Angioplasty in acute middle cerebral artery stroke due to atrial fibrillation selected by CT perfusion: a case report

We report the experience of a case of acute stroke in a patient affected by Rendu Osler syndrome and atrial fibrillation. The combination of dynamic computerized tomography perfusion scans and the use of a high-compliance balloon allowed increasing the treatment window for intra-arterial recanalization over 6 h after stroke onset in a patient with middle cerebral artery occlusion

European research priorities for intracerebral haemorrhage

Over 2 million people are affected by intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) worldwide every year, one third of them dying within 1 month, and many survivors being left with permanent disability. Unlike most other stroke types, the incidence, morbidity and mortality of ICH have not declined over time. No standardised diagnostic workup for the detection of the various underlying causes of ICH currently exists, and the evidence for medical or surgical therapeutic interventions remains limited. A dedicated European research programme for ICH is needed to identify ways to reduce the burden of ICH-related death and disability. The European Research Network on Intracerebral Haemorrhage EURONICH is a multidisciplinary academic research collaboration that has been established to define current research priorities and to conduct large clinical studies on all aspects of ICH. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Sensitivity and specificity of the Hyperdense Artery Sign for arterial obstruction in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In acute ischemic stroke, the Hyperdense Artery Sign (HAS) on non-contrast CT is thought to represent intra-luminal thrombus and therefore is a surrogate of arterial obstruction. We sought to assess the accuracy of HAS as a marker of arterial obstruction by thrombus. METHODS: The Third International Stroke Trial (IST-3) was a randomized controlled trial testing use of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in patients who did not clearly meet the prevailing license criteria. Some participating IST-3 centers routinely performed CT or MR angiography (CTA and MRA, respectively) at baseline. One reader assessed all relevant scans independently, blinded to all other data; we checked observer reliability. We combined IST-3 data with a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies that assessed the accuracy of HAS using angiography (any modality). RESULTS: IST-3 had 273 patients with baseline CTA or MRA and was the largest study of HAS accuracy. The meta-analysis (n=902+273=1175, including IST-3) found sensitivity and specificity of HAS for arterial obstruction on angiography to be 52% and 95%, respectively. HAS was more commonly identified in proximal than distal arteries (47% versus 37%, p=0.015), and its sensitivity increased with thinner CT slices (r=−0.73, p=0.001). Neither extent of obstruction nor time after stroke influenced HAS accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: When present in acute ischemic stroke, HAS indicates a high likelihood of arterial obstruction, but its absence indicates only a 50/50 chance of normal arterial patency. Thin-slice CT improves sensitivity of HAS detection

Prospective study on the mismatch concept in acute stroke patients within the first 24 h after symptom onset - 1000Plus study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mismatch between diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) lesion and perfusion imaging (PI) deficit volumes has been used as a surrogate of ischemic penumbra. This pathophysiology-orientated patient selection criterion for acute stroke treatment may have the potential to replace a fixed time window. Two recent trials - DEFUSE and EPITHET - investigated the mismatch concept in a multicenter prospective approach. Both studies randomized highly selected patients (n = 74/n = 100) and therefore confirmation in a large consecutive cohort is desirable. We here present a single-center approach with a 3T MR tomograph next door to the stroke unit, serving as a bridge from the ER to the stroke unit to screen all TIA and stroke patients. Our primary hypothesis is that the prognostic value of the mismatch concept is depending on the vessel status. Primary endpoint of the study is infarct growth determined by imaging, secondary endpoints are neurological deficit on day 5-7 and functional outcome after 3 months.</p> <p>Methods and design</p> <p>1000Plus is a prospective, single centre observational study with 1200 patients to be recruited. All patients admitted to the ER with the clinical diagnosis of an acute cerebrovascular event within 24 hours after symptom onset are screened. Examinations are performed on day 1, 2 and 5-7 with neurological examination including National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scoring and stroke MRI including T2*, DWI, TOF-MRA, FLAIR and PI. PI is conducted as dynamic susceptibility-enhanced contrast imaging with a fixed dosage of 5 ml 1 M Gadobutrol. For post-processing of PI, mean transit time (MTT) parametric images are determined by deconvolution of the arterial input function (AIF) which is automatically identified. Lesion volumes and mismatch are measured and calculated by using the perfusion mismatch analyzer (PMA) software from ASIST-Japan. Primary endpoint is the change of infarct size between baseline examination and day 5-7 follow up.</p> <p>Discussions</p> <p>The aim of this study is to describe the incidence of mismatch and the predictive value of PI for final lesion size and functional outcome depending on delay of imaging and vascular recanalization. It is crucial to standardize PI for future randomized clinical trials as for individual therapeutic decisions and we expect to contribute to this challenging task.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>clinicaltrials.gov NCT00715533</p

