[A case of transient ischemic attack of hemodynamic origin induced by postprandial hypotension].

An 82-year-old man had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) with symptoms of consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis while resting in a sitting position after breakfast. His symptoms improved around 1 h after onset when he lied in a supine position and received intravenous hydration. Duplex carotid ultrasonography revealed severe stenosis of the left common carotid artery. A decrease in the brain perfusion reserve was confirmed by acetazolamide-stress brain perfusion scintigraphy. Moreover, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring revealed a reduction in systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg after each meal, indicating postprandial hypotension (PPH). The PPH was improved by oral administration of α-glucosidase inhibitor without any subsequent recurrences of TIA. The patient was diagnosed with TIA of hemodynamic origin that was induced by PPH and exhibited severe carotid stenosis. PPH is common in elderly people, and it should be recognized as a significant trigger for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

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.

Association between the intima-media thickness of the brachiocephalic trunk and white matter hyperintensity in brain MRI.

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) can be measured using duplex carotid ultrasonography, which is used for imaging the common carotid artery (CCA). However, the clinical significance of the BCT-IMT has not been studied. We reviewed 1109 stroke-free participants in the registry of the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association. We compared the association between the BCT-IMT or the CCA-IMT with deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH). The BCT-IMT was correlated with the CCA-IMT, and like CCA-IMT, it increased with advancing age. The increase in both the BCT-IMT and the CCA-IMT quartiles was correlated with the development of DSWMH. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that, as observed for the CCA-IMT, the increase in the BCT-IMT was associated with a higher prevalence of significant DSWMH (Fazekas grade 2 or 3 per 0.1 mm increase in IMT; OR 1.02, 95% confidence interval 1-1.04; P=0.04). The increase in quartiles of the BCT-IMT was only associated with a higher prevalence of significant DSWMH in subjects with lower CCA-IMT (1st and 2nd quartiles, R(2)=0.18, P<0.05) but not in subjects with higher CCA-IMT (3rd and 4th quartiles). Combinations of the CCA-IMT and BCT-IMT quartiles failed to have an additive effect on the prevalence of significant DSWMH. The BCT-IMT has a similar clinical profile to the CCA-IMT in terms of its association with DSWMH. However, the CCA-IMT and the BCT-IMT did not predict DSWMH in an additive manner, and distinct mechanisms might underlie the observed thickening of the IMT in the CCA and BCT.

High glycated hemoglobin levels and intracranial artery stenosis are predictive factors for early motor worsening events in patients with penetrating artery infarction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify typical clinical characteristics to predict early motor worsening (EMW) of patients with penetrating artery infarction. METHODS: We reviewed 65 consecutive patients with pure motor hemiparesis, sensorimotor stroke, and ataxic hemiparesis. EMW was defined as deterioration by ≥1 point on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for motor function within 5 days of admission. RESULTS: EMW was observed in 22 patients (34%). HbA1c levels were higher in patients with EMW than in those without EMW (7.9 ± 2.6 vs. 6.3 ± 1.6%; p < 0.01). The percentage of EMW patients with intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) was greater than that of non-EMW patients with ICAS (13/22 patients, 59% vs. 8/43 patients, 19%; p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that HbA1c levels ≥7.0% (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-6.8; p < 0.005) or ICAS (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.8; p < 0.05) increased the risk of EMW, and the combination of these factors increased the risk in an additive manner (OR 7.6, 95% CI 2.5-40; p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: HbA1c levels ≥7.0% and/or ICAS in patients with penetrating artery infarction are associated with EMW.

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.

Blood pressure changes during the initial week after different subtypes of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in the acute blood pressure course among different ischemic stroke subtypes. METHODS: We divided 588 consecutive patients with acute brain infarction into four clinical subgroups to study the blood pressure levels during the initial 6 hospital days. RESULTS: During the 6 days, systolic blood pressure of lacunar and atherothrombotic patients was higher (P=0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure of lacunar patients was higher (P=0.0371) than of patients with the other subtypes. Preexisting hypertension was associated with elevated acute systolic blood pressure in all patients and in each subtype and with elevated acute diastolic blood pressure in all patients, cardioembolic patients, and patients with stroke of other etiology. After adjustment by preexisting hypertension, diabetes mellitus with a hemoglobin A1c >7.0% was associated with elevated systolic blood pressure in all, lacunar, and cardioembolic patients and with diastolic blood pressure in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure course of patients sustaining acute stroke varied widely according to stroke subtypes. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, as well as preexisting hypertension, appeared to influence blood pressure during the initial week of stroke.