Brain natriuretic peptide upon admission as a biological marker of short-term mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is associated with short-term mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 271 patients (median age 72 years; 109 females) who were admitted within 24 h of ICH onset between April 2007 and July 2011 and in whom plasma BNP levels were measured upon admission. The patients were assigned to two groups according to survival within 1 month of ICH. Factors associated with mortality were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Within 1 month of ICH, 48 (17.7%) of the 271 enrolled patients died. The median (interquartile range) level of plasma BNP was significantly higher in the group of non-survivors than in the group of survivors [102.5 (48.7-205.0) vs. 32.4 (17.3-85.0) pg/ml; p < 0.001]. A cutoff BNP level of 60.0 pg/ml could predict death within 1 month of ICH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a plasma BNP of >60.0 pg/ml (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.43-15.63; p = 0.011) was independently associated with mortality within 1 month after ICH. CONCLUSIONS: A high BNP level upon admission is associated with mortality within 1 month after ICH.

Dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysm originating from atherosclerosis: an autopsy case.

We herein report an unusual case of profound brain infarction of the posterior circulation due to a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysm (DVDA) originating from atherosclerosis. On autopsy, diffuse atherosclerosis was observed with a multi-fusiform aneurysm measuring 1 to 2 cm in diameter ranging from the left vertebral artery to the basilar artery. The microscopic findings of the aneurysm revealed severe stenosis of the artery caused by intimal thickening, intimal flap formation and thrombosis, indicating the presence of a dissecting aneurysm originating from atherosclerosis. The DVDA observed in this case was considered to be slowly progressive and associated with the development of atherosclerosis. The etiology of structural destabilization in patients with DVDA involves rupture of the internal elastic lamina, which is dislodged by massive hematomas that form atheromatous lesions.

Transoral carotid ultrasonography using a micro convex probe with B-flow imaging for extracranial internal carotid artery dissection.

We report on transoral carotid ultrasonography using a micro convex probe with B-flow imaging for determining spontaneous extracranial internal carotid artery dissection just below the petrous portion. A 49-year-old man suffered cortical and subcortical infarction in the region of the right middle cerebral artery. Magnetic resonance angiography on the third day of admission revealed spontaneous recanalization of the right internal carotid artery associated with an intimal flap-like structure at the petrous portion. Transoral carotid ultrasonography using a micro convex probe revealed right extracranial internal carotid artery dissection, showing an increased diameter of the right extracranial internal carotid artery with double lumen formation, stenosis of the true lumen, and a mobile intimal flap in B-flow imaging. Transoral carotid ultrasonography using a micro convex probe was helpful to attempt a self-expanding stent for recanalizing right extracranial internal carotid artery dissection. The patient recovered and was discharged ambulatory. The size of the micro convex probe was optimum for transoral carotid ultrasonography in our patient. Micro convex probe is more commonly used than the standard transoral carotid ultrasonography probe, which lacks versatility. We consider that transoral carotid ultrasonography using a micro convex probe could be routinely used for ultrasonographic evaluation of extracranial internal carotid artery dissection.