Translational Stroke Research Using a Rabbit Embolic Stroke Model: A Correlative Analysis Hypothesis for Novel Therapy Development

Alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator, tPA) is currently the only FDA-approved treatment that can be given to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients if patients present within 3 h of an ischemic stroke. After 14 years of alteplase clinical research, evidence now suggests that the therapeutic treatment window can be expanded 4.5 h, but this is not formally approved by the FDA. Even though there remains a significant risk of intracerebral hemorrhage associated with alteplase administration, there is an increased chance of favorable outcome with tPA treatment. Over the last 30 years, the use of preclinical models has assisted with the search for new effective treatments for stroke, but there has been difficulty with the translation of efficacy from animals to humans. Current research focuses on the development of new and potentially useful thrombolytics, neuroprotective agents, and devices which are also being tested for efficacy in preclinical and clinical trials. One model in particular, the rabbit small clot embolic stroke model (RSCEM) which was developed to test tPA for efficacy, remains the only preclinical model used to gain FDA approval of a therapeutic for stroke. Correlative analyses from existing preclinical translational studies and clinical trials indicate that there is a therapeutic window ratio (ARR) of 2.43-3 between the RSCEM and AIS patients. In conclusion, the RSCEM can be used as an effective translational tool to gauge the clinical potential of new treatments

Perfil do cirurgião de coluna brasileiro

OBJECTIVE: To conduct cross-sectional study identifying the profile of the Brazilian spinal surgeon. METHODS: Data were collected through a questionnaire with multiple alternatives during two major events for spine surgery at national level in 2011, the Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Coluna (Congress of the Brazilian Spine Society) and Simpósio Internacional de Coluna (International Spine Symposium, SINCOL). The data were submitted to statistical analysis comparing and stratifying the information obtained according to the profile. RESULTS: We obtained 182 questionnaires answered by orthopedists and neurosurgeons with peculiarities and similarities on their medical management. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this study may be important for the development of health policies in the spine surgery in Brazil.OBJETIVO: Llevar a cabo estudio transversal para identificar el perfil del cirujano de columna en Brasil. MÉTODOS: Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de cuestionarios con opciones múltiples, en dos eventos de relevancia para la cirugía de columna vertebral, a nivel nacional en 2011, Congreso Brasileño de la Sociedad Brasileña de Columna (SBC) y el Simposio Internacional de Columna (SINCOL). Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico, comparándose y estratificándose las informaciones obtenidas, de acuerdo con el perfil encontrado. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron cuestionarios respondidos por 182 ortopedistas y neurocirujanos, con particularidades y similitudes en sus actividades médicas. CONCLUSIONES: Los datos obtenidos en este estudio pueden ser importantes para el desarrollo de políticas de salud en el área de la cirugía de columna en Brasil.OBJETIVO: Realizar estudo transversal identificando o perfil do cirurgião de coluna no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram coletados dados por meio de questionários com múltiplas alternativas, em dois eventos de relevância para a cirurgia de coluna no âmbito nacional em 2011, o Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Coluna (SBC) e o Simpósio Internacional de Coluna (SINCOL). Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística comparando e estratificando as informações obtidas conforme o perfil encontrado. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos 182 questionários respondidos por ortopedistas e neurocirurgiões com particularidades e semelhanças em suas condutas médicas. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados obtidos nessa pesquisa podem ser importantes para o desenvolvimento de políticas de saúde na área de cirurgia de coluna no Brasil.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaSciEL