzed. The NIHSS score, occlusion of vascular recanalization,surgical complications,and clinical prognosis (3 months mRs) were analyzed before and after discharge,including 6 cases of M2-M3 occlusion in the middle cerebral artery,3 cases of anterior cerebral artery occlusion and 4 cases of posterior cerebral artery occlusion. Results In 13 cases, the time window of thrombectomy was 3. 5～7. 0 h,the time from onset to reflow was (4. 53±3. 21) h,and 13 cases of blood vessels were completely repassed,of which 11 cases were grade 3 TICI,and 2 cases of 2b grade in TICI classification. 2 cases of postoperative small lateral fissure and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The score of NIHSS was reduced from (19. 53±1. 62)points to (3. 15±0. 41)points at 2 weeks. The difference was statistically significant (t=1. 763, P<0. 01);the mRs scores of 90d were 0 points 7 cases(53. 85％),1 points 3 cases(23. 08％),2 points cases ( 23. 08％) ,death 0 case. Conclusion The patients with acute cerebral infarction caused by relatively small vascular occlusion, such as the anterior cerebral artery, the posterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery ( M2-M3) are treated with stent embolectomy in the time window. The rate of vascular repassage is high and the complications are low, and the patient′s disability rate can be significantly reduced and the clinical prognosis is better.

Current status and prospects of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for treatment of acute ;ischemic stroke / 中华急诊医学杂志

Acute ischemic stroke has already become common cause of death in our country.Until now,the intravenous thrombolysis therapy produces a limited therapeutic efficacy in patients with acute ischemic stroke,because the recanalization rate is very low in patients with large vessel occlusion,especially with interal carotid artery occlusion.As a novel modality of primary treatment,endovascular mechanical recanalization using clot removal has become a noticeably efficient intervention and a hot research focus of acute ischemic stroke.In this paper,we reviewed recent large multicenter trials of endovascular mechanical recanalization in the world.

Mechanical thrombectomy versus Intra-arterial Thrombolysis in Patients with Stroke Caused by Acute ce-rebral Arterial Occlusions：A Single-center study / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) compared with In?tra-arterial Thrombolysis (IAT) treatment in patients with severe acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large cerebral ar?tery occlusion. Method The patients with AIS caused by large cerebral artery occlusion and underwent MT or IAT from 2005 May to 2014 May was included. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the onset to emergency(OTE)time, emergency to acupuncture(ETA)time, acupuncture to recanalization (ATR) time, stroke severity as measured by the Na?tional Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and site of arterial occlusion on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). A comparison was made between MT and IAT patients in rates of recanalization, symptomatic intracranial bleed?ing (SIB), mortality, and functional outcome. Three-month favourable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score≤2. Result One hundred and two AIS patients were treated with MT and 50 with IAT. There was no differ?ence between MT and IAT groups with regard to demographics, onset NIHSS score (13.37±6.95 vs. 12.70±6.11;P=0.572) and discharge NIHSS score (8.40 ± 6.69 vs. 7.53 ± 7.28, P= 0.522) and the change of NIHSS score (3.87 ± 7.14 vs. 4.26 ± 5.42, P=0.766). There were significantly differences between MT and IAT groups in the OTE time (Median 300 min vs. 120 min,Z=-5.704,P=0.000) , ATR time (Median 30 min vs. 65 min,Z=-5.011,P=0.001) ,recanalization (91.2%vs. 60.0%,P =0.01),the rate of AIB(21.7% vs. 36.0%,P =0.046),3-month mortality (16.6% vs. 26.0%,P =0.043). The above parameters were better in MT group than in the IAT group. There were no significant differences between MT and IAT groups in the rate of SIB (12% vs. 16%,P =0.055), the NIHSS change(Median 3 vs. 4,Z =-0.236,P =0.823) and mRS score on 90d ( 48.2%vs. 46.0%, P=0.823). MT patients had significantly higher percentages of stent use (22.5%vs. 8%,P=0.018) . The Recanalization for ICA(81.8%vs. 55.6%,P=0.048),BA(93.1%vs. 55.6%,P=0.032)and MCA( 97.5% vs. 60.0%,P =0.026)was higher in MT group than in IAT group .The SIB rate for ICA(13.8% vs. 33.3%,P =0.000),BA(13.8%vs. 33.3%,P=0.000)was lower in MT group than in IAT group . The mortality rate of was significant?ly lower in MT than in IAT group for MCA (2.5%vs. 20.0%,P=0.000) . the good outcome rate for BA was higher in MT group than in IAT group(41.3%vs. 22.2%,P﹤0.01). Conclusions Compared to IAT,MT can provide broader time win?dow,higher recanalization rate and better outcome in patients with severe acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large ce?rebral artery occlusion.

Neuroprotective Effects by Nimodipine Treatment in the Experimental Global Ischemic Rat Model : Real Time Estimation of Glutamate

OBJECTIVE: Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excessive release plays a key role in the development of neuronal injury. In order to define the effect of nimodipine on glutamate release, we monitored extracellular glutamate release in real-time in a global ischemia rat model with eleven vessel occlusion. METHODS: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups: the ischemia group and the nimodipine treatment group. The changes of extracellular glutamate level were measured using microdialysis amperometric biosensor, in coincident with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and electroencephalogram. Nimodipine (0.025 microg/100 gm/min) was infused into lateral to the CBF probe, during the ischemic period. Also, we performed Nissl staining method to assess the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine. RESULTS: During the ischemic period, the mean maximum change in glutamate concentration was 133.22+/-2.57 microM in the ischemia group and 75.42+/-4.22 microM (p<0.001) in the group treated with nimodipine. The total amount of glutamate released was significantly different (p<0.001) between groups during the ischemic period. The %cell viability in hippocampus was 47.50+/-5.64 (p<0.005) in ischemia group, compared with sham group. But, the %cell viability in nimodipine treatment group was 95.46+/-6.60 in hippocampus (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: From the real-time monitoring and Nissl staining results, we suggest that the nimodipine treatment is responsible for the protection of the neuronal cell death through the suppression of extracellular glutamate release in the 11-VO global ischemia model of rat.