Pre-Stroke Loop Diuretics and Anemia in Elderly Patients Are Associated Factors of Severe Renal Dysfunction at the Time of Acute Stroke Onset.

BACKGROUND: Severe renal dysfunction (SRD), an advanced stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), can limit the treatment options for acute stroke (AS) patients. Therefore, it is important to investigate the associated factors of SRD in AS patients to inhibit CKD progression to SRD before AS. Sex differences exist in the renal function. Therefore, we investigated the frequency of SRD and its associated factors among AS patients by sex. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study included patients admitted within 24 h of AS onset between 2013 and 2019 with available pre-stroke medication information. We used the Cockcroft-Gault equation for calculating the creatinine clearance (Ccr) and defined SRD as a Ccr < 30 mL/min. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the independent factors associated with SRD. RESULTS: Out of 4294 patients, 3472 matched our criteria. Of these, 1905 (54.9%) were male, with median ages of 75 and 81 years for males and females, respectively. The frequency of SRD was 9.7% in males and 18.7% in females. Loop diuretics and anemia were associated factors of SRD. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-stroke loop diuretics and anemia in elderly patients were associated factors of SRD in both sexes. Individualized drug therapy and anemia management are essential to prevent SRD.

Pre-Stroke Statin Use Is Associated with Mild Neurological Deficits at the Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Pre-stroke statin use reduces infarct size. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to investigate whether pre-stroke statin use is associated with mild neurological deficits (mND) at the onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We included patients with AIS admitted to our institution within 24 h of stroke onset between 2011 and 2019. We collected data on age, sex, pre-stroke use of statins, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, the serum biomarker levels, and stroke subtypes at admission. In addition, we defined mND as an NIHSS score ≤3 points. We conducted a logistic regression analysis using variables for pre-stroke statin initiation, calculated the propensity scores for pre-stroke statin use, and implemented propensity score matching (PSM). Finally, we used the McNemar test to evaluate whether pre-stroke statin administration significantly affected mND. Of 4370 patients, 2615 met our inclusion criteria. Among the 594 patients with pre-stroke statin use, 308 presented with mND. After PSM, 555 patients received pre-stroke statin treatment, while 286 patients with pre-stroke statin use presented with mND at admission (p = 0.0411). The binary matched pairs contingency table of mND was not symmetrical (p = 0.0385). Pre-stroke statin use is thus associated with mND at the onset of AIS.

Independent factors affecting hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in patients aged 40-69 years: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have common vascular risk factors; however, ICH often occurs in adults aged < 70 years. Intracerebral hemorrhage and AIS in adults aged < 70 years should be preventable; however, it is unclear why different subtypes of ICH or AIS occur among adults aged < 70 years with vascular risk factors. This study aimed to identify independent variables for ICH or AIS onset in patients aged < 70 years. METHODS: We included patients aged 40-69 years who experienced ICH or AIS between August 2016 and July 2019. Patients aged < 40 years were excluded because other diseases, rather than vascular risk factors, are often associated with stroke etiology in this age group. Data on age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum lipids, and serum fatty acid levels were compared between patients with ICH and those with AIS. In addition, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify independent factors among the variables, such as blood pressure or biomarkers, with significant differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 1252 acute stroke patients screened, 74 patients with ICH and 149 patients with AIS met the inclusion criteria. After excluding variables with multicollinearity, SBP, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) proportion (%) of total fatty acids were identified as independent factors affecting ICH and AIS. The SBP and EPA% threshold values for ICH compared to AIS were ≥ 158 mmHg and ≤ 2.3%, respectively. The HbA1c threshold value for AIS compared to ICH was ≥ 6.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and EPA%, were independent factors between ICH and AIS. Patients aged 40-69 years with high SBP and low EPA% were at a higher risk of ICH than AIS, and those with a high HbA1c were at a higher risk of AIS than ICH.

Gradual Expansion of a Stent to Prevent Periprocedural Complications after Carotid Artery Stenting for Vulnerable Severe Stenotic Lesions with Intraplaque Hemorrhages: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Vulnerable lesions with intraplaque hemorrhages are associated with a high incidence of complications following carotid artery stenting (CAS). CAS for vulnerable lesions has not been established; therefore, we gradually expand stents in such patients. This study aimed to compare the incidences of complications between gradual-expansion CAS for vulnerable lesions and standard CAS for non-vulnerable lesions. For gradual-expansion CAS, we used 3.0 or 4.0 mm balloons for minimal luminal diameters (MLDs) <2.0 or ≥2.0 mm, respectively, for pre-stenting angioplasty (SA) and did not overinflate them. By contrast, for standard CAS, we used a 4.0 mm balloon and overinflated it to 4.23 mm. A closed-cell stent was deployed, and post-SA was not performed in both groups. We evaluated the MLD before and minimal stent diameter (MSD) immediately after CAS, as well as periprocedural complications of combined stroke, death, and myocardial infarction within 30 days after CAS. In the vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups, 30 and 38 patients were analyzed, the MLDs were 0.76 and 0.96 mm before CAS, the MSDs were 2.97 mm and 3.58 mm after CAS, and the numbers of complications were 0 and 1, respectively. Gradual-expansion CAS for vulnerable lesions was as safe as standard CAS for non-vulnerable lesions.

Reduced magnetic resonance angiography signal intensity in the middle cerebral artery ipsilateral to severe carotid stenosis may be a practical index of high oxygen extraction fraction.

OBJECTIVES: Angiographic "slow flow" in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), caused by carotid stenosis, may be associated with high oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). If the MCA slow flow is associated with a reduced relative signal intensity (rSI) of the MCA on MR angiography, the reduced rSI may be associated with a high OEF. We investigated whether the MCA slow flow ipsilateral to carotid stenosis was associated with a high OEF and aimed to create a practical index to estimate the high OEF. METHODS: We included patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MRA between 2015 and 2019 to evaluate carotid stenosis. MCA slow flow by image count using DSA, MCA rSI, minimal luminal diameter (MLD) of the carotid artery, carotid artery stenosis rate (CASr), and whole-brain OEF (wb-OEF) was evaluated. When MCA slow flow was associated with a high wb-OEF, the determinants of MCA slow flow were identified, and their association with high wb-OEF was evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients met our inclusion criteria. Angiographic MCA slow flow was associated with high wb-OEF. We identified MCA rSI and MLD as determinants of angiographic MCA slow flow. The upper limits of MCA rSI and MLD for angiographic MCA slow flow were 0.89 and 1.06 mm, respectively. The wb-OEF was higher in patients with an MCA rSI ≤ 0.89 and ipsilateral MLD ≤ 1.06 mm than patients without this combination. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of reduced MCA rSI and ipsilateral narrow MLD is a straightforward index of high wb-OEF. KEY POINTS: • The whole-brain OEF in patients with angiographic slow flow in the MCA ipsilateral to high-grade carotid stenosis was higher than in patients without it. • Independent determinants of MCA slow flow were MCA relative signal intensity (rSI) on MRA or minimal luminal diameter (MLD) of the carotid stenosis. • The wb-OEF was higher in patients with an MCA rSI ≤ 0.89 and ipsilateral MLD ≤ 1.06 mm than patients without this combination.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease frequency and associated factors at admission of acute stroke.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: If non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequency is very high in stroke patients, NAFLD may be a risk factor for stroke and identifying factors of NAFLD presence may lead to stroke prevention. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether NAFLD frequency was very high and identify factors associated with NAFLD presence at acute stroke admission. METHODS: We included stroke patients aged 40 - 79 years who (1) were admitted from 2016 to 2019, within 24 h of onset; (2) underwent abdominal ultrasonography; and (3) underwent blood examination of biomarkers. We evaluated the frequency and significant factors of NAFLD presence. RESULTS: Among 1672 stroke patients, 676 patients met our inclusion criteria, and 267 patients (39.5%) had NAFLD. Compared to patients without NAFLD, patients with NAFLD were young; had high anthropometric values; high blood pressure; low aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT) ratio; high levels of liver enzymes, serum albumin, HbA1c, and serum lipids; low-density lipoprotein; high serum level of some fatty acids; and high fatty acid% of palmitic acid (PA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). After excluding variables with multicollinearity, independent NAFLD-presence factors were high body mass index (BMI), low AST/ALT ratio, high serum albumin level, high PA%, and high DGLA level. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of NAFLD was high in our patient group. Significant NAFLD-presence factors were high BMI, low AST/ALT ratio, high serum albumin level, high PA%, and high DGLA level. A further study is warranted to determine the effects of the NAFLD-presence factors on stroke onset or prevention.

Frequency of deep vein thrombosis at admission for acute stroke and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during hospitalization in patients with acute stroke. However, if DVT exists at admission, IPC of the legs with DVT may cause migration of the thrombi, resulting in pulmonary emboli. Whole-leg ultrasonography (wl-US) is a practical tool to detect DVT; however, wl-US is not always performed at admission in all stroke patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate DVT frequency and identify significant factors indicating the presence of DVT at admission for acute stroke. METHODS: We included patients admitted within 24 h of stroke onset between 2017 and 2019. Patients who did not undergo blood tests for D-dimer or wl-US within 72 h of arrival were excluded. We collected patient data on age; sex; anthropometric variables; presence of DVT on wl-US; and biomarkers such as D-dimer, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipids. RESULTS: Of 1129 acute stroke patients, 917 met our inclusion criteria. DVT was detected in 161 patients (17.6 %). Patients with DVT were older; were more likely to be female; had lower body weight; had higher D-dimer and hs-CRP levels; had lower albumin, hemoglobin, and triglyceride levels; and had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and pre-stroke modified Rankin scale scores than patients without DVT (n = 756). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sex (female) and D-dimer levels (≥ 1.52 µg/mL) were independent significant factors for the presence of DVT. Among 161 patients with DVT, 78 (48.4 %) had both these significant factors. Among 756 patients without DVT, 602 (79.6 %) had no or one significant factor. The odds ratio of the presence of DVT in patients with both significant factors was 6.29, using patients without any significant factors as the group for comparison. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of DVT is high in acute stroke patients at admission. Female sex and a high D-dimer level were independent significant factors for the presence of DVT. Therefore, in patients with these two significant factors at admission, IPC should be avoided or wl-US should be performed before IPC.

Collateral status evaluation coupled with time window by dynamic axial computed tomographic angiography with a focus on the middle cerebral artery for mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic axial computed tomographic angiography (dynax-CTA), covering a thin width, with a focus on the bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA), can quickly visualize the internal carotid artery (ICA) or MCA occlusion. We aimed to investigate whether dynax-CTA appropriately evaluated the collateral status coupled with the upper limit of the onset-to-reperfusion (OtR) time to achieve a major neurological improvement (MNI) at a 24-h follow-up examination after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: We included acute ischemic stroke patients admitted from 2018 to 2020 who underwent dynax-CTA on admission and emergent MT for ICA or MCA occlusion. We performed dynax-CTA using an 80-row CT scanner and acquired 25 volume scans, consisting of 40 images of 1-mm thickness and 4-cm width. We classified the collateral status as good, intermediate, and poor based on MCA branch opacification. We evaluated the collateral status and the upper OtR time limit to achieve MNI. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients met our inclusion criteria. Dynax-CTA findings demonstrated MCA and ICA occlusion in 30 and 18 patients, respectively. The collateral status was good, intermediate, and poor in four, 25, and 19 patients, respectively. The upper limits of the OtR time for MNI were 3.63, 8.08, and 8.67 h in patients with poor, intermediate, and intermediate or good collateral status, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dynax-CTA appropriately evaluated the collateral status coupled with the upper limit of the OtR time before performing MT.

Safety and Effectiveness of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Combined with Medical Nutrition Therapy for Hyperglycemia in Acute Stroke: A Retrospective Study.

Hyperglycemia, a predictor of poor clinical outcomes in acute stroke, must be lowered safely and promptly. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) combined with medical nutrition therapy in lowering blood glucose levels. This retrospective study included stroke patients admitted between 2014 and 2019, who (1) had glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5%, blood glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol/L at admission, (2) took their diet and drugs orally during hospitalization, (3) underwent SGLT2is pharmacotherapy after admission, and (4) underwent a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test on day 7. Patients were provided with a moderate-carbohydrate diet combined with total energy restriction. We assessed the achievement of FBG < 7 mmol/L on day 7 and the need for sulfonylurea or a long-acting insulin analog (LIA) treatment during hospitalization, which carries a risk of hypoglycemia. Fifty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Of them, 33 (64.7%) achieved the target FBG on day 7. Only eight patients were treated with a small dose of LIA; however, no patients required sulfonylurea. No dehydration occurred. SGLT2is combined with a moderate carbohydrate- and energy-restricted diet achieved the target FBG level safely, effectively, and promptly in mild stroke patients with oral ingestion.

Thoraco-Cervical Computed Tomographic Angiography to Determine an Appropriate Access Route for Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Objective: We investigated whether thoraco-cervical CTA provided useful information to determine an access route (AR) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods: We included acute stroke patients who (1) were admitted between January 2018 and December 2018 and (2) underwent MT for large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation and were able to be treated within 24 hours of the time last known to be well. We evaluated the AR, occlusion site, aortic arch (AA) type, take-off angles (TOA) between the arch and the left common carotid artery (CCA) or the brachiocephalic artery (BCA), successful insertion rate (SIR) of the guiding catheter, puncture-to-initial angiography time (PtIA), and puncture-to-reperfusion time (PtR). Results: We analyzed 32 patients: femoral-artery access (group F) in 26 and brachial-artery access (group B) in 6 patients. There were no differences in arch types between the two groups, but there were differences in occlusion sites: proximal CCA occlusion in two patients in the B group. Moreover, the TOA of the CCA was less than 25° in two patients in the B group. In the F and B groups, the SIR was 100%, the median PtIA was 9.0 and 9.6 minutes, and the median PtR was 54 and 72 minutes, respectively. Conclusion: Thoraco-cervical CTA provided useful information to determine the appropriate AR for MT. SIR of 100% and short PtIA were achieved.

Postcontrast CT to Estimate Arteriosclerotic Stenosis at the Site of Occlusion before Emergency Endovascular Treatment for Vertebral-Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Objective: Thrombectomy may be an effective therapy for vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) occlusion in addition to carotid or middle cerebral artery occlusion. Underlying arterial stenosis can be a cause of failure in thrombectomy; however, it is difficult to identify candidates with VBA occlusion before thrombectomy. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether postcontrast computed tomography (pcCT) is useful for identifying candidates with VBA occlusion for thrombectomy. Methods: In this retrospective study, we included patients who 1) were admitted to our institution between January 1, 2013, and July 1, 2019; 2) underwent pcCT; and 3) underwent emergency endovascular therapy for VBA occlusion. We defined no opacification of the top of the basilar artery (BA) in reconstructed coronal images of pcCT scans as distal BA occlusion and opacification of the top of the BA as distal BA open. We assessed the presence of underlying arterial stenosis at the site of occlusion according to angiographic findings during endovascular procedures. We also evaluated the relationship between the distal BA findings and the presence of underlying arterial stenosis. Results: Thirty-two patients met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Among 19 patients with distal BA occlusion, none (0%) had ischemic stroke with underlying arterial stenosis. Among 13 patients with distal BA open, 4 (31%) were diagnosed with ischemic stroke without underlying arterial stenosis and 9 (69%) with underlying arterial stenosis (p <0.001). Conclusion: Distal basilar-artery findings in reconstructed coronal postcontrast CT images were useful for identifying candidates with VBA occlusion for thrombectomy.

Computed tomography angiographic anatomical features for successful transbrachial insertion of a balloon guide catheter for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: When the femoral approach for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is limited, trans-brachial or-radial access is an alternative. However, transbrachial insertion of a 9Fr (outer diameter [OD]) balloon guide catheter (BGC) into the carotid artery is not feasible. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography (CTA) may provide vascular anatomical information for successful insertion. We investigated CTA anatomical features for successful transbrachial insertion of a 9Fr BGC into the carotid artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed AIS patients who underwent CTA and transbrachial MT using a 9Fr BGC between 2014 and 2016. We evaluated the successful insertion rate and CT angiographic anatomical features. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients met our inclusion criteria. We achieved successful insertion in 18 (75%) of 24 cases: 7 (58.3%) of 12 for left carotid arteries and 11 (91.7%) of 12 for right carotid arteries. Successful insertion was achieved in 4 of 4 bovine aortic arch for left carotid occlusion and in 3 of 8 nonbovine aortic arches for left carotid occlusion. We achieved successful insertion in 3 nonbovine cases with takeoff angles ≥23° and failed insertion in 5 cases with takeoff angles <23°. We achieved successful insertion in 10 of the 10 cases with takeoff angles ≥25° in the right common carotid artery. The BGC was broken in 1 of 2 cases with takeoff angles <25°. CONCLUSIONS: The CTA provided a high likelihood of successful 9Fr OD BGC insertion without an introducer sheath. Successful transbrachial insertion was achieved in bovine left carotid cases, in nonbovine left carotid cases with takeoff angles ≥23°, and in right carotid cases with takeoff angles ≥25°.

Features of Serum Fatty Acids at Acute Ischemic Stroke Onset in Statin-Treated Patients with Hypercholesterolemia.

In addition to diet therapy, statins are used to prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with hypercholesterolemia (HC). However, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) still occurs in statin-treated patients. How strictly statin-treated patients follow diet therapy before they experience AIS and whether they increase seafood consumption remains unknown. We investigated the serum concentrations and proportions (weight percentages: wt %) of fatty acids (FAs) at AIS onset in statin-treated patients (statin group), compared to those in non-treated patients with HC (6.465 mmol/L or higher) as controls (non-treated group). We included patients with AIS admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of AIS onset who underwent analysis of serum FAs. During the study period, 188 patients met the inclusion criteria: 133 in the statin group and 55 in the non-treated group. Interestingly, serum FA concentrations in the statin group were lower than those in the non-treated group. However, serum FA wt % in the statin group was almost identical to that in the non-treated group. In conclusion, statin-treated AIS patients had low FA concentrations and identical FA wt %, compared to non-treated AIS patients with HC.

Association of Serum Fatty Acids at Admission with the Age of Onset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Dietary triglycerides influence the serum concentrations of fatty acids (FA) and their weight percentages (wt%), which might be associated with the age of onset of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated the correlation between serum FA levels and proportions at admission, and the age at onset of ICH. We included patients admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of the onset of ICH, and calculated the correlation coefficients between their age, serum FA concentration, and FA wt%. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to identify individual FAs related to the age at onset of ICH. Furthermore, we estimated the threshold values of FAs that were independently associated with the age at onset of ICH <65 years, using receiver operating characteristic curves by logistic regression. Our inclusion criteria were met by 141 patients (mean age, 67 years). The concentration of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and the wt% of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were significant independent variables for the age at onset of ICH. The ROC curves for the age of onset <65 years were ≥108.6 µmol/L for DGLA and ≤1.7% for EPA. Increased DGLA concentration and decreased EPA wt% were significantly associated with young-onset ICH.

Association of Serum Fatty Acids at Admission with the Age of Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Dietary triglycerides influence fatty acid (FA) serum concentrations and weight percentages (wt %), which may be associated with the age of onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated the correlations between serum FA levels and proportions at admission and the age of onset of AIS. We evaluated patients with AIS admitted between 2016 and 2019 within 24 h of AIS onset and calculated the correlation coefficients between their ages, serum FA concentrations, and FA wt % values. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent FAs indicating AIS age of onset. Furthermore, we estimated the threshold values of independent FAs for age of onset <60 years using receiver operating characteristic curves by logistic regression. A total of 525 patients (median age: 75 years) met the inclusion criteria. The concentration of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wt % of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were significant independent variables for age of onset of AIS, and receiver operating characteristic curves for age of onset <60 years showed thresholds of ≥117.7 µmol/L for DGLA and ≤3.7% for DHA. An increased DGLA concentration and decreased DHA wt % were significantly associated with onset of AIS at a younger age.

Quick and effective improvement of leucine enriched dietary supplement on malnutrition in acute stroke patients receiving enteral tube feeding.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition often occurs in acute stroke patients receiving enteral tube feeding (ETF). Unless malnutrition is improved, their clinical outcome is poor. However, strategies to improve malnutrition in these patients have not been established. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) may enhance protein synthesis and attenuate inflammation. Our study aimed to investigate whether a leucine enriched BCAA dietary supplement (LEBDs) could quickly increase serum levels of albumin (Alb) or transthyretin (TTR) and decrease high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in the development of severe malnutrition within a few days after stroke onset compared to standard BCAA dietary supplement (SBDs). METHODS: We retrospectively included acute stroke patients who: 1) were admitted between August 2016 and July 2017; 2) underwent ETF for 7 days or longer after admission, and 3) underwent blood examination of Alb, TTR, and CRP on admission, the fifth day and the seventh day. We defined severe malnutrition as severe hypoproteinemia: decrease of TTR to less than 15 mg/dl on the 5th day. In LEBDs and SBDs groups, patients started to receive a dietary supplement containing leucine of 1.44 and 0. 72 g twice a day on the fifth day, respectively. We evaluated Alb (g/dl), TTR (mg/dl), and CRP (mg/dl) on admission, the fifth day, and the seventh day. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients met our inclusion criteria:15 in LEBDs and 14 in SBDs. In LEBDs and SBDs groups, the median Alb was 3.5 and 3.3 g/dl, TTR was 12.7 and 10.7 mg/dl, and CRP was 1.02 and 0.673 mg/dl on admission, respectively. In LEBDs, the median Alb and TTR decreased to 2.6 g/dl and 11.9 mg/dl, and CRP increased to 5.337 mg/dl on the fifth day. On the 7th day, TTR increased, and CRP decreased, although Alb did not improve. In SBDs, the median Alb and TTR decreased to 2.6 g/dl and 9.7 mg/dl, and CRP increased to 4.077 mg/dl on the fifth day. On the 7th day, Alb, TTR, and CRP did not improve. CONCLUSION: In acute stroke patients receiving leucine enriched BCAA dietary supplement, quick improvements in transthyretin and CRP were observed.

Features of serum fatty acids in acute ischaemic stroke patients aged 50 years or older.

BACKGROUND: Serum fatty acid (s-FA) compositions and their correlation with serum lipids (s-LPs) such as total cholesterol (T-CHO) and triglycerides (TG) have been reported in healthy young subjects. However, little is known about such features in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). The aim of our study was to investigate s-FA characteristics and their correlation with AIS in elderly patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients aged 50 years or older who were admitted between September 2015 and March 2017 within 24 h of the first AIS onset. We evaluated concentrations and compositions of s-FAs and their association with s-LPs, age, and ischaemic stroke subtypes, including large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small-vessel occlusion (SVO), and cardioembolism (CE) or others. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Their average age was 74.4 years, mean T-CHO and median TG were 203.4 and 94.5 mg/dl, respectively, and median or mean concentrations of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OlA), linoleic acid (LiA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 680.7, 602.5, 795.2, and 136.9 µg/ml, respectively, with mean compositions of 23.7, 21.3, 27.1, and 4.4%, respectively. PA, OlA, and LiA concentrations were weakly negatively associated with age and positively correlated with TG. In LAA or SVO (LAA_SVO) and CE or others (CE_O), mean age was 71.9 and 77.4 years (p < 0.001), mean T-CHO was 213.9 and 191.2 mg/dl (p < 0.0001), median TG was 106.5 and 88.5 mg/dl (p < 0.01), median PA was 717.2 and 648.4 µg/ml (p < 0.01), median OlA was 638.2 and 567.5 µg/ml (p < 0.01), and median LiA was 844.7 and 728.5 µg/ml (p < 0.01), respectively. DHA composition was weakly positively correlated with age. There were no differences in PA, OlA, LiA, and DHA compositions between LAA_SVO and CE_O. CONCLUSIONS: In AIS elderly patients, concentrations, rather than compositions of PA, OlA, and LiA, correlated with age, TG, and ischaemic stroke subtypes. Patients with LAA_SVO were younger and had higher concentrations of PA, OlA, and LiA than those with CE_O. There were no differences in such compositions between LAA_SVO and CE_O.

A practical protocol for shortening reconstruction time of volumetric data and imaging bilateral middle cerebral arteries for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke using an 80-row computed tomography scanner.

Time-consuming reconstruction of volumetric data by area-detector-computed tomography (ADCT) scanning and narrow coverage of small-row ADCT may hinder volumetric scanning in acute stroke stage. To design a practical protocol of volumetric scanning for thrombectomy using an 80-row ADCT. An imaging protocol that focuses on the middle cerebral arteries by tilting the gantry of an 80-row ADCT with 0.5-mm-thick detectors can shorten the reconstruction time by 1.0-mm thickness scanning without subtraction. The reconstruction time of small volumetric data was 69 second. This practical protocol is applicable before thrombectomy in different stroke centres with narrow-coverage ADCT scanners.

Clinical and Radiological Difficulties to Detect Isolated MCA Dissection before Intravenous tPA Therapy.

A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital 48 minutes after sudden onset of dysphasia and right hemiplegia. Head computed tomography revealed small infarcts in the left putamen and 4-dimensional computed tomography angiography depicted high-degree stenosis in the left middle cerebral artery and delayed filling of the contrast media in the left middle cerebral artery territory. The patient underwent intravenous tissue plasminogen activator treatment. On day 5 of hospitalization, the patient underwent conventional cerebral angiography, revealing internal carotid artery to middle cerebral artery dissection. Fortunately, subarachnoid hemorrhage as an adverse effect did not occur, although iv-tPA was administered without detecting middle cerebral artery dissection.