Administration of free radical scavenger edaravone associated with higher frequency of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with cardiogenic embolism.

Free radicals are known to activate coagulation and inhibit fibrinolysis. Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, protects vascular endothelial cells and neurons during acute brain ischemia in in vitro models. Hemorrhagic transformation and treatment outcomes were retrospectively examined in 76 patients with acute cardiogenic embolism treated with edaravone in addition to routine treatment within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Hemorrhagic transformation was categorized according to European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study-II. Patient characteristics were also evaluated, including evidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, history of smoking, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on arrival, and modified Rankin scale at 3 months post-onset. Edaravone administration was one of the factors that contributed to increased frequency of hemorrhagic transformation, but had showed no significant relationship with the outcome. The present study showed that edaravone administration increased the frequency of hemorrhagic transformation with heparin in patients with cardiogenic embolism. Free radical scavenging may have promoted the coagulating conditions. Edaravone administration may allow reduction of the dose of heparin and tissue plasminogen activator in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Dissecting posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage right after anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy against ischemic event.

BACKGROUND: Dissecting aneurysms with initial ischemic manifestations may present with subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and their treatment is controversial. This is a case report that illustrates the dilemma when dealing with an immediate post-SAH period dissecting posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm initially presenting with an ischemic event. METHODS: We present a 57-year-old man with a dissecting PICA aneurysm who had SAH right after anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy for cerebral infarction. The aneurysm was not detected by magnetic resonance angiography performed at the time of admission. RESULTS: On admission, he was treated with both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. After the SAH episode, he underwent emergent resection of the dissecting aneurysm and left OA-PICA anastomosis. CONCLUSION: If hemorrhagic transformation occurs at the site of an ischemic dissecting aneurysm, surgical or endovascular intervention should be considered immediately. Although the optimal treatment of dissecting aneurysms with ischemic onset remains controversial, anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy should not be rejected out of hand.

Efficacy of edaravone, a free radical scavenger, for the treatment of acute lacunar infarction.

The effect of edaravone as an inhibitor of ischemic brain damage in addition to routine treatment was retrospectively examined in 70 patients with lacunar infarction who were admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset. Clinical status was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The modified Rankin Scale (MRS) was used to assess clinical outcomes at 3 months after onset, with a good outcome defined as MRS score < or =2. Risk factors were also evaluated, including evidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and a history of smoking longer than 2 months. The probability of a good outcome and independence at 3 months was assessed by backward stepwise logistic regression analysis based on the maximum likelihood ratio. Administration of edaravone yielded an odds ratio with multivariate adjustment of 6.49 (95% confidence interval, 1.35 to 50.32; p < 0.05) for a good outcome at 3 months. Higher baseline NIHSS score and higher age also adversely affected the outcome at 3 months (p < 0.005). Administration of edaravone improves the outcome of patients with lacunar infarction